In 1929, Gogen Yamaguchi, a student of kenjutsu (sword techniques) and Naha-te, invited Master Miyagi to japan to demonstrate his style. Both men were impressed with each other and soon Yamaguchi became the representative of Master Miyagi’s Okinawan style in Japan. This style was not formally named and registered as Goju Ryu until 1933. When one of his senior students (Jinan Shinzato) was asked the name of his style after a tournament demonstration, Master Miyagi’s response was to quote a line from his favorite martial arts poem: “the way of inhaling and exhaling is hardness (Go) and softness (Ju).”
Master Miyagi was committed to teaching the martial arts and received government awards for his contributions in the field of physical culture. He established the Gekisai kata as a tool to teach beginning students and wrote on the philosophy and techniques of Karate-do (the way of Karate).
Upon Master Miyagi’s death, Gogen Yamaguchi became the head of Goju Ryu in Japan. In Okinawa, Goju Ryu moved in several directions as four of Master Miyagi’s top students (Seiko Higa, Meitoku Yagi, Seikichi Toguchi, and Eiichi Miyazato) began to teach their own interpretations of the martial art. Each of these paths of Goju Ryu remains active today.
Master Yamaguchi (1909-1989) established the International Karate-do Goju-Kai to promote the study of Japanese Goju Ryu. Nicknamed “the cat” for his graceful movements and mane of long hair, Master Yamaguchi (10th dan Red Belt) was recognized by his peers as one of the greatest Karate masters of Japan. Although Master Yamaguchi studied such martial arts as judo, kendo, iaido (sword drawing), jodo (staff), and kusarigama (sickle and chain), Karate-do captured most of his enthusiasm.
Master Yamaguchi is the founder of what might be called “modern Karate,” an advanced stage which combines technical expertise with an emphasis on the importance of Karate-do to society. On the technical side, Master Yamaguchi unified Karate exercise through a well-organized method of kata and fighting skills. He originated Jiyu-Kumite (free style sparring) both as a means to learn application of technique and to allow the individual’s free expression of the art. The concept of Jiyu-Kumite has spread to other styles of Karate and is responsible for increasing the popularity of the martial arts around the world. From a social point of view, Master Yamaguchi has instructed people from all walks of life. His emphasis on Karate as an educational tool can be seen from the first Karate club, he established at Japan’s Ritsumeikan University in 1929.
Through Master Yamaguchi’s efforts, the art of Karate has been recognized as a path to create active and responsible members of society. The emperor of Japan presented Master Yamaguchi with an award in honor of his contributions and achievements. Since his death, Master Yamaguchi’s children (especially his sons Gosei and Gosen) have carried on the leadership of the Goju-Kai system