Gogen Yamaguchi founded karate at Ritsumeikan University just prior to meeting Chojun Miyagi in 1929 on one of his visits to Japan. Later he trained under Takeo Murata, a Naha-te stylist. His first formal training was in Jigen Ryu kenjutsu, the style of the Satsuma samurai who invaded Okinawa in 1609. Gogen Yamaguchi, who was also known by his nickname 'The Cat', was born on January 21st, 1909. Gogen Yamaguchi Gogen Yamaguchi studied with Chojun Miyagi and went on to promote the style in Japan. Upon Master Miyagi's death in 1953, Master Gogen Yamaguchi became the successor to the Goju school. Master Yamaguchi received the 10th Degree Red Belt (master's rank) and is the highest rank in the Goju system. Later, in 1963, the Miyagi family presented Sensei Miyagi's gi and belt to Meitoku Yagi, officially making him the head of the Goju-Ryu system. Meitoku Yagi formed the Meibukan, while Sensei Toguchi formed the Shorei-kan, and Eiichi Miyazato formed the Jundokan. Seiko Higa carried on as Sensei Miyagi's immediate successor. Following his death, four of his senior students opened their own schools. Sensei Miyagi died on Octoat the age of 65. Dynamic tension and breathing are major elements in its training and is incorporated in many of the katas. Goju-Ryu is a close range system, characterized by circular blocks, joint manipulations and kicking techniques to lower body targets. Although he was born into a rich family of noble class, all his material inheritance was used for the promotion of karate do. He literally devoted his life to the art of karate do.

Master Miyagi started teaching karate in public schools and other public establishments. This was an advanced stage of instruction, where only self-defense techniques were taught to selected individuals. He established the Goju school, the first instructional organization in the field of martial arts.

Returning from intense study in China, Master Miyagi decided to organize a systematical instruction of the art of karate do. Breathing methods are used by different martial arts schools, however, they are not quite the same as those of Goju. The breathing aspect is one exercise that distinguishes the Goju school from all others. Master Miyagi was particularly interested in the breathing exercise of the Zen monks. Other Chinese influences include Pakua Chang, I Chuan, and Tai Chi Chuan, which Sensei Miyagi studied on several trips to the Chinese mainland. The Goju-Ryu style is a blend of Okinawan Te (Hard) and Shoalin Kung Fu (Soft), with emphasis on the White Crane style. Go' means Hard, and 'Ju' means Soft, while Ryu means way or Way of Life, hence the Goju-Ryu translation indicating the Hard & Soft Way of Life'. He studied under Kanryo Higaonna, the founder of Naha-te. Chojun Miyagi was born on Apin Naha, Okinawa. Goju was founded in the late 1920's by Chojun Miyagi.

Chojun miyagi