All Gojuryu Network - JKF Gojukai

We all share the same roots in our lineage of Gojuryu. Many of us come from branches that have grown differently. Some branches have grown strong and some are weak however it is not in our hands to criticize one from the other.

Very few of these branches had seen the original sprout however all did come from the same seed and are capable of producing fruit, new and different branches and even new trees. Some of the trees will not fall far from the ground whereas others may take up root far away in another land. Some will spread additional fruit and others will return to the Earth never reproducing; and some branches will become a major branch receiving a different part of the sunlight and producing a different flavour fruit.

"Shuha Rei" is the respectful gesture of teaching modified methods, instilling personal or regional ideas, experimenting with new techniques according to science available in your particular time period, creating a new branch while changing it to fit your needs and criteria in your particular art.

What is JKF Gojukai?
The original JKF Gojukai was established under Gogen Yamaguchi, the first president, in 1950. As of April 2nd, 1972 - With the establishment of Japan Karatedo Federation, Shozo Ujita Shihan and others modified its organization into JKF Gojukai.

Karatedo in Okinawa can be broadly divided into two sects, Nahate 那覇手 and Shurite. The most popular school of Nahate 那覇手 is Gojuryu, which is a strain of Chinese Nanpa Shorin-ken. In 1930, a Bujutsu practitioner of Nahate [also called Te] Chojun Miyagi Sensei named his schools style "Gojuryu". He cited a line to name his school from "Bubishi" which is a traditional book of Shorin-ken Hakkaku-mon in Fujian province, China.

Chojun Miyagi introduced a modern point of view into conventional meditation and health program and developed Junbi Undo, or preparation exercise which was produced for improving your health, and Hojo Undo, or supplementary exercise which is practiced with equipment from an early stage of school's development. He developed rational system of training. Junbi Undo and Hojo Undo are still actively used in todays dojo without many changes. Chojun Miyagi passed away in 1953 leaving no 'official' leader in charge. In August, 1973 - a tournament [Shiai] for paying homage to 20th anniversary of Chojun Miyagi Sensei's death was held in Okinawa. On August 21. 1983 - a tournament [Shiai] for paying homage to 30th anniversary of Chojun Miyagi's death was held in Okinawa. Please see the Chronology at www.gojuryu.net for additional information.

The basic Kata Sanchin, Kaishu or open hand Kata Gekisai 1 and 2, Heishu or closed hand Kata Tensho, authentic Kata of Kanryo Higaona Sensei such as Saifa, Seiyunchin, Shisochin, Sanseiru, Seipai, Kururunfa, Seisan and Superinpei are instructed in the style of Gojuryu. In November, 1974 - 4 basic Kata Sanchin, Tensho, Saifa and Seiyunchin were standardized by the JKF Gojukai and approved as the standardized Kata in many other organizations as well. In 1980 it was decided that the rest of 8 Kata (Gekisai 1 and 2, Shisochin, Sanseiru, Seisan, Seipai, Kururunfa and Superinpei) were also standardized.

It is said that Sanchin is the basic Kata of Gojuryu to study "Ki, Soku and Tai" which are necessary factors of martial arts, and this is a basic Kata for training to learn right breathing and posture for massive attack and defense techniques. The founder Chojun Miyagi studied Rokkish from Chinese boxing Nan-ha Shorin-ken Hakkaku-ken and developed Tensho as Heishu Kata. Tensho aims to study "Ki, Soku and Tai" as same as Sanchin and several Uke techniques and attacking techniques by Shotei are featuring.

Copyright Notes and Warning ©
The 'Gojuryu Fist' is used by Gojuryu practitioners around the world and is the recognized symbol of Japanese Goju Ryu. The slightly altered Goju Ryu Fist as used by the JKF Gojukai has legal status of use in Japan and Hong Kong by the association known as 'JKF Gojukai' and was altered to not include the flags at the bottom of the logo as well as only to read JKF on the top line and 剛柔会 on the bottom.

In and of the United States, the clenched fist design [although used worldwide with and without permission] is the intellectual property of Mr. N. Gosei Yamaguchi of the United States, and was first registered with the United States Patent Office on March 9th, 1971 (Registration number 909827). His Father, Gogen Yamaguchi of Japan, modeled the logo design after the right hand fist of Chojun Miyagi of Okinawa, in the early 1930's as the emblem of the Ritsumeikan University Karatedo club in Japan.

On December 5, 1970 the following statement was printed in the first USA Gojukai Kai newsletter. "Legal action to patent the 'Gojuryu fist' and thereby forbid under penalty of law all non-authorized Organizations has been initiated in Washington, D.C. The patent application was filed with the U.S. Department of Commerce on March 2, 1970. The patent designation, which includes both the name 'Gojukai' and the 'Clenched Fist', is series number 352,730".

The original “Goju Ryu Fist” is used by Gojuryu practitioners around the world and is the recognized symbol of Japanese Gojuryu. Withing the United States, its use is EXCLUSIVE to current members of N. Gosei Yamaguchi's "Gojukai USA" also known as "USA Gojukai".

In Japan, H. Goshi Yamaguchi presides over use and representative ownership of the original "Gojuryu Fist" design. Its use is EXCLUSIVE to current members of the International Karatedo Gojukai Association [IKGA], the Japan Karatedo Gojukai Association [JKGA].

The slightly altered Gojuryu Fist as used by the JKF Gojukai has legal status of use in Japan, Hong Kong, Australia and Singapore; by the JKF Gojukai and its DIRECT members and was altered to not include the flags at the bottom of the logo as well as only to read "JKF" on the top line and "剛柔会" on the bottom. Its use is EXCLUSIVE to current members of the JKF Gojukai its Shibu member, clubs and organizations. During the time line of 2000 and 2008 an full revision of the JKF Gojukai emblem was adopted as the JKF Goju Kai badge. The new badge is described as having J.K.F. in gold letters at the top, and the middle having two golden dragons facing each other and with the Japan National flag [a white back ground and red rising sun] between them and located to the bottom the term 'Goju Kai' in red writing on a white ribbon with gold edges. This emblem [or mark] is now the official logo of the JKF Goju Kai. Use of the Goju Ryu fist emblem and any trademark infringements and liabilities rests directly with the users, clubs and subgroups in the country of use and residence.

In Perth, Western Australia, Yasunobu Nagai first used "The Goju Fist" in 1966 and later legally established in 1978 presidence in a legal court action in Australia, when Mr Tino Ceberano, Chief Instructor of Yamaguchi Goju Kai in Australia took legal action against Peter Orcsik of Australian Goju Karate, for use of the Goju Fist "Device". It was established "Legally" that Australian Goju / Peter Orcsik had every right to use the Goju Fist, as the "Device" had been legally registered and used by Mr. Yaunobu Nagai since 1966 and that Mr Peter Orcsik was Mr. Nagai's representative in Australia.

Both versions of this "Goju Ryu Fist" design are the trademark property of their respective owners and cannot be used without prior written permission. Clubs, schools, dojo, Et-all, individuals and Doe's seeking to use the trademarks, emblems, logo or similar images should have or seek out both membership of the respective owners associations as well as written permission of use in their specified country by the legal owner of said.