Canada Seiwa Kai


	Chojun Miyagi (1888-1953)


	Chojun Miyagi Sensei was born April 25, 1888 in Higashi-Machi (Naha-shi) Okinawa of a wealthy family. Miyagi Chojun was originally born as Miyagi Matsu, however his name was changed to Chojun at the age of 5 by his uncle, whom adopted him after the death of his father in 1893.

In 1902, Sensei Chojun started Naha-te practice with Kanryo Higaonna Sensei at his age of 14. After years of training with Higaonna Sensei, Miyagi went to China in May 1915 in search of his Higaonna’s teacher. This was one of his three trips to China during his life. He studied Chuguko Kempo (Chinese Fist) in Fouchow, FukienProvince, from 1915 to 1917. In early of 1917, he returned to Okinawa due to the death of Higaonna Sensei.





		- Do not be struck by others - Do not strike others - The principle is the peace without incident Last words from Chojun Miyagi Sensei

After he came back to Okinawa, he began to teach his Karatedo around Naha, and then thought out Japan. Chojun Miyagi Sensei had combined the basic Go (Sanchin), the six rules, and created the Ju (Tensho) form. This is the combination of hard and soft movements. He also organized the auxiliary movements to strengthen the body through calisthenics and create the classical Kata.

In 1929, one of his students, Sensei Gogen Yamaguchi, invited Miyagi Sensei to visit Japan. Later, Sensei Yamaguchi established the Goju-Ryu schools in mainland Japan.

Chojun Miyagi Sensei worked hard to spread Karatedo throughout Okinawa and mainland Japan, and to earn Naha-te in a status equal to the highly respectful as Judo and Kendo. To achieve this he traveled frequently to mainland Japan where he was invited to teach Karatedo at Kyoto University and Ritsumei Kan University.

In 1933, Karatedo was registered at the Butokukai, the center for all martial arts in Japan. This was a milestone for Karatedo, which it was recognized on a level with the highly respected martial arts of Japan.

On March 23, 1934, Chojun Miyagi Sensei wrote the document Toudijutsu Gaisetsu (An Outline of Karatedo), a very rare and very technical on the almost spiritual training of Karatedo .

By 1936, Chojun Miyagi Sensei is truly recognized by the Government of Japan with being awarded the medal for “Excellence in the Martial Arts” from the Japanese Ministry of Education. That same year he went to train at the Chinese martial arts in Shanghai at the Seibu Dai Iku Kai or Great Gymnastic Association - Pure Martial Spirit.


	Miyagi Chojun Sensei instruction was not limited to physical training. Miyagi Sensei also lectured his students on history, culture, society, human relations as many senior Sensei of today do. During these ‘sessions’ Chojun Miyagi Sensei would teach the kata (forms) in great detail and explain the "bunkai" (kata applications) thoroughly.

Chojun Miyagi dedicated his whole life to karate. He was responsible for structuring Naha-te (which he later named "Goju-Ryu") into a systematized discipline which could be taught to society in general. This teaching system which he formulated enabled Karatedo to be taught in schools for the benefit of the young, and to reach vast numbers of people throughout the world. However, his private teaching at his home remained strictly in adherence to the principles of his teacher, Kanryo Higaonna, and his teacher before him, Ryuruko.

Chojun Miyagi Sensei passed away October 8th, 1953. He dedicated his whole life to Karate. He predicted that Karatedo would sprad throughout the world during the twentieth century. Today we can see that this prediction has come true. Karatedo is not only practiced in Japan, not only be referred to as a solely Okinawan or Japanese martial art, but it can be found throughout the countries of the world.

Last Updated : Feb 25, 2005

Version : V2.03