What is a Dojo?
A Dojo is a miniature cosmos where we make contact with ourselves— our fears, anxieties, reactions and habits.
It is an arena of confined conflict where we confront an opponent who is not an opponent but rather a partner in helping us understand ourselves more fully.
The Martial Arts Centre Crest and its Meaning?
The word Bushido directly translated means 'the way of the Warrior' or 'the way of the Samurai'. Bushi/Do breaks into the two words Bushi meaning Samurai or warrior (martial man) and Do means way or art.
Bushido is the code of behaviour for the classical Japanese warrior. Bushido is considered the equivalent of the European medieval knight's code of chivalry. As a student of the Martial Arts Centre, the basic code we follow is based on the virtues of honour, integrity and loyalty.
A Brief History of the Martial Arts
It is difficult to provide an accurate account of the complete history of the martial arts. Its history is long and in-depth, filled with secrecy and lost documents, and anonymous writings. However it is generally acknowledged that the Zen Buddhist monk, Bodhidharma was the originator of the martial arts. In the sixth century he travelled from India, over the Himalayan Mountains to the province of Hanon, China. Bodhidharma’s religion forbade him from carrying any weapons, travelling through unknown and hostile territories.
Observing animals in the world around him, Bodhidharma devised a system of fighting techniques based on the actions of the crane, snake, tiger, leopard, and monkey. Bodhidharma gained many disciples and together they built the first Shaolin Monastery.
Over the years the martial arts spread throughout China. Merchants from a small island called Okinawa traded silks and spices with China. Through this connection, the Martial Arts were introduced to the Okinawan people. These skills were developed into Karate, “the empty handed way”, and used by the Okinawans in defence against the Japanese who had invaded the small island chain. The Japanese had banned all metal utensils, knives, metal farm tools, pots and pans. The Okinawans practised the martial arts in complete secrecy and finally gained freedom from the Japanese.
During the 1920’s the Butoku-kai was interested in karate. The Okinawans decided to send a representative to Japan. The man they choose was Gichin Funakoshi, who was well versed in the Japanese culture. Funakoshi helped to propagate karate throughout Japan. Today there are over 40 popular styles of karate practised throughout the world.
History of Goju Ryu Karate
Chojun Miyagi is considered the founder of Goju-ryu Karate. Born to a wealthy family in Naha, Okinawa in 1888, Miyagi began his training at the age of eleven under Higashionna Sensei.
By the age of 20, Miyagi had become Higashionna’s disciple. Miyagi learned the art of Naha-te under Higashionna Sensei until Higshionna’s death.
Like his teacher did before him, Miyagi then travelled to China where he learned the martial arts of that nation, including Pa Kua, Hsing-I and the Kung-fu of the Fukien province.
Returning to Okinawa, Miyagi began to formulate the Goju Ryu system. Blending the hard, snapping techniques of Naha-te with the softer, gentler techniques of the Chinese martial arts, Goju Ryu was born.
Miyagi spent the rest of his life propagating Goju-ryu to the rest of the world. He died on October 8, 1953.
History of Okinawa Goju Ryu Karate Do
The following historic review is based on Higaonna Sensei's book "Traditonal Karate-Do—Okinawa Goju Ryu", Morio Higaonna, Sugawara Martial Arts inc. Tokyo 1993 (ISBN 0-87040-595-0). http://www.okd-itk.com/history.html
ATTENTION: YOUTH PURPLE/BLUE BELTS:
Some Key Things You Should Know*
Key Individuals
Bodhirma: 6th Century Buddhist monk from India; travelled to China; considered the founder of martial arts.
Higashionna Sensei: Miyagi Chojun’s sensei; trained in China; Naha-te instructor.
Miyagi Chojun: Founder of Goju style; trained for many years in China; incorporated Naha-te with softer Chinese elements.
Gichin Funakoshi: Founder of Shotokan style; considered father of modern karate.
Sensei Yamaguchi: nicknamed “The Cat”; developed Japanese Goju; introduced free sparring.
Key Pieces of Information
Four Tenants of Karate: speed, strength, beauty, technique.
Six Areas of Kata to Concentrate Upon: eyes, pace, technique, breathing, kiai, kime.
Major Styles of Karate: Shotokan, Goju-ryu, Wado-ryu, Shito-ryu, Kyokushinkai.
Other Martial Arts: Sumo, Judo, Kendo, Taekwondo, Kung fu, Aikido, Hapkido.
Four Possessions of a Samurai: honour, loyalty, integrity, time.
Development of Martial Arts: (India) -> China -> Okinawa -> Japan -> USA/World.
Counting to 10: Ichi, Ni, San, Shi, Go, Roku, Shichi, Hachi, Ku, Ju.
Kata Definitions
Sai Fa: Destroy and defeat
Sanchin: Three battles
Tensho: Turning palms
Sei Uchin: Attack, conquer, suppress
Bassai Dai: Penetrate the fortress
* Material on this page is a good start at what you should know as a senior student. There are NO guarantees however that you would not be asked material not on this page! (Hint: always keep learning!)