"If your temper rises, withdraw your hand; If your hand rises, withdraw your temper." - Chojun Miyagi Sensei
9 August 2024
Sensei Jon Davis
Chojun Miyagi, founder of Goju-Ryu Karate, was born April 25th, 1888 to nobility in Naha, Okinawa. He was nine years old when he began training in Karate, and by the age of 20 had become a disciple of Kanryo Higashionna. As Higashionna had done before him, Miyagi went to Fuzhou, China and studied Zen in addition to various Chinese martial arts. The time he spent in China broadened his understanding of martial arts, specifically how to incorporate both hard (Go) and soft (Ju) techniques, which would later become the foundation of Goju-Ryu.
After several years, Miyagi returned to Okinawa and began teaching and refining his style. In 1930, he formally named his style Goju-Ryu, which translates to, "Hard-Soft Style." This name reflects the philosophy behind the style, which combines hard striking techniques of Karate with the softer, circular movements found in traditional Chinese martial arts. He is credited with developing the kata Sanchin and Tensho, which clearly combine Shorei movements with Zen breathing that Miyagi had learned in China.
Goju-Ryu emphasizes a balance between physical strength and fluidity, teaching practitioners to adapt their techniques to the situation at hand. This adaptability and balance are achieved through rigorous training, including kata, kumite, and various conditioning exercises. Miyagi's innovative approach to training included the use of traditional Okinawan implements such as the makiwara (striking post) and chiishi (weighted levers) to build strength and endurance.
By all accounts, Miyagi was known as a man of humility. He was quiet and extremely mild in temperament, though he was incredibly big and strong. According to O'Sensei Richard Kim's book, "The Weaponless Warriors," Miyagi was once asked to put on an exhibition by the Asahi Shimbun, and after much pleading, he agreed to do so, "Not for show, but for the sake of Okinawan Karate."
"Miyagi performed without pretension, Okinawa never saw anything like it. It was a performance of a Karate meijin. Miyagi thrust his hand into a bunch of bamboo and pulled out one from the center. He stuck his hand into a slab of meat and tore off chunks. He put white chalk on the bottom of his feet, jumped up, and kicked the ceiling for all to see. Spectators hit him with long bo (staffs) with no effect. He tore the bark off a tree (with his fingers). And with his big toe, he punctured a hole in a kerosene can... He did many more feats which had to be seen to be believed."
Miyagi's influence extended far beyond the walls of his dojo. In 1933, he introduced Goju-Ryu to mainland Japan, gaining recognition from the Dai Nippon Butoku-Kai, the official governing body for martial arts in Japan. This recognition helped spread Goju-Ryu Karate internationally, establishing it as a respected and influential martial art.
In addition to his technical contributions, Miyagi was also a dedicated teacher, imparting not only physical techniques but also the philosophical and spiritual aspects of martial arts. He believed in the importance of character development, stressing the values of respect, humility and perseverance. His teachings emphasized the idea that martial arts are not merely about physical prowess but also about personal growth and self-discipline.
The years immediately following Japan's surrender in World War II were very lean for families in Miyagi's area, and it wasn't uncommon for an entire village to go out into the fields to help with the harvest. Miyagi participated with this as well, and was very quiet with not many people knowing who he was or of his involvement with Karate.
At harvest time, some of the men would try to humiliate Miyagi by telling him to go make tea (a woman's job at the time) or they would cut in front of him in the line for lunch. They did this to not only humiliate him, but also to suggest that he wasn't up to the hard labor in spite of his huge body. Miyagi simply smiled in return, and silently made tea and washed dishes while the other men went into the fields to harvest the grain.
After each day's harvest, the men would need to lift the huge loads of bale onto trucks for transport back to town. On one particular day, the bales were larger than usual and the men were struggling to load them. Seeing this, Chojun Miyagi told the men to step aside and lifted the loads himself, quickly and without strain. This feat of strength amazed the men, and stories of this act quickly spread all over the island.
Chojun Miyagi passed away on October 8th, 1953, but his legacy lives on through the countless practitioners of Goju-Ryu around the world. His innovative approach to the martial arts, combining the best of Okinawan and Chinese traditions, has left an enduring impact on the discipline. Today, Goju-Ryu is practiced globally, with dojos dedicated to preserving and promoting Miyagi's teachings.
Miyagi's life and work serve as an inspiration to martial artists of all styles, reminding us of the importance of dedication, discipline, and the pursuit of excellence. His contributions to martial arts have not only enriched the practice of Karate but have also helped to promote the values of respect, humility, and personal growth that are at the heart of martial arts philosophy.
|
|