Also known as

Description

Okinawan martial artist (1888-1953), founder of the Gōjū-ryū school of karate by blending the Naha-te of his teacher Higaonna Kanryō with Chinese martial arts studied in Fuzhou; the first karate style officially recognized by the Dai Nippon Butokukai.

Teachers (2)

• 
  Arakaki Seishō

  linkNaha-te 3

  Confirmed

  EN Wikipedia and the IOGKF biography state Chojun Miyagi began studying Okinawan martial arts under Ryuko Aragaki (Arakaki Seishō) at age 11; the Kaizen Gojukan profile and CMAC Dapo article give age 12 - the 11 is kept with the alternative noted

  (1899)

  expand_morefact_checkassessed by FSMverified

  Frederico Muñoz

  Researcher, Martialis

  4 sources

  fact_check

  EN Wikipedia and the IOGKF biography state Chojun Miyagi began studying Okinawan martial arts under Ryuko Aragaki (Arakaki Seishō) at age 11; the Kaizen Gojukan profile and CMAC Dapo article give age 12 - the 11 is kept with the alternative noted

  assessed by FSMverified

  Frederico Muñoz

  Researcher, Martialis

  "Chojun Miyagi began studying Okinawan martial arts under Ryuko Aragaki at age 11."

  — Chōjun Miyagi - Wikipedia (EN). Wikipedia (English) linkinfo

  "His training in karate began at the age of eleven under Ryuko Aragaki Sensei who practiced and taught Tomari-Te."

  — Gillan, Mike. Sensei Miyagi, Chojun - IOGKF Internationallinkinfo

  "He began his martial arts training at the age of 12 with Aragaki Ryuko Sensei."

  — Chōjun Miyagi - Kaizen Gojukan (IKGA)linkinfo

  "at age 11 he began training with Ryuko Aragaki who was a Tomari-te expert."

  — The Creation of Goju-Ryu Karate: History Series 2-3 linkinfo
• 
  Higaonna Kanryō

  linkNaha-te 3

  Confirmed

  EN Wikipedia, the IOGKF biography, the Kaizen Gojukan profile and the CMAC Dapo article all state Miyagi was introduced to Higaonna Kanryō by Aragaki at age 14 (1902) and trained under him until Higaonna's death; the EN Wikipedia and Gojukan give 1915 for the end (matching the corrected Higaonna death date), the IOGKF gives 1916

  (1902-1915)

  expand_morefact_checkassessed by FSMverified

  Frederico Muñoz

  Researcher, Martialis

  4 sources

  fact_check

  EN Wikipedia, the IOGKF biography, the Kaizen Gojukan profile and the CMAC Dapo article all state Miyagi was introduced to Higaonna Kanryō by Aragaki at age 14 (1902) and trained under him until Higaonna's death; the EN Wikipedia and Gojukan give 1915 for the end (matching the corrected Higaonna death date), the IOGKF gives 1916

  assessed by FSMverified

  Frederico Muñoz

  Researcher, Martialis

  "At age 14, Miyagi was introduced to Kanryo Higashionna (Higaonna Kanryō) by Aragaki... Miyagi trained under Higaonna for 15 years until Higaonna's death in 1916."

  — Chōjun Miyagi - Wikipedia (EN). Wikipedia (English) linkinfo

  "When he was fourteen his teacher introduced him to Higaonna Kanryo Sensei. Chojun Sensei trained with Kanryo Sensei from 1902 until October 1916, when Kanryo Sensei passed away."

  — Gillan, Mike. Sensei Miyagi, Chojun - IOGKF Internationallinkinfo

  "In 1902, at the age of 14, Chōjun Miyagi Sensei commenced training with Kanryo Higaonna Sensei... At the age of 20 Chōjun Miyagi became Higaonna's top student... For the next 3 years Kanryo Higaonna taught him privately until Higaonna died in 1915."

  — Chōjun Miyagi - Kaizen Gojukan (IKGA)linkinfo

  "After three years, he was introduced to Higashionna in 1902."

  — The Creation of Goju-Ryu Karate: History Series 2-3 linkinfo

Students (5)

• 
  Shimabuku Tatsuo

  linkGoju-ryu 3

  Confirmed

  EN Wikipedia states Shimabuku sought out Chojun Miyagi and from him learned Tensho, Seiunchin and Sanchin; corroborated by the Advincula biography (Naha-te from Miyagi around 1936, for three years)

  expand_morefact_checkassessed by FSMverified

  Frederico Muñoz

  Researcher, Martialis

  2 sources

  fact_check

  EN Wikipedia states Shimabuku sought out Chojun Miyagi and from him learned Tensho, Seiunchin and Sanchin; corroborated by the Advincula biography (Naha-te from Miyagi around 1936, for three years)

  assessed by FSMverified

  Frederico Muñoz

  Researcher, Martialis

  "Shimabuku had always been fascinated by Naha-te karate (Goju Ryu) and sought out Chojun Miyagi... From Miyagi, Tatsuo learned Tensho, Seiunchin ("Seize-Control-Fight") kata and Sanchin ("Three-Fights/Conflicts") kata."

  — Tatsuo Shimabuku - Wikipedia (EN). Wikipedia (English)linkinfo

  "Shimabuku studies Naha te from Chojun Miyagi around 1936... This time he stays with Miyagi for three years."

  — Advincula, A. J.. (1997). Dragon Man: Shimabuku Tatsuo Sensei, founder of Isshin-ryu Karate and Kobudolinkinfo
• 
  Miyazato Eiichi

  linkGoju-ryu 3

  Confirmed

  EN Wikipedia states Miyazato began training under Miyagi around age 13 (or 15 per some sources) and trained with him continuously until Miyagi's death in 1953; the Kent Moyer interview states he began training with Miyagi in 1935 at age 13; Finding Karate confirms the introduction through his father and brother Eiko

  (1935-1953)

  expand_morefact_checkassessed by FSMverified

  Frederico Muñoz

  Researcher, Martialis

  3 sources

  fact_check

  EN Wikipedia states Miyazato began training under Miyagi around age 13 (or 15 per some sources) and trained with him continuously until Miyagi's death in 1953; the Kent Moyer interview states he began training with Miyagi in 1935 at age 13; Finding Karate confirms the introduction through his father and brother Eiko

  assessed by FSMverified

  Frederico Muñoz

  Researcher, Martialis

  "Some sources indicate that Miyazato began training under Miyagi at the age of 13, while others state that Miyazato first trained under his own father and only began training under Miyagi at the age of 15... Except for an interrupted period due to World War II, Miyazato learned from Miyagi continuously until the death of the latter in 1953."

  — Eiichi Miyazato - Wikipedia (EN). Wikipedia (English)linkinfo

  "His father introduced him to Chojun Miyagi, who had been a neighbour of the family for many years... Miyazato's elder brother, Eiko, was a longtime student of Miyagi at his Garden Dojo... After Miyagi's death, several of his senior students establish their own Goju-Ryu schools. At the age of 32 Miyazato took over the running of the Garden Dojo. This was at the request of Miyagi's family and his fellow students."

  — Lipinski, Leo. (2023). Eiichi Miyazato - Finding Karatelinkinfo

  "Miyazato começou a treinar com Chojun Miyagi em 1935, aos 13 anos de idade."

  — Musil, Jaromír; Moyer, Kent; Chagas, Bruno. (2020). A entrevista final com Eiichi Miyazato, fundador da escola Jundokan de Goju-Ryu linkinfo
• Ki
  Kishaba Chōgi

  linkGoju-ryu 2

  Probable

  Haff interview with Toshihiro Oshiro (himself Kishaba's bo student) states his bo teacher was a direct student of Chojun Miyagi, the founder of Goju-Ryu; a single secondary interview, hence level 2

  expand_morefact_checkassessed by FSMverified

  Frederico Muñoz

  Researcher, Martialis

  1 source

  fact_check

  Haff interview with Toshihiro Oshiro (himself Kishaba's bo student) states his bo teacher was a direct student of Chojun Miyagi, the founder of Goju-Ryu; a single secondary interview, hence level 2

  assessed by FSMverified

  Frederico Muñoz

  Researcher, Martialis

  "My bo teacher was a direct student of Chojun Miyagi, the founder of Goju-Ryu."

  — Haff, William H.. (2008). Interview with Sensei Toshihiro Oshiro: Yamanni Ryu - Bo-Jutsu of Okinawa. Oshiro Dojolinkhistoryinfo
• 
  Higa Sekō

  linkGoju-ryu 3

  Confirmed

  EN Wikipedia states Higa continued his studies with Miyagi Chōjun for 38 years until Miyagi's death in 1953; corroborated by the Shuriway biography (trained with Miyagi after Higaonna's death), the Okinawa Karate Navi and ODKS tourism pages (also studied with Miyagi)

  (1916-1953)

  expand_morefact_checkassessed by FSMverified

  Frederico Muñoz

  Researcher, Martialis

  4 sources

  fact_check

  EN Wikipedia states Higa continued his studies with Miyagi Chōjun for 38 years until Miyagi's death in 1953; corroborated by the Shuriway biography (trained with Miyagi after Higaonna's death), the Okinawa Karate Navi and ODKS tourism pages (also studied with Miyagi)

  assessed by FSMverified

  Frederico Muñoz

  Researcher, Martialis

  "Higa, a policeman at the time, continued his studies with Miyagi Chōjun for 38 years until Miyagi's death."

  — Sekō Higa - Wikipedia (EN). Wikipedia (English) linkinfo

  "After Sensei Higaonna's death in 1915, he trained with Chojun Miyagi."

  — Master Seiko Higa - Goju-Ryu (Shuriway). International Shuriway Karate & Kobudo Society linkinfo

  "After that, he also studied with Miyagi."

  — Praising Monument of Masters Higa Seko & Higa Seikichi - Okinawa Karate Navilinkinfo

  "As a young man, he entered the dojo of Kanryo Higaonna and later trained under Chojun Miyagi, the founder of Goju-ryu."

  — Naha-te Lineage: Seko and Seikichi Higa Commemorative Monument - Okinawa Karate Tourism linkinfo
• 
  Chinen Masami

  linkGoju-ryu 1

  Uncertain

  Single hedged mention in the Haff interview with Toshihiro Oshiro ("studied Shuri style karate, I believe, and also some under Sensei Miyagi") - a step below a generic mention and retractable

  expand_morefact_checkassessed by FSMverified

  Frederico Muñoz

  Researcher, Martialis

  1 source

  fact_check

  Single hedged mention in the Haff interview with Toshihiro Oshiro ("studied Shuri style karate, I believe, and also some under Sensei Miyagi") - a step below a generic mention and retractable

  assessed by FSMverified

  Frederico Muñoz

  Researcher, Martialis

  "My bo teacher was a direct student of Chojun Miyagi, the founder of Goju-Ryu. And his teacher, Masami Chinen, studied Shuri style karate, I believe, and also some under Sensei Miyagi to understand stances, maybe footwork."

  — Haff, William H.. (2008). Interview with Sensei Toshihiro Oshiro: Yamanni Ryu - Bo-Jutsu of Okinawa. Oshiro Dojolinkhistoryinfo

Sources