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A Glimpse Of Okinawan Meibukan Goju-Ryu Karate-Do

For those of you not that familiar with this style of Okinawan karate introduced in 1890 by Kanryo Higaonna, let’s have a look at it:

Meibukan = pure martial association

Goju-Ryu = hard and soft style

Karate-Do = Way of the empty hand

Their guiding principle is to seek the way of virtue which is respect, loyalty, cooperation, discipline and hard work.

I don’t know where you live, but we could use a lot more of that around here. But before I digress any further….

Okinawa is widely recognized at the birthplace of karate. One of the original styles is Goju-Ryu which has generated a number of different branches.

The original style was first called Naha-Te and emphasized correct breathing, along with body strengthening and conditioning.

Goju-Ryu offers circular and linear techniques through hard striking and kicking as well as softer open hand techniques for blocking and controlling the opponent. Locks, throws, grappling and takedown techniques complete their arsenal of a very effective fighting style that is complemented by weapons.

Further, Goju-Ryu tends to emphasize meeting opponents with the opposite of what they are utilizing.

For better understanding, striking the head (a hard part of the body) with the open hand (a soft part of the body) or striking the groin (soft) with a groin kick (hard).

According to reports, GojuRyu karate was the style of karate that Ralph Macchio practiced under his teacher, Mr. Miyagi, in the movie, The Karate Kid.

Some of you might know that I started TheMartialArtsReporter.com in 09/2009.

What’s kinda funny is that  in May 2005, I spent several days attending a business seminar (that had nothing to do with martial arts!) in a laid-back Boston suburb called Wakefield/Watertown.

And I had no idea then what I know now:

The most senior instructor of Meibukan Goju-Ryu Karate-Do actually teaches there!

9th Dan Anthony Mirakian, who was born in 1933 in Havana, Cuba, was the first Westerner ever to be accepted as a student under Grandmaster Meitoku Yagi in the 50s while stationed in Okinawa with the United States Air Force.

In November 1959, Mirakian returned and introduced Meibukan Goju-Ryu to the United States.

In 1961, he was granted official permission by Meitoku Yagi to open his own dojo, the first foreign dojo in the history of the Meibukan and one of the first foreign (founded outside Japan) dojos in the history of Okinawa Goju-ryu where he continues to teach today. 

And here is a a clip showing Mr. Mirakian’s instructor, Grandmaster Yagi, performing a kata at the age of 80. Enjoy!