My beginnings with Okinawa karate,
the history of my teacher, Masaaki Ikemiyagi Sensei, and the
MEIBUKAN GOJU-RYU
OKINAWA DOJO
I grew up in the Jemez Mountains outside Los Alamos, New Mexico. Because I was so far away from everything, I spent lots of time alone as a child. During the summer, it was not so bad. I had motorcycles to ride, and I enjoyed hiking and camping a lot. The winter on the other hand, was not so fun. It was always miserably cold and I spent "way too much time" playing video games and watching TV—all one channel, so said my father. Well, my godfather, Jack Shumaker, who had been a Chinese Kenpo instructor in the sixties and seventies, told my dad that "karate" could be just the thing I needed to keep myself occupied more constructively.
Well, a couple of Bruce Lee flicks and a store bought set of alloy samurai swords and, poof, I was from then on a "karate-fanatic." My first lessons were with my Godfather; they consisted of basic stances, punches, blocks, and kicks, and of course, my beating helpless trees to death with all my weapons that I had collected since my first lesson. This was "OK" for the first year or so, but I wanted more. I asked my father if he would let me join a "real" class. He said yes.
I joined my first school or "dojang as it was called, in Los Alamos, New Mexico in 1982. My first official teachings came from a wonderful man named Tom Cook, whom was then a Tae Kwon Do master running a dojang for his teacher, Kim Soo out of Houston Texas.
As the years went on, I bounced from teacher to teacher, system to system: kick boxing, more kenpo, muay thai, hapkido, judo, kali, aikido, and anything else I could get my hands on. Along with all the "karate" training—at the time, I figured karate was the general category for all of the martial arts, I did weight lifting, running, and swimming, all designed to make me a "better karate guy." Well, this did succeed in one thing for sure; it DID make my head a lot bigger. Later on, some of my "martial arts friends" talked me into working with them in bars as a doorman. I enjoyed the work, and I like helping people, so it was good work for me. The only problem was that in all reality, I knew very little about "real" martial arts. I found this out the hard way one night at work only a few weeks from the time that I was scheduled to leave—as a member of the U.S. Air Force—for Okinawa, but that is another story for another time.
As things turned out, I survived that last fight at work—barely—and made it here to Okinawa in December of 1990. I arrived on the 3rd of December and by the 14th, I was enrolled in my first Okinawan karate dojo. My first teacher’s name was Takamiyagi Hiroshi, whose first cousin—Takamiyagi Shigeru Sensei—is a well-known teacher of Sho Hei Ryu (Uechi Ryu) karate-do. Hiroshi Sensei teaches his own interpretation of karate-do that he calls "Wu Tsu Chuan," which is basically a synthesis of Okinawan karate—northern Chinese family—and south central Chinese Gung-fu. He had reached the level of seventh dan as a student of Nakamura Sensei and to the best of my knowledge was in line to inherit the "Shuri-Te Kan" system from Nakamura. His dojo is in the Hamagawa area of Chatan-Cho, Okinawa. He is an amazing karate-ka; his technique is obviously the product of many years of hard training.
Training there was anything but "fun." I could tell that he did not care much for teaching "gaijin," (foreigners) and that he may have had a few bad experiences with the same in the past. The first thing he asked me, after we had finished my first formal class session, was if I felt that I was "strong." I of course had not learned my lesson that night at work quite as well as I should have, and I said very proudly, "Yes, quite strong." He just smiled—in the same way a cat looks at a mouse—and then proceeded to kick me in the left thigh a few inches above the knee; as I buckled in pain and my head bounced of the floor, I re-thought my answer. When I struggled back to my feet, he asked the question once more; I answered with a resounding "NO, not at all Sensei." He then smiled even bigger and adjusted my feet into the best Naihanchi stance that I could muster up after having my leg almost broken. He then said, "I will make you strong." This made me very happy, that is until I figured out HOW he was going to do this. It was much in the same manner as one "forges" a strong steel blade—by heating it to the verge of meltdown and then pounding it into shape! Of course, it was obvious as to what would happen next. He proceeded once again and repeatedly kicked my left leg until I collapsed —the Naihanchi stance does wonders against structural break down from a thai kick. After my left leg "died" he instructed me to stand again so he could do it to my right leg…ouch! When this was over, he asked me if I was "OK;" I lied and said yes. Having said that, he decided to introduce me to my new "friend," the tire makiwara. He showed me how to use it and made it look quite easy. I found out in a hurry that it was not. But, because of my extremely well trained EGO, I managed to kick the darn thing until my shins bled. After this, I quickly said goodnight; Hiroshi Sensei just smiled and waved goodbye—not expecting to see me ever again. It was a good thing that I literally lived right across the street. I managed to hobble home and pass out. I applied ice packs to both legs for the next two days. I could walk the next day, but my legs hurt terribly.
When I showed up at the next training session, Hiroshi Sensei was both pleased and surprised. He was not any easier on me though; this time he worked over my arms and then had me hit the post makiwara. Time went on and I eventually became an accepted member of his school—the first adult gaijin in a long time to survive more than a few months. Hiroshi Sensei used a Shinai (bamboo sword) to correct my form when it was really bad; this assured that I would never again mess-up the technique that badly again. Not that Hiroshi Sensei was mean person; he was only harsh with me and any other adult foreigners who wanted to train there. He was quite fond of children and treated them all lovingly, regardless of where they were from. I became a student to him and a friend to his son Naoki. I liked the system and the kata. For the first time, I was starting to discover what "real" martial arts were.
I trained there three days a week and then with Naoki on weekends once in a while. I learned a lot and got much "stronger" along the way, but as usual I was not satisfied that I was in the right place. I trained with him there for almost two and a half years before I decided to once again "switch styles." I had a minor falling out with Hiroshi Sensei when I left; another student of his and I did not get along well, to say the least, and because I was the gaijin, it was "obviously my fault." Rather than cause my teacher any problems, I decided it was best that I just leave—and besides, I was going to eventually switch dojo anyway. I knew that I had to leave, but I did not know where to go. I had looked at a few dojo, both on base and off, but none seemed to have what I was looking for. I eventually found the Meibukan Okinawa Dojo and Ikemiyagi Masaaki Sensei in Okinawa-Shi, where I had recently moved to in December and still live today. I continued to train at the Hamagawa Dojo until May of 1993, but I visited Ikemiyagi Sensei’s dojo to watch his class a few times during my last months there.
From the first time I watched Ikemiyagi Sensei do kata, I knew that this was where I belonged—I had finally found what I felt was the perfect exemplification of karate. I will never forget how incredibly skillful he seemed the first time I saw him. He is only about 5’ 5" tall and weighs maybe 150 lbs., but my word, what awesome power! After training in the Hamagawa Dojo, I knew what karate that was "strong" looked like—this was as IT and then some.
I was in awe of Ikemiyagi Sensei’s presence alone, yet he was humble and incredibly kind. When I asked if he would teach me, he said that he would let me try and see if I liked his dojo. I then had to tell him that I was already training elsewhere. Ikemiyagi Sensei then told me that I had to decide what to do and choose ONE school; he felt that training in various arts could be a good thing, but only once a person has a strong base and then only as a supplement to learn more about one’s base system. I was ready to make the change, except that I had to tell Hiroshi Sensei that I would be switching to a different dojo.
In late April 1993, I told Hiroshi Sensei that I was leaving. He was not happy. He said that because I had turned down all opportunity for promotion, I was leaving him with "nothing to show" for all the time and effort he had spent teaching me. I apologized for any hurt I had caused him and wished him well. With that, I said goodbye.
Until I began training with Ikemiyagi Sensei in Meibukan Goju-Ryu, I had never, as an adult, accepted "official" rank from any system. I did not agree with how the promotions were handled. I never understood what Hiroshi Sensei had said that day until the time came for me to promote students of my own and then realized that promotions are as much "for" the teacher as they are for the student.
In Ikemiyagi Sensei’s Okinawa Dojo, I found a "home" and a "family" in karate-do. I could now train and study the arts with a clear focus and was ready to accept rank and the accompanying responsibility. After seeing in Ikemiyagi Sensei that one could be a great karate-ka and still be a well-rounded "real" person as well, I understood that there was more to karate-do than just learning how to hurt people.
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Here is a brief introduction to my teacher and his system. The following is a short and informal history of the originators whose heritage would come to be known as Meibukan Goju-Ryu. Due in large part to the massive destruction done during W.W.II and the subsequent loss of written records, there are many conflicting sources about dates, ages, names, and almost every other aspect of the history of Goju-Ryu and other systems of Okinawan Karate. I reviewed many different sources and choose what I felt were the best "answers." When possible, I gathered or confirmed my information from or with local Okinawan Karate Sensei. Please consider the following information as a "good base" for one to use in research efforts. Mostly, please enjoy.
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HIGAONNA KANRYO
The source beginnings of Meibukan Goju-Ryu began on the island of Okinawa with a man named Higaonna Kanryo, now remembered by us all as Higaonna Sensei. Higaonna Sensei was born in Naha-Shi, Okinawa, in 1853. His family lineage was one of prominence in Okinawa. However, despite their former social standing, they had become poor along with so many others that suffered the effects of Okinawa’s turbulent political history. They supported themselves by transporting firewood from the Kerama Islands to Okinawa by boat. (1 – p. 44), (3 – # 2)
Higaonna Sensei, although muscular, was not very large overall and made up for his lack in size by being lithe and quick. From his earliest years he possessed a hunger for training in the arts. He began his training at 14 years of age with an Okinawan man who had studied the Fukien style of Chinese Kenpo. In 1877, he achieved his dream of traveling to China to study the arts when he was granted passage onboard a ship bound for Port Foochow. (1 – p. 47), (3 - # 2)
He lived in the Okinawan settlement in Foochow for a year before finally being introduced to a local Gung Fu master named Liu Liu Ko. He was required to do chores and tend to the master’s garden for a period of time to show his character and the sincerity of his desire to train seriously before he was accepted as a student. He worked to help his master in the trade of bamboo crafting during the day and trained at night. Sanchin Kata and weight training were instrumental in his early training. The training was severe and definitely a true test of Higaonna Sensei’s will. He persevered regardless of the training’s intensity and eventually became one of Ryu Ryuko’s strongest students. (1 – pp. 47, 48), (3 – # 2)
Upon returning to Okinawa after 13 years of training in Foochow, Higaonna Sensei repaid the man who had granted him passage to Okinawa by privately teaching the art to his sons. Higaonna Sensei’s reputation as a master of Tou-Di / Tou-Ti (China Hand) quickly spread throughout the local community—mainly because of the stories told by those returning from China. Many would come to him in hopes of becoming disciples, but he taught as severely as he had learned and it was rare that a student continued for more than a short while. (3 – # 2)
His teachings eventually came within the grasp of any that could persevere; he began teaching at a public school in 1905. Because Naha is where he lived when he began teaching, people knew his teachings as "The Hands of Naha"; thus Higaonna Sensei’s "style" came to be known as "Naha-Te."
(3 - # 2)
In his time, Higaonna Sensei—along with Itosu Anko—would come to be considered "the foremost karate-ka in Okinawa." He died in October 1910, at 62 years of age in the presence of Miyagi Chojun. Many of Higaonna Sensei’s students carried on to develop their own styles founded on his teachings. His legacy continues through the achievements of these students and those who would eventually follow them. The most prominent of these were Miyagi Chojun (Goju-Ryu) and Mabuni Kenwa (Shito-Ryu). (1 – pp. 44, 48), (3 - # 2)
MIYAGI CHOJUN
Miyagi Chojun was born on April 15, 1888 in Naha-Shi, Okinawa. He was born into an aristocratic family that enjoyed the fortunes of a successful import /export business. Their two boats, which embarked on regular voyages to China, made them among the richest families in their community. (1 – p. 46), (3 - # 1)
As with Higaonna Sensei, Chojun’s interest in the arts developed at an early age. In 1900, he began his formal training with an Okinawan named Aragaki Ryuko; later, in 1902, he was introduced to Higaonna Sensei. After earning his way by doing chores for the master, he was accepted as a student. (1 – p. 44), (3 - # 1)
His training with Higaonna sensei was very severe. A lot of wind and strength training was involved from the start. Higaonna Sensei was so demanding, it is said that Miyagi would sometimes pass-out while performing Sanchin Kata. Chojun continued to train with Higaonna Sensei until the master’s death. Miyagi Chojun, now Miyagi Sensei, had developed into a karate-ka of great skill and power. (1 – p. 48)
Because of his great love of karate (formerly known as tou-di or tou-ti), Miyagi Sensei trained with an undying enthusiasm; by virtue of his superior skill and loyalty, Miyagi Sensei was Higaonna Sensei’s primary deshi (devoted student) and successor to his system. (1 – p. 48)
The same wealth that allowed him to devote all of his time to training in the arts also enabled him to travel to China, in 1915, to search of his teacher’s teacher, Master Liu Liu Ko. Although unable to find the Foochow master, he was able to study other arts of the Fukien Province. There are many conflicting stories about which systems Miyagi Sensei may have studied; among the arts that he may have trained in while in China are Bakua Chang, Hsing-i, and Tai Chi Chuan. Another theory states that he may have learned a system called "Ngo Cho Kun," which translates into "Five Ancestor Fist" style. Others say that he studied the "Rokkishu" Kata, which is said to have been instrumental in his development of the Tensho Kata. (1 – p. 46), (3 - # 1), (6 – p. 31, 32)
Miyagi Sensei, under severe conditions at several different schools, continued to train in the methods he had been taught by Higaonna Sensei. His training was not confined to just his time in the dojo. Every aspect of his life took on an element of training and he remained alert to his surroundings at all times. It is said that Miyagi Sensei’s very existence was consumed by the desire for self-actualization in the martial arts. (3 - # 1)
Again living in Okinawa, word of his prowess as a karate-ka spread throughout Okinawa. In 1921, he was chosen to demonstrate Naha-Te to the visiting future Emperor, Crown Prince Hirohito. He gave an impressive performance and was asked to repeat the performance for Prince Chichibu in 1925. In 1926, at the age of 38, he visualized the future of Okinawan martial arts and so set up the Karate Research Club. Along with Hanashiro Chomo (Shuri-Te), Mabuni Kenwa (Shito-Ryu), and Motobu Choyo (Motobu-Ryu – Udun-Di), he spent the next three years training in kihon (basic techniques), kata, conditioning, and philosophy. He was invited to Japan in 1929 by Yamaguchi Gogen, who would eventually promote his own interpretation of Miyagi Sensei’s Goju-Ryu system in Japan (Japanese Goju). (3 - # 1)
Kano Jigoro (founder of Judo) began visiting Okinawa in 1927, and was so impressed by the demonstration of karate technique that he invited Miyagi Sensei to Japan in 1930 and 1932 to demonstrate at several tournaments. Unable to attend one of these tournaments, Miyagi Sensei sent a senior student, Shinzato Jin’an, in his place. At that tournament, Shinzato was asked, "what is the name of your kenpo?" Not having an answer beyond the geographical location of the school (typical method of naming styles at the time), it is thought by many that he could not answer. Another theory states that he may have implemented the temporary name of "Hanku-ryu." He approached Miyagi Sensei with the question. Miyagi Sensei agreed that a name should be chosen for their style. (1 – p. 44, 47), (3 - # 1)
In a Chinese text, the Bubishi, there are the "Eight Poems of the Fists" (eight precepts). The third of these precepts reads "The way of inhaling and exhaling is hardness and softness." "Go" means hard and "ju" means soft. Since Miyagi Sensei’s style was one utilizing both of these principles cohesively in one system, he decided to refer to his style as Goju-Ryu. In 1933 it was officially registered as such at the Butoku-Kai, the Japanese Martial Arts Association. In the same year, he presented his article "An Outline of Karate-Do," and he was also appointed the Chief Judge of Karate in mainland Japan and awarded the rank of Kyoshi 8th Dan. (1 – p. 47), (3 - # 1)
Miyagi Sensei was appointed as head of the Okinawan branch of the Butoku-Kai Association, and traveled to Hawaii to introduce karate there that following year. Upon returning to Naha, he was awarded a commendation from the Ministry of Education for outstanding service in the field of physical culture. (3 - # 1)
In 1936, he returned to China to further his studies of their martial arts, this time choosing Shanghai instead of Foochow. Upon his return in 1937, he was awarded the Japanese equivalent to the commendation he had received at home. In 1940, he created the "beginner’s kata" Gekisai Ichi and Gekisai Ni. (3 - # 1)
One of Miyagi Sensei’s sons and his senior student, Shinzato Sensei, died during the occupation of Okinawa. The occupation claimed many thousands of civilian lives—one military journalist, Tetsuo Maeda, has researched this estimate to be as high as 100,000 people, one-third the island’s population at the time. He had to give up much of his training and teaching time to the efforts of rebuilding Okinawa after the war. In 1946, he was appointed director of the Okinawan Civil Association of Physical Education, and resumed his training. He taught at the Police Academy and opened a dojo in his back yard that would become known as the "Garden Dojo." It was here that Miyagi Sensei forged many fine men into great karate-ka. (3 - # 1), (5 – # 1)
Miyagi Sensei died on October 8th, 1953, at the age of 65 while serving his tenure at the Ryukyu Police Station. His legacy lives on through his senior students and countless others whose lives were changed because of his influence. Most notable among the students who carried on Miyagi Sensei’s teachings after his passing: Yagi Meitoku (Meibukan), Higa Seiko (Shobukan), Toguchi Seikichi (Shoreikan), Miyazato Ei’ichi (Jundokan) and Miyagi An’ichi (IOGKF). (1 – p. 46), (3 - # 1)
YAGI MEITOKU
In 1963, Yagi Meitoku (now referred to as Yagi Dai Sensei), most senior student of Miyagi Sensei, was chosen by Miyagi Sensei’s family to receive the Menkyo Kaiden (naming him official successor to the system) along with the master’s karate gi and belt. He was chosen by virtue of his extreme loyalty to Miyagi Sensei, his character, and his knowledge and ability in Goju-Ryu. (1 – p. 49), (3 - # 3)
Yagi Dai Sensei was born on March 6th, 1912. He is a descendant of the original "36 families" who arrived in Okinawa from China in 1392 and established a settlement here. He began his training with Miyagi Sensei in1926 at age 14. Initially, he had to do chores for his teacher to prove his loyalty and seriousness of desire to train. Once he had earned his way to become a student, he started his training. (1 – p. 43, 48), (3 - # 3)
For the first year of his training, he was taught only Sanchin Kata. Every student was required to be proficient in Sanchin before they were allowed to begin training other kata. The training sessions were long and brutal, but he never gave up. When he visited the local bathhouse, the local men would often comment about the bruises on his body, saying they could tell that he was training with Miyagi Sensei. (1 – p. 48), (3 - # 3)
The following is an excerpt from the new book put out by Meitetsu Yagi and two senior Meibu-Kai Sensei in Canada:
< Miyagi’s training in Karate was very hard, and he taught only seisan and seienchin [beyond the required sanchin kata] kata. But when Yagi Meitoku Dai Sensei was only in high school, Miyagi Sensei said, "I taught other senior disciples only seisan and seienchin Kata, but I will teach you all of the kata before I forget." So Yagi Sensei learned the complete Goju-ryu system from Miyagi. >
(1 – p. 48)
Yagi Meitoku was known as "the makiwara breaker." He could break a typical punching board at will, and occasionally sought out a particularly tough makiwara to break when others said that it could not be done. Yagi Dai Sensei remained a faithful student of his master, training and learning from him right to the point of Miyagi Sensei’s passing in 1953. After Miyagi Sensei’s death, Yagi Dai Sensei continued to teach in the Daido district of Naha. Yagi Dai Sensei has made the Miyagi family truly proud of their decision to select him as successor to the Goju-Ryu system. (1 – p. 49, 53), (3 - # 3)
Yagi Dai Sensei formed not only the Meibukan School of Okinawa Goju-Ryu (his immediate karate family) but also the Okinawa Goju-Kai in 1956 (an association that includes and helps propagate all Okinawan Goju-Ryu styles). (1 – p. 48, 53)
Yagi Dai Sensei is one of very few karate-ka to ever receive the 4th Order of Merit. Emperor Hirohito presented him with this title, "Living National Treasure" on April 29th, 1986, for his outstanding contributions to karate-do. Yagi Dai Sensei was later awarded the "First Okinawan Karate Prize" in 1993, and on August 29th, 1997, he was declared an " Intangible Cultural Asset" by the Government of Okinawa. (1 – p. 22, 48)
Yagi Dai Sensei is known and respected by karate masters world wide; even Gogen Yamaguchi, the creator of Japanese Goju, recognized Dai Sensei Yagi as the rightful heir to Miyagi Sensei’s system. Yamaguchi Sensei visited Yagi Dai Sensei in Okinawa several times to compare kata and to receive instruction in Okinawa Goju-Ryu. (1 – p. 17), (3 - # 3)
In addition to all of his ventures in the "hard-hitting" world of karate-do, Yagi Dai Sensei also excels in many softer endeavors, making him a perfect example using a healthy balance of "go" and "ju" to enrich ones life.
In 1988, he was the Japanese National Champion of Chun-Ji (the strategy based game of Chinese Chess). In 1989, he was not only Japanese champion, but World Champion as well. Along with his love of games, music is another of his creative pastimes. He regularly plays the piano and even learned to play the violin. He also learned to read and write in the Chinese kanji as well as the normally used "Japanese" kanji, and now writes poetry about karate-do and other subjects in the Chinese characters. Along with all of these wonderful achievements in his personal life, Yagi Dai Sensei also excelled in his professional life. He had a long and successful career working for the Okinawan Government and closed his illustrious work history by retiring as the Superintendent of Customs. (1 – p. 48), (3 - # 3)
Despite all of these wonderful accomplishments, Yagi Meitoku Dai Sensei has remained a humble and genuine person. For years, he spent each morning sweeping away the litter from the path of the children before they passed by his home on their way to school. In life, he is a gentle and kind man with all who he encounters. In training, he can be harsh and will accept none but each individual’s best effort. He has not only maintained the integrity and purity of Miyagi Sensei’s Goju-Ryu, but he has greatly helped to propagate and enrich all the systems of Okinawa Karate-Do by providing an example for others to follow. (3 - # 3)
Through tireless training and studying of kata and technique of Goju-Ryu as well as other systems, Yagi Dai Sensei has developed kata and training methods, which we now use in the Meibukan. These methods are unique to our system and go a long way in giving Meibukan practitioners an "edge" in the practical application of karate. One aspect of Meibukan Goju Ryu that is very strong in comparison to most others is the amount and quality of "body conditioning" involved in the training. All Goju-Ryu systems involve some sort of conditioning drills, but in Meibukan we have many more "old-way" methods available to us because of the training and sharing of information that Yagi Dai Sensei accomplished during his many visits to Taiwan and the gung fu masters there. These wonderful insights into the training of karate-do are one of Dai Sensei’s precious gifts to us who are fortunate enough to be in the family of Meibukan Goju-Ryu.
Yagi Dai Sensei is now retired from active teaching, but is still very active in the capacity of an advisor for the Zen Okinawa Karate-Do Renmei and the Okinawa Goju-Kai. He resides in Naha-Shi, Okinawa in his home which shares location with the Okinawa Hombu Meibukan Dojo—the Hombu Dojo was moved to the Kume district from the Daido area in 1957. At least twice every year all of his closest students gather so that Yagi Dai Sensei can instruct and talk with them to continue their knowledge and understanding of his teachings. (1 – p. 54)
Yagi Dai Sensei has ensured the integrity and continued vitality of Goju-Ryu Karate-Do by teaching his disciples the ways of Goju-Ryu as he learned them from Miyagi Sensei. He has cultivated many fine men into skilled karate-ka. First, his sons, Yagi Meitatsu and Meitetsu—who now head the operations of the Hombu Dojo in Okinawa—as well as other highly skilled karate-ka who began training with him as far back as the mid-fifties: Tamaki Yushun, Senaha Shigetoshi, Ishiki Tadanori, and Ikemiyagi Masaaki among those here in Okinawa. Outside Okinawa, there are a fortunate few who have been able to train with Yagi Dai Sensei; the most famous among them is Anthony Mirakian, who began his training in Meibukan in 1957.
IKEMIYAGI MASAAKI
My teacher, Ikemiyagi Masaaki was born in Nago-Shi, Okinawa, on December 23, 1953. He began his training under Yagi Dai Sensei at the age of 15 in 1968. He has remained a loyal and dedicated student of Yagi Dai Sensei ever since.
Ikemiyagi Sensei has been Kancho (dojo director) of his own Meibukan Dojo in Okinawa since 1981. Endeavoring continuously to improve his martial arts, he has traveled to China, Taiwan, Indonesia, Hawaii, Brazil, Australia, and the United States to train and conduct comparative research in the various martial arts systems. Some of the systems that he has studied are other forms of karate, judo, boxing, capoeira, and various forms of gung fu. Having befriended many top-level martial artists from around the world, he is often invited and goes abroad to teach seminars. In May of 1997, he went to Rio Rancho, New Mexico to conduct a seminar for the students of his friends: Francisco Rivera—Deshi of Lau Kai Ton, "Grand Master" of Hung Gar Gung Fu, Chin Wu Athletic Association; Lynn Yarmer—student of Francisco Rivera and Chief Instructor of the "Tracking Kenpo" system.
Challenges are a common occurrence among the Okinawan youth involved in the various martial arts systems taught in the collegiate athletics program. When these challenges came, Ikemiyagi Masaaki was always the first to answer. As a youth in Okinawa, he quickly developed a reputation as a skilled karate-ka and powerful fighter. At many of the local tournaments he would attend, competitors would often withdraw once they became aware that he was participating; not because he broke the rules, it was just that they knew they could not beat him—not to mention how badly it hurt to get hit by him. This "cute, little man," as most people would describe him, has the kind of power that most karate-ka can only dream of. Because of his teacher being known as the "the makiwara breaker," Ikemiyagi Sensei was inspired to train on the makiwara relentlessly since his start in karate training. He also has broken several makiwara—two since I have been training with him; he used to enjoy this, but anymore it is just a hassle to replace them. Now, Ikemiyagi Sensei keeps a heavy bag behind the "maki" so that he does not break it.
Today he is Kancho of the Meibukan Goju-Ryu, Okinawa Dojo in Okinawa-Shi and holds the rank of 8th Dan. He is one of only a handful of Yagi Dai Sensei’s earlier students who still actively teach. In the past, he has served as the Riji-Cho (Director General) of both the Zen Okinawa Karate-Do Renmei and the Okinawa Goju-Kai. At present time, he is once again the Riji-Cho of the Okinawa Goju-Kai (as of December 1997).
Ikemiyagi Sensei has produced many fine students that help to propagate Meibukan Goju-Ryu in very positive ways all over the world. Under the Okinawa Dojo, he has branch dojo operating in Australia, America, Indonesia, and here in Okinawa. One of his students, Ikemiyagi Shuichi Sensei, serves as the secretary of operations for the <Okinawa Collegiate Karate Training Organization. > In addition to teaching at the Okinawa Dojo, Ikemiyagi Sensei regularly travels to schools worldwide to conduct seminars and share his knowledge and experience with other martial artists. His love of travel was inspired early on when Yagi Dai Sensei took Ikemiyagi Sensei along on his trips to Taiwan. I have heard from several other sensei in the Meibukan that the only trouble Yagi Dai Sensei had on his trips to Taiwan was trying to keep the young Ikemiyagi Masaaki from fighting every challenger that came along.
Training at the Okinawa Dojo is an experience that one does not easily forget. The first thing I noticed about Ikemiyagi Sensei was that he was so kind to all of his students. The training is harsh, but his communication skills are superb. He always makes his students feel welcome, even when he is kicking them across the room. Each student is treated as an individual and as such is instructed in a manner that works best for him or her. Sensei is a very wise and open-minded man, and he allows for physical and personality differences in technique; however, "kata is not to be changed, ever." He teaches in a very traditional manner. We start with hojo undo (warm-ups) and then do all of the kihon (basic techniques); this is followed by group kata and then we end with various yakusoku kumite (pre-arranged sparring), kakie (push-hand sensitivity and strength drills), and kotekitae (arm banging). At this point, we all line up and bow out. The kids all go home, and then those adults who wish to train more stay to work on the further "advanced" skills—Sensei’s way of saying that they will hurt worse. These vary from leg and body conditioning drills to attack and defense drills done back and fourth across the dojo. These drills are often quite tiring, and are always painful. Sensei does not do much in the way of jyu kumite (free sparring); instead, we just work all our drills in contact range and to the level each individual has been promoted. Once a person reaches sho-dan, if he or she misses an incoming technique they will more than likely end up being knocked to the floor. Needless to say, people do not want to rush promotion in our dojo. Ikemiyagi Sensei is a wonderful teacher who does his best to help each student become stronger. He will let us all get a few licks in so that we can feel what it is like for the technique to work. Of course, he also returns a few in order to show us how the technique "feels." With Sensei, there is not an ounce of ego to get in the way of his teaching—one just has to be very careful not to get "cocky."
We in the Okinawa Dojo have a rare and enviable opportunity to learn from such an accomplished teacher with this kind direct connection to the great masters of the past. Through his teachings and guidance, we learn pure Goju-Ryu—a precious find in the modern world of martial arts. We feel it is our responsibility to train sincerely, behave as gentlemen of good character and integrity, and remain humble always. Sensei always tells us that karate should improve and enhance all the joys of life, not replace them. He stresses the importance of family and friends, and he also constantly reminds us with power comes the responsibility to do right in all circumstances.
Ikemiyagi Sensei teaches us the ways of Meibukan Goju-Ryu as he learned them from his master and teacher, Yagi Dai Sensei. He asks for nothing in return except that we train as hard as we can to become strong, while always remembering that having a kind heart shows a person’s true strength.
Conclusion:
I have lived here in Okinawa for just over eight years now, and I grow to love it more each day. It is a beautiful place filled with people whose hearts are filled with kindness. Here in Okinawa, the art of karate is still alive and well. From my beginnings as a martial artist, I was a child learning to fight. As I begin to understand the Okinawans and their art form, I am realizing that since I am now becoming a fighter, I must follow the example of the Okinawan Masters and learn to keep the heart and ever-open mind of a child.
Fin.
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Wade Chroninger—Chief Instructor
Meibukan Goju-Ryu, Okinawa Dojo,
International Student Branch
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Research Bibliography: My Beginnings with Karate-do & Meibukan History.
January 7, 1999
Works Sited and / or Consulted
(1). Yagi Meitetsu, Carl Wheeler, and Brock Vickerson; OKINAWAN KARATE-DO GOJU-RYU MEIBU-KAN, (pages 17, 22, 43, 44, 46 – 49, 53, 54); Published by the authors, 1998; Printed in Prince Edward Island, Canada by Action Press.
(2). TRADITIONAL KARATE-DO—Okinawa Goju Ryu Vol.1 Fundamental Techniques, (pages 22 - 29); Published by Sugawara Martial Arts Institute, Inc. Of Tokyo, Japan, 1997, Eighth Printing, 1985, First Printing; ISBN: 0-87040-595-0; Printed in Japan
(3). Rob Monaco’s Internet Site—pages: #1 http://gojuryu.net/miyagi.html , #2 http://gojuryu.net/higaonna.html , #3 http://gojuryu.net/yagi.html ,
(4). John Porta’s Internet Site—pages: #1 http://www.nserver.com/shobukan/gojuhist.html , Note: This article originally appeared in the Journal of Asian Martial Arts (Vol. 3, No. 3, 1994)
(5). Internet Web Site—page #1 http://www.smn.co.jp/keyword/0023k01e.html , Article Title: OKINAWA: "Half a Century of American Military Bases and the Okinawan People;" Authored by: Tetsuo Maeda, Military journalist; (3/10/95)
(6). Alexander Lim Ko; FIVE ANCESTOR FIST KUNG-FU The way of Ngo Cho Kun, (pages 31, 32); Published by Charles E. Tuttle Company. Of Rutland, Vermont & Tokyo, Japan, 1997, first Tuttle addition; LCC Card Number 97-60011; ISBN 0-8048-3153-X; Printed in Singapore.
