History of the International Okinawan Goju Ryu Karate-do Federation

The international Okinawan Goju Ryu Karate-do Federation (IOGKF) was established in July 1979, during a meeting held at the first International Gasshaku in Pool, Dorset, England. Morio Higaonna Sensei became Chairman and World Chief Instructor.

For a long time the number of International students training under Sensei Higoanna had been growing rapidly. At the founding meeting there were 18 countries represented. Most importantly, the IOGKF was being formed with the support and backing of Ken Miyagi (the fourth son of the founder of Goju Ryu, Miyagi Chojun Sensei), An'ichi Miyagi (successor to Chojun Miyagi) and senior students of the late Chojun Miyagi: Seiko Kina, Seijin Nakamoto, Kiei Tomoyose, Shunshin Furugen, Jitsuei Yogi and Shuichi Aragaki.

The IOGKF was established for the purpose of protecting and preserving the traditional Goju Ryu Karate-do as a tangible treasure in its original form as passed on by Goju Ryu founder Chojun Miyagi, and spreading this art throughout the nations of the world.

At the inaugural meting it was proposed that within each country associations would be formed to strengthen the Federation as a whole. Each year Gasshakus (training camps) would be held in member countries, to ensure the transmission of correct technique and to promote friendship and exchange between members. In this way the Federation could be strengthened, tradition preserved and Goju Ryu spread throughout the world. Benefits would be felt by all members as they developed technically through practicing together.

Since its beginning in 1979 the IOGKF has been growing rapidly. At the time of writing there are 35 countries worldwide with new members joining all the time.

The IOGKF is today as dedicated to its original purpose as it was in 1979. The IOGKF represents the philosophy of Goju Ryu founder 'Bushi' Chojun Miyagi, and with this in mind Higaonna Sensei reminds us that it is important to the further improvement and development of Goju Ryu karate through diligent training so that we may come to understand the very essence of our art.

The Okinawan Traditional Goju Ryu Karate-do Association

The OTGKA which is affiliated to the IOGKF was formed in January 2002 by Sensei George Andrews and his senior instructors to preserve and follow the Traditional Okinawan Goju Ryu of his instructor Sensei Morio Higaonna.

The information on this page is taken directly from the OTGKA Licence.