On January 28, 1936, Chojun Miyagi Sensei, the founder of Goju-Ryu Karate, delivered a lecture on karate at the lecture hall located on the 4th floor of Meiji Shoten in Sakaisuji, Osaka. The lecture, titled “Ryukyu Kenpo Karatedo Enkaku Gaiyo” (translated as Historical Outline of Karatedo, Martial Arts of Ryukyu), offered valuable insights into the art’s history, styles, philosophy, and training method.

Below is the link to the full translation of the lecture, followed by our reflections on some of Sensei Chojun Miyagi’s notable remarks. While Sensei Miyagi extensively discussed the historical roots of karate, our analysis focuses on his perspectives regarding karate philosophy, styles, and teaching methods.

Karate Philosophy

On karate’s philosophy, Chojun Miyagi Sensei commented that in earlier times, karate was taught primarily as a method of self-defense, with less focus on the underlying moral and philosophical aspects. While instructors may have emphasized the motto “no first attack in karate” in theory, in practice, they often neglected its moral teachings.

However, Sensei Miyagi observed that, over time, karate instruction evolved to adopt a more balanced approach, shifting from the philosophy of “body first, mind second” to “mind first, body second.” This change reflects the historical context of his 1936 lecture in Osaka, aligning with Okinawan karate masters’ efforts to popularize karate on the Japanese mainland. By shedding the image of karate as a brutal fighting art associated with thugs, they introduced it as a discipline focused on personal growth, societal harmony, and the development of both physical and moral strength.

According to oral history, in the old days, the teaching policy of karate put emphasis on self-defence techniques. With just a motto of no first attack in karate, teachers were said to have introduced their students to the moral qualities of karate. However, I have heard that in reality they tended to neglect such moral principles.

Gradually the teaching policy was improved with the change of the times. Now we have discontinued and abolished the wrong tradition of so-called body first and mind second and we made our way towards a Tao of the fighting arts or the truth of karate. Eventually we have established the correct motto mind first, and body second which means karate and Zen are one and the same.

Chojun Miyagi

In stating that “karate and Zen are one and the same,” Sensei Miyagi sought to align karate with Zen principles, elevating the art of the empty hand to the level of a Tao of the fighting arts. This vision and re-definition brought karate in line with other respected martial arts of mainland Japan, such as kendo and kyudo, aiming to establish it as a holistic practice that integrates physical prowess with mental and spiritual discipline.

Karate Styles

It seems that Sensei Chojun Miyagi did not believe in the concept of karate styles, viewing them as mere speculation without solid research or evidence.

Sensei Miyagi emphasized a single root of karate: Chinese kung fu, from which he and his masters derived their martial arts knowledge. In his lecture, he mentioned the year 1828, likely referring to the period during which his masters or his masters’ masters (Kanryo Higaonna, Arakaki Seishō, Ryū Ryū Ko, and Go Kenki), trained in Chinese martial arts and subsequently passed this knowledge on to Okinawan martial artists.

There are various opinions about Ryu or the styles of karate in Ryukyu (Okinawa) but they are just guess work, without any definite research or evidence. With regard to this matter, we feel as if we are groping in the dark.

According to popular opinion we can categorize karate into two styles; Shorin-Ryu and Shorei-Ryu. Commentators insist that the former is fit for a stout person, while the latter for a slim person. Such an opinion has proved to be false through many studies.

In the meantime, there is the only opinion we can trust. It is as follows:

In 1828 (Qing or Ching dynasty in China), our ancestors inherited the kungfu style of Fujian province in China. They continued their studies and formed Goju-Ryu karate. Even today, there still exists an orthodox group which inherited genuine and authentic Goju-ryu karate.

Chojun Miyagi

The Key Features of Karate

For a man of great strength and dedication who devoted his entire life to studying karate and even traveled to China multiple times to train with Chinese masters, Sensei Chojun Miyagi’s remarks on key features of karate – such as “you can practice karate by yourself,” “you don’t have to spend many hours practicing karate,” and “you can practice karate with simple equipment, such as the makiwara, or without it” – seem intended to encourage ordinary people to take up karate training rather than advising serious practitioners.

Some important features of karate are as follows:

  • A large place or a spacious area is not required for practicing karate.
  • You can practice karate by yourself. You can also do it together with other karate members by forming a group.
  • You don’t have to spend many hours in practicing karate.
  • You can choose kata suitable for your physical strength and practice it regardless of age and gender.
  • Without spending much money, you can practice karate with simple equipment, such as the makiwara, or without it.
  • Karate is very effective as a means of health promotion. There are many karateka who are healthy and live long.
  • As a result of training in mind and body, you can cultivate your character and acquire indomitable spirit.
Chojun Miyagi

Nevertheless, everything Chojun Miyagi Sensei highlighted about the key features of karate remains relevant and applicable to practitioners today. Karate does not require a large space, and it can be practiced individually or in a group setting. Daily practice does not need to be overly time-consuming; even 30 to 45 minutes of consistent training can yield significant benefits. Practitioners can select kata suited to their physical abilities, making karate accessible to people of all ages and fitness levels. Additionally, karate can be practiced without equipment, or with simple tools such as the makiwara.

Chojun Miyagi’s inclusive philosophy underscores his belief that karate is for everyone, regardless of their circumstances. He viewed it as a discipline with the potential to promote health, cultivate character, and harmonize the body and mind. This enduring vision makes karate not just a martial art but a transformative practice that supports personal growth and well-being.

Karate Training Methods

Below are Sensei Chojun Miyagi’s complete comments on karate teaching methods.

As each person has his or her distinctive character, the muscle development is different depending on his or her muscle use. Therefore, at first, we do Preparatory Exercise to develop our muscles so that we can practice karate exercises more easily, then Fundamental Kata, Supplementary Exercise, Kaishu Kata and Kumite Training. We teach karate in this way.

(1) Preparatory Exercise

We exercise each muscle of our body in order to enhance its flexibility, strength and endurance, and then we practice the fundamental kata, namely Sanchin, Tensho and Naifanchi. We repeat this preparatory exercise after our practice of kata to relax our muscles. Finally we practice a breathing exercise and take a rest quietly.

(2) Fundamental Kata

Sanchin, Tensho and Naifanchi are the fundamental kata. By practicing them, we learn to develop correct posture. We can inhale and exhale correctly. We can harmoniously adjust, increase or decrease our power. We can develop a powerful physique and the strong will of warrior.

(3) Supplementary Exercise

This exercise enables us to learn and perform Kaishu kata well. We exercise each part of our body with a particular movement. We also practice with various pieces of equipment to enhance our overall strength and, in particular, strengthen individual parts of the body.

(4) Kaishu Kata (A kata apart from Fundamental Kata)

Nowadays we have about twenty or thirty kinds of kata and their names are diverse depending on their creators. Kata has techniques for defence and offense which are connected appropriately. Kata moves in various directions and in this it is something like gymnastics. We should perform kata by using the power of mind and body in accordance with its technical purpose so that we can learn the principles associated with dismantling and putting the kata back together.

(5) Kumite Training

We take apart Kaishu kata which we already learned, and we study the techniques of defence and offense in the kata. Understanding its technical purpose, we practice the techniques of attack and defence with fighting spirit just as we would in a real situation.

Chojun Miyagi

Below are our key takeaways from Chojun Miyagi’s comments on karate training methods:

1. Five Components of Karate Training

According to Chojun Miyagi Sensei, karate training is divided into five key components: Preparatory Exercise, Fundamental Kata, Supplementary Exercise, Kaishu Kata and Kumite Training. Below, we delve into the details of each component.

2. Preparatory Exercise

Preparatory exercises according to Chojun Miyagi consists of the following:

  • Firstly, exercises for each muscle group in the body to enhance its flexibility, strength and endurance. While he did not specify the exact exercises, his focus on these three core elements was remarkably forward-thinking. These remain foundational goals for martial artists, supporting both performance and injury prevention.
  • Secondly, practicing fundamental kata, namely Sanchin, Tensho and Naifanchi. We know that Sanchin and Tensho are central to the Goju-Ryu curriculum, emphasizing breathing, posture, and power control. However, the inclusion of Naifanchi (commonly spelled Naihanchi) is surprising, as it is not typically part of standard Goju-Ryu practice. While some Goju-Ryu dojos incorporate Naihanchi, it is generally more associated with Shorin-Ryu and other Okinawan karate styles.
  • Thirdly, the preparatory exercises are repeated after kata practice to relax our muscles. This is likely the equivalent of modern cool-down exercises performed at the end of training sessions, which aim to reduce muscle tension and promote recovery.
  • Lastly, breathing exercises to help with recovery, followed by quiet rest. Again while we do not know exactly what these breathing exercises are, they likely reflect the importance of proper breathing in managing recovery, calming the mind, and harmonizing the body after training (we guess that they are probably similar to the typical breathing exercises after Sanchin kata practice).
3. Fundamental Kata as the Core of Training

Chojun Miyagi Sensei again emphasized that Sanchin, Tensho, and Naifanchi are fundamental kata that aid in developing proper posture, breathing, power control, and mental focus.

While Sanchin and Tensho remain integral to the Goju-Ryu curriculum today (it is often said that Goju Ryu karate begins and ends with Sanchin), the inclusion of Naifanchi in Sensei Miyagi’s list of fundamental kata is again notable. Naihanchi is not commonly practiced in most Goju-Ryu schools today, raising questions about its historical role within the style.

One possible explanation for this discrepancy is that Chojun Miyagi Sensei passed away unexpectedly without naming an official successor. As a result, his students later made independent decisions about what to include in their teachings. Shortly after Miyagi Sensei’s death, his family selected Eiichi Miyazato Sensei as his official successor. Miyazato Sensei taught 12 Goju-Ryu kata: Sanchin, Gekisai Dai Ichi, Gekisai Dai Ni, Saifa, Seiyunchin, Sanseru, Kururunfa, Seisan, Suparinpei, and Tensho. Naihanchi kata was not included in this list.

Eiichi Miyazato Sensei also trained other prominent karate masters, such as An’ichi Miyagi and Morio Higaonna. Under this lineage, the training curriculum included only the aforementioned 12 kata.

Similarly, Gogen Yamaguchi Sensei, another distinguished student of Chojun Miyagi who later founded Gojukai, adhered to the same set of 12 kata, which did not include Naihanchi.

4. Supplementary Exercises for Specific Strengthening

The third components of karate training, according to Sensei Chojun Miyagi, is supplementary exercises which aim to improve overall strength as well as that of individual parts of the body.

We believe the supplementary exercises that Miyagi Sensei referred to are the hojo undo training that uses traditional tools such as makiwara (striking post), jari bako (sandbox), chiishi (strength stones), nigiri gami (gripping jars), tan (barbell), kongoken (iron ring), ishisashi (stone lock), tou (bamboo bundle), as well as other partnered body conditioning exercises. These exercises aim to build overall strength as well as strengthening hands and feet and turn them into powerful weapons.

Miyagi Sensei believed that these supplementary exercises enhanced one’s ability to perform the kaishu kata effectively. Kaishu kata translates to “open-hand” kata, but in practice, it refers to kata performed with the body remaining open, relaxed, and in a ready state. Apart from Sanchin and Tensho, all the remaining ten kata in the Goju-Ryu curriculum are considered open-hand or kaishu kata (e.g., Gekisai Ichi, Saifa, Seiyunchin, Shisochin, Sanseru, etc.).

5. Kaishu Kata and Principles of Technique

Chojun Miyagi Sensei mentioned that there were about twenty or thirty different kata. However, as we understand it, the practice at the time was that a master might teach different students different sets of kata. This suggests that the fact his students later taught only about a dozen kata indicates they were not exposed to the full repertoire of kata that Miyagi Sensei knew.

One of Chojun Miyagi Sensei’s top students was Jinan Shinzato, whom Miyagi Sensei held in high regard. Miyagi Sensei even sent Shinzato to Tokyo to teach martial arts on his behalf at the prestigious Dai Nippon Butokukai. Shinzato was widely considered the likely successor to Chojun Miyagi and had likely been taught everything Miyagi knew. Tragically, Shinzato was killed in 1945 during the final year of World War II, a loss that deeply upset and depressed Chojun Miyagi. [1]

In his lecture, Chojun Miyagi noted that kaishu kata introduces a diverse range of offensive and defensive techniques, arranged systematically. He emphasized that one must practice kata by engaging both the power of the mind and body, with a thorough understanding of the techniques’ purposes and the underlying principles.

6. Kumite as Applied Practice

In his lecture, Chojun Miyagi Sensei described kumite as “we take apart kaishu kata which we already learned, and we study the techniques of defense and offense in the kata.” This refers to practicing the applications (bunkai) of the kaishu kata rather than free sparring, which is how kumite is generally understood today. He also emphasized that bunkai practice must embody the fighting spirit of real-life combat situations.

7. Systematic Progression in Training

The final observation about Miyagi Sensei’s remarks on karate training methods is the structured progression from preparatory exercises to kumite, which reflects a systematic training program. This aligns with our understanding of traditional Goju-Ryu karate training, where fundamental kata (Sanchin and Tensho) and body conditioning using traditional tools formed the core of the curriculum. Students often spent up to three years mastering Sanchin kata before being introduced to kaishu (specialist) kata and their practical applications. Kumite training was only practiced after a solid period of training in fundamental kata and kaishu kata.

Conclusion

Miyagi’s lecture reflects his vision of karate as a lifelong practice that combines physical mastery with moral and spiritual growth. His systematic approach emphasizes a progression from foundational skills and body conditioning to advanced kata and practical applications, making karate not only a martial art but also a way of life.

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