Gōjū-ryū

from Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Gōjū-ryū ( Japanese 剛柔 流 , dt. "Hard and soft style") is a karate style with a long tradition , which contains many elements of the original Chinese boxing of the 17th to 19th centuries. The name Gōjū-ryū was chosen by Chōjun Miyagi (1888-1953). When choosing the style name, Miyagi referred to the long-kept secret Bubishi , in which one of the "eight rules of fistfighting" ( 拳法 之 大 要 八句 kenpō no taiyō hakku ) reads: "Everything in the universe breathes hard and soft" ( 法 剛柔 呑 吐 hō gōjū donto ).

history

In the Bugei Ryūha Daijiten , the encyclopedia of martial arts by Kyoshi Watatani and Yamada Tadashi ( Tokyo , 1978), Gōjū-ryū is characterized as follows:

  • 古 式 の 技 で あ る と い う. ( Koshiki no waza dearu toiu. )

This means: (Gōjū-ryū is) "Also called Koshiki no Waza." Koshiki no Waza are "ancient techniques", "old school techniques", or "ancient rites ". Accordingly, the Gōjū-ryū is the tradition of traditional fighting methods.

Gōjū-ryū karate developed from the research and systematization of effective unarmed combat movements on Okinawa . The development of Gōjū-Ryū Karate is linked to the history of China , Ryūkyū and Japan .

Ryūkyū

Ryukyu kingdoms in the Sanzan period

During the Three Kingdoms Period ( Sanzan Jidai ), three feudal lords ( Anji ) fought for power in Okinawa, using the usual military means, measures, tactics and strategies such as the use of weapons , riding , building fortifications , etc. During the early days of Okinawa accordingly there were military conflicts, in 1429 a ban on the possession of weapons was imposed on the entire population . The possession of weapons was controlled by state stocks and sanctioned by severe penalties.

As the strategic trading partner of the Chinese empire , which was then culturally ruling in Asia , Okinawa came into contact with numerous Asian countries via the maritime trade routes . In the 15th century, China sent the king of Ryūkyū a complete “cultural office”, the so-called 36 families ( Sanjuroku Sei ), who settled in the village of Kume , which belongs to Naha . They came from the southern Chinese province of Fujian and originally they were ship craftsmen and navigators who were supposed to support the tribute traffic between China and Ryūkyū. Later, the members of this community took care of all sorts of administrative , commercial , cultural (including technology) and security issues and for the first time systematically brought knowledge of Chinese Quánfǎ ( Kung Fu ) to Okinawa. For centuries, Kume was the window to Chinese culture for Ryūkyū.

In 1609 the militarily inexperienced kingdom Ryūkyū was conquered by Shimazu from Satsuma , Kyūshū . However, all functions of the kingdom, such as the royal court in Shuri , the 36 families and the tribute relationship with China continued, which was crucial for the development of karate. The Shimazu also renewed the gun ban.

A native fighting system existed on Okinawa, which was called Te and can be proven for the first time in written sources in the 17th century: Teijunsoku Oyakata (1663–1734) was the head of the city of Nago and a Confucian scholar. He wrote around 1700:

Regardless of how you might excel in the art of te, or in your academic pursuit ...; nothing is more important than your behavior and your humanity and how you follow them in daily life.

Te literally means "hand", but here means something like fighting method. In the Okinawa dialect, this term is still pronounced as デ ィ イ (with a long i ). In terms of content, it can be compared with the Japanese Jutsu .

A first systematization can be found in the combat system of direct continental descent called Tōde 唐 手 , which was increasingly demonstrably transferred from China to Okinawa from around the 17th century.

  • Around 1683: The Chinese envoy Wanshu teaches Quánfǎ in Okinawa.
  • Around 1760: the Chinese military attaché Kūsankū teaches at least one student in Okinawa, Chatan Yara .
  • "Tōde" Sakugawa Kanga lived in the 18th and 19th centuries. Century. Its traditional nickname "Tōde" is evidence of the synthesis of Te with Quánfǎ.
  • 19th century: Transfer of the Bubishi to Okinawa begins; Influence of the South Chinese styles of the 17th to 19th centuries. (The Bubishi document is considered evidence of the transfer of Chinese boxing to Okinawa. It is the only known document of this type and scope, and it deals with Chinese boxing styles from which the kata of Gōju-ryū originated ( white crane and Arhat boxes))
  • Chōjun Miyagi wrote in his 1934 newspaper article An Overview of Karate-do : "A style of kungfu was brought from Fuzhou to Okinawa in 1828 and served as a source and inspiration for the Gōjū-ryū Karate Kempō". To this day it is not clear who or what he meant by that.

Tōde 唐 手 can be interpreted in different ways. Te literally means “hand”, but basically describes a fighting method. Tōde 唐 手 means something like "Chinese fighting method" or "foreign fighting method". (Tō is the (Chinese) Tang Dynasty , but also simply means China or "foreign").

Other Southeast Asian influences are considered very likely.

Responsible for the development of the later karate were the often official functions within the ranking system of the kingdom. The functions of these ranks ranged from the street policeman to village chiefs and security personnel for castles or tribute ships to high ministers , princes and princes. On the basis of the titles of the most important protagonists of Okinawean martial arts from the time of the Ryūkyū kingdom, it can be clearly demonstrated that they were people of rank.

Ranks in the Ryūkyū Kingdom (in ascending order):

  • Samurai Range:
    • Chikudun (literally "to rise to rank")
    • Chikudun Pechin
    • Satunushi
    • Satunushi Pechin
    • Pēchin
  • Daimyorang:
    • Oyakata (village head to minister)
    • Anji (prince, marquis )
    • Ōji ( prince and other close relatives of the king )

With the abolition of the Ryūkyū Kingdom and the incorporation of Okinawa Prefecture into the Japanese Empire in 1879, all of these ranks and with them many culturally occupied rights and duties were lost (this is why the karateka more recently have no titles).

It was not until 1905 that karate ( Shōrin-Ryū and Shōrei-Ryū ) was first taught publicly in the Okinawes school system (by Itosu Ankō and Higaonna Kanryō ).

Style delimitations

The native fighting system Te was considerably improved by the influence of the Chinese Quánfǎ and was called Tōde 唐 手 from the 18th century . From this the original karate 空手 developed over time , which was divided into Shuri-te 首 里手 , Tomari-te 泊 手 and Naha-te 那覇 手 , i.e. into the specific fighting methods of the Shuri, Tomari and Naha districts. This classification is still partly valid today. There are also other original styles that cannot be directly assigned to the classifications mentioned. Furthermore, these styles are assigned to two superordinate classes: Shōrin-Ryū 流 流 and Shōrei-Ryū 昭 霊 流 .

Shōrin-ryū 少林 流

Describes the styles of Shuri-te 首 里手 and Tomari-te 泊 手 . Shōrin 少林 here means " Shaolin style" and is a reference to the influence of the northern Chinese styles of the Shaolin temple. Literally Shōrin 少林 means "a bit of forest".

Today Shōrin-ryū is divided as follows:

  • Matsubayashi-ryū 松林 流 : Matsubayashi-ryū can also be read as “Shōrin” as an alternative. It means " pine grove ".
  • Kobayashi-ryū / Shōbayashi-ryū: 小林 流 : These two can also be pronounced “Shōrin”. Ko and Shō are two ways of reading Kanji . In fact, it is believed that only a "reading error" led to the distinction. In terms of their origins, both styles are almost identical. Kobayashi / Shōbayashi 小林 means "small forest."
  • Shōrin-ji-ryū 少林寺 流 : Founded in 1954 by Nakazato Joen. Shōrin-ji 少林寺 means "Shaolin Temple".
  • Sukunai Hayashi-ryū 少林 流 : Again, this is an alternative reading of the same Kanji as in "Shōrin-ryū", with "Shōrin" again meaning "Shaolin". Reading the Kanji as Shō means "little, a little", whereas the reading Sukunai means "little, little" (This style is also known as Matsumura Seitō-ha 松 村 正統 派 .)

Shōrei-ryū 昭 霊 流

Usually describes the Naha-te 那覇 手 , the later Gōjū-ryū 剛柔 流 . The development of this current was influenced by South Chinese styles. Shōrei 昭 霊 means something like "clear mind". It is not known whether this term once had a specific meaning in relation to the South Chinese styles. The Shōrei-Ryū 昭 霊 流 also include Uechi-Ryū 上 地 流 and Ryūei Ryū 劉衛 流 because of their southern Chinese origin .

  • Gōjū-ryū 剛柔 流
  • Uechi-ryu 上 地 流
  • Ryūei Ryū 劉衛 流

In his conception of karatedō, Mabuni Kenwa combines the Okinawan styles Shōrin-ryū and Shōrei-ryū in Shitō-ryū .

Historical protagonists

Gōjū-ryū is equally represented in “Japanese” as in “Okinawa” karate. In today's styles, the peculiarity of the respective Gōjū-Ryū current often relates to the period in which the art was learned, or to the corresponding training of the masters of that time (Chōjun Miyagi, Seiko Higa etc.) who taught karate. The type of training that was practiced in Okinawa in the first half of the 20th century by Chōjun Miyagi came to the Japanese main islands in its original form in 1930 and was preserved there. There are also dōjō which have the traditional form taught by Seiko Higa as their content.

Higaonna Kanryō (1853-1916)

Studied Chinese martial arts in the tradition of " white crane boxing " and designed the art of Naha-te. His most important student was Chōjun Miyagi. Kanryō was born on March 10, 1853 in Nishimachi, Naha, Okinawa. When Kanryō was 14 years old, his father died. In the same year he began his training in karate with Arakaki Seishō 新 垣 世宗 (1840-1920), who was later sent to China in the role of Tsūji Pēchin (translator). Kanryō also went to China, but to study martial arts. He went to Fuzhou 福州 in the southern Chinese province of Fujian 福建省 . It is said that he reached the port city in 1873 and stayed for fifteen years. It is not entirely clear with whom he studied which style; Sometimes the Kojō-Dōjō in Fujian is accepted as the starting point, and the Bukan ( 武官 ; military officer ) Wei Shinzan (who is said to have been forbidden to teach private people because of his profession). A large part of Kanryō's teaching goes back to Ryūrūko , a Chinese master in the tradition of white crane boxing.

The Chinese system that Kanryō learned from Wei Shinzan and Ryūrūko was probably a mixture of southern Chinese style elements, based on the white crane boxing and the 5-ancestral style . (This is confirmed by the trip of a Japanese group under the direction of Kisaki Tomoharu to Fujian in the mid-80s, in the forms of the Chinese styles with the Gōjū-Ryū Kata such as Sanchin 三 戦 , Sansēru 三 十六 , Sūpārinpei (Pēcchurrin) 百Allgemein .) Another general term for the South Chinese boxing styles of that time is given as Pan Gainoon 一半 硬 半 軟 , which literally means "half-hard half-soft". Kanryō also studied weapons techniques. (An interesting matter, especially in relation to the history and curriculum of Ryūei-ryū.)

Chōjun Miyagi (1888-1953)

Born April 25, 1888 in Higashimachi, Naha . Gōjū-ryū named after him. Through Miyagi's work, among other things, the Gōjū-Ryū became the first karate style that was officially recognized and registered by the Dainippon Butokukai 大 日本 武 徳 会 in 1933. At the same time, Miyagi was the first karateka who was awarded a Japanese budo title in karate-jutsu by the Dainippon Butokukai , that of a kyoshi . After his death, his most important students founded their own Gōjū-Ryū-Dōjō and associations. The legitimate independence of each of these dōjō and associations is shown by the fact that today, for more precise specification, the dōjō name is used in addition to the style, for example Shōdōkan, Jundōkan, Meibukan etc., or the corresponding association is used as a basis.

Higa Seiko (1898–1966)

Born on November 8, 1898 in Naha. From 1911 or 1912 he trained under Higaonna Kanryō, later together with Chōjun Miyagi, who was, so to speak, Higas Sempai . After a career as a teacher and police officer , he opened his first own karate dōjō in 1931. Specification: Shōdōkan

Yagi Meitoku (1912-2003)

Born on March 6, 1912. Began training in 1926 under Chōjun Miyagi. After Miyagi death family were him by Miyagi Dogi and Obi inherited the master (the Dogi was once bought by Miyazato Ei'ichi for Miyagi). Specification: Meibukan, founded in 1952

Toguchi Seikichi (1917–1998)

Born on May 20, 1917 in Naha. Specification: Shoreikan

Miyazato Eiichi (1922–1999)

Born on July 5, 1922 in Higashi-machi, Naha. Started his karate training in 1935 and joined Chōjun Miyagi in 1938. After Miyagi's death in 1953, Miyazato inherited all the Hojo- Undo devices ( 補助 運動 ) from his master. Specification: Jundōkan, founded in 1954

Kisaki Tomoharu (1920–1996)

Kisaki Tomoharu (center) on a International Summer School of Yuishinkan in Kamen

9. Dan Hanshi from Osaka , Japan. In 1939 he joined the karate club of Ritsumeikan University with Uchiage Kenzo and Katano Kenkichi , where he studied Gōjū-ryū under and with Chōjun Miyagi, Yamaguchi Gōgen and others. The Ritsumeikan University was not only the stronghold of the Japanese gōjū-ryū, but also provided a tough faction in kumite matters, which was described as "last-man-standing" mode ( Ōyama Masutatsu was a witness of these battles ). In 1954 he founded the Yuishinkan- Dojo in Osaka, which celebrated its 50th anniversary in 2004. In addition to Kenzo Uchiage, Kinkichi Katano, Yamaguchi Gōgen, Shozo Ujita and Mitsuyasu Okamura, Kisaki Tomoharu was one of the six most important representatives of early Gōjū-ryū in Japan. Specification: Yuishinkan, founded in 1954. Sensei Kisaki is a descendant of a family with samurai roots and traditions. His father was mayor of the Morigushi district of Osaka for many years . A large stone bust of his father, who was a highly respected member of the traditional nomenclature, still stands in front of the Keihan building . Tomoharu was also committed to these traditions and completed a military career that also took him to China, where he was able to turn to the roots of karate for a few years. In addition, he was closely connected to the Jūdō . He brought all of these experiences to the Yuishinkan. In Japan he made a name for himself in particular as an instructor at the university and in the police force and enjoyed a great reputation as a representative of Gōjū-Ryū Karate. He established offshoots of Yuishinkan both in Europe , in Germany as the largest bastion (center is Kamen , North Rhine-Westphalia ) (Seiko Shihan Fritz Nöpel ) and Belgium , as well as in Australia .

Higaonna Morio (born 1938)

Morio Higaonna is a prominent Karateka of Goju Ryu. He is the founder of the International Okinawan Goju-ryu Karate-do Federation (IOGKF). He has the highest rank (10th Dan) in Goju Ryu Karate. He is also the author of several books, for example Traditional Karate-do: Okinawa Goju Ryu (1985) and The history of Karate: Okinawan Goju Ryu (2001).

technology

In traditional Gōjū-Ryū Karate, defensive, attack and avoidance movements are combined with all parts of the body and used with foot and body movements ( Tai Sabaki ) in defensive and offensive maneuvers in unarmed combat. The effective hand-to-hand combat techniques are characteristic. However, like every style, Gōjū-ryū teaches combat at all distances or over the entire “Ma-ai”.

training

Gōgen Yamaguchi in Kumite with his son Goshi, 1949

The training itself consists of various supporting ( Makiwara , strength training ), stylistic ( Kihon , Kata , Kumite ) and general sporting exercises ( warm-up exercises , stretching exercises, etc.), started and ended with Reigi 礼儀 ( politeness , decency , behavior). The discipline required during training has a (self-) disciplining effect on the one hand, and is an important prerequisite for safety when training with partners on the other.

  • Kihon is the elementary school of karate, in which explicit techniques are practiced and refined.
  • Kata are fixed sequences of movements. The individual styles differ mainly in the number and type of kata practiced and the resulting style principles.
  • Kumites are combat exercises with partners. From fixed exercises ( Yakusoku-Kumite ) to free fighting, everything is possible. For the free fight , which is often called Tegumi or Iri-kumi, in addition to athleticism, a certain human and technical maturity is required, as well as sufficient taker and giver qualities.

In Gōjū-ryū , special attention is also given to breathing called Ibuki or Ikibuki; more precisely, the coordination of breathing with movements, which is mainly taught in the Heishu-Kata Sanchin and Tenshō .

In addition to the "hard" kick and punch techniques , in contrast to other karate styles, supposedly "soft" techniques such as throws , strangleholdings , arm and leg levers , grab handles and ground fighting have always been taught.

Another specialty are the so-called "sticky hands" (Japanese: Kaki-e), a very effective grappling exercise.

Principles and methods that come into play in training are for example Gamaku ガ マ ク (hip insert) and Kakie カ キ エ . Here are some descriptions:

  • Muchimi ム チ ミ : Translated as yielding, flexible, elastic, this actually means "heavy, sticky hand". The movements of the hands are carried out fluently. Example: Tenshō-Kata.
  • Chiru no Chan Chan: This is a form of muscle tension in which the muscles are tense, but still flexible and elastic. Enables sensitivity and, as a result, appropriate reaction to an attack.
  • Chinkuchi Kakin チ ン ク チ カ キ ン : often simply called Chinkuchi. Refers to the tension or stabilization of the joints. In contrast to muchimi, the joints of the body are "locked" here for the moment of impact. An example of an "extended" Chinkuchi Kakin and typical for this use of the word is the Sanchin-Kata, and so it is also located in the area of ​​Kikōjutsu 気 功 術 , since the locking of the joints is coordinated with the breath or even brought about by it. - Chinkuchi チ ン ク チ . The meaning is a "constricting" or "tightening" the muscles and joints in a locked state. Another expression for this is Gōtaijutsu 剛体 術 , the skill of the rigid body or Gōtaika 剛体 化 , hardening the body.
  • Chikara nu nujisashi: Refers to the slow, controlled parts of the kata. Contrasts with the purely powerful movements. Possibly: - chikara : power, strength. - nu = no . - nu (ku) (as a suffix): do something all the time until the end. - sa (su) or sa (shi) : stretch out (the hand); swelling; or as an emphatic verb prefix .

Kata

Sanchin with Kitae (1963)

The Kata in Gōjū-Ryū are characterized by dynamic, circular movements and a stable stance. The explicit movement patterns and basic fighting tactics of traditional karate have been handed down in numerous kata (fixed technique sequences within a certain form) . The kata is therefore often interpreted as the “text book” of karate. Some of these kata are proven to be several hundred years old (for example Sanchin ).

Chōjun Miyagi (1888–1953) set 12 kata for the Gōjū-ryū. (There are also the Taikyoku -Kata, which have their origin in Japan and are also practiced in Germany .) The Kata can be roughly divided into the following categories and types:

Category:

  • "Fukyu-Kata" (Japanese 普及 型 , German "common kata" → beginners kata)
  • " Kihon -Kata" (Japanese 基本 , dt. "Kata of the elementary school")
  • " Koryū -Kata" (Japanese 古 流 型 dt. "Kata of the old school" → classical kata with Chinese origin)

Type:

  • "Haishu-Kata" (Japanese 閉 手 型 , German "Kata of the closed hand")
  • "Kaishu-Kata" (Japanese 開 手 型 , German "Kata of the open hand")

Taikyoku

Taikyoku-Kata of Gōjū-Ryū category
Taikyoku-Jodan Fukyu Kata ( 普及 型 )
Taikyoku Chudan Fukyu Kata ( 普及 型 )
Taikyoku Gedan Fukyu Kata ( 普及 型 )
Taikyoku Kake-Uke Fukyu Kata ( 普及 型 )
Taikyoku Joshugi Fukyu Kata ( 普及 型 )
Taikyoku Mawashi-Uke Fukyu Kata ( 普及 型 )

The 12 Kata of Gōjū-Ryū

12 Kata of Gōjū-ryū type category
Gekisai-Dai-Ichi ( 撃 砕 第一 ) Kaishu-Kata ( 開 手 型 ) Fukyu Kata ( 普及 型 )
Gekisai-Dai-Ni ( 撃 砕 第二 ) Kaishu-Kata ( 開 手 型 ) Fukyu Kata ( 普及 型 )
Sanchin ( 三 戰 ) Haishu Kata ( 閉 手 型 ) Kihon Kata ( 基本 型 )
Tenshō ( 転 掌 ) Haishu Kata ( 閉 手 型 ) Kihon Kata ( 基本 型 )
Saifā ( 碎 破 ) Kaishu-Kata ( 開 手 型 ) Koryu-Kata ( 古 流 型 )
Seiyunchin ( 制 引 戰 ) Kaishu-Kata ( 開 手 型 ) Koryu-Kata ( 古 流 型 )
Sansēru ( 三 十六 手 ) Kaishu-Kata ( 開 手 型 ) Koryu-Kata ( 古 流 型 )
Shisochin ( 四向戰 ) Kaishu-Kata ( 開 手 型 ) Koryu-Kata ( 古 流 型 )
Seisan ( 十三 手 ) Kaishu-Kata ( 開 手 型 ) Koryu-Kata ( 古 流 型 )
Sēpai ( 十八 手 ) Kaishu-Kata ( 開 手 型 ) Koryu-Kata ( 古 流 型 )
Kururunfā ( 久留 頓 破 ) Kaishu-Kata ( 開 手 型 ) Koryu-Kata ( 古 流 型 )
Sūpārinpei ( 壱 百零八 手 ) Kaishu-Kata ( 開 手 型 ) Koryu-Kata ( 古 流 型 )

Haishu and Kaishu

"Haishu" and "Kaishu" are two important concepts of Gōjū-ryū. "Hai" means closed, "Kai" means open. The syllable "Shu" means hand. The literal translation is:

  • Haishu - closed hand
  • Kaishu - open hand

However, “hand” is only to be understood symbolically here.

In fact, these two terms describe the state of tension in the muscles and the function of the joints in performing the kata.

  • In the Haishu-Kata, an evenly high tension is maintained over the entire execution of the Kata, while the joints are moved rather "locked into place". Breathing is part of it and accompanies the whole movement. These kata are sometimes also called "isometric" or "isokinetic" kata.
  • In the kaishu kata the crucial tension is not in the movement as such, but only in the kime point.

In Gōjū-ryū, therefore, Sanchin and Tenshō are usually the Haishu-Kata. (There are also descriptions in which they are both described as Kihon-Kata, or Sanchin as Kihon and Tenshō as Haishu-Kata; the latter in Miyazato Eiichi: Okinawa Den Gōjū-Ryū Karate-dō .)

For Chōjun Miyagi , "Haishu" meant basic kata and therefore had a special meaning. Through them you learn the correct posture and the correct inhalation and exhalation. You learn to increase and decrease the power harmoniously. You develop a strong physique and the strong will of a warrior.

philosophy

The philosophy of Gōjū-Ryū follows the philosophy of Karate-Dō and thus also the 20 rules that Funakoshi Gichin set up for karate ("Funakoshi Gichin no Karate Do niju jo").

The kata not only form the technical floor plan, but also convey the philosophical values ​​of karate. “Karate ni sente nashi” can be found in the kata, which always begin with a defensive movement. This implies that karate is only intended as a response to an attack, never as an unsubstantiated act of its own.

Furthermore, the tradition of the kata was accompanied by an enrichment through Asian philosophies ( Daoism , Buddhism , Confucianism ), which ultimately formed a peacefully oriented (social) ethic , which apparently paradoxically should manifest itself in people through training in this fighting method. The effects of the training should ideally lead to a peaceful and sincere basic attitude as well as an undominable spirit.

Chōjun Miyagi describes some of the virtues of karate as follows:

  1. Not much space is needed to practice karate.
  2. One can practice karate alone or with others in a group.
  3. It doesn't take many hours to practice karate.
  4. One can choose the kata that is suitable for the physical physique and practice it regardless of age and gender.
  5. One can practice karate without spending a lot of money, with simple equipment or without it.
  6. Karate is a powerful means of promoting health. There are many karateka who are healthy and live long.
  7. As a result of training the body and mind, one develops character and acquires an indomitable mind.

target

"The main goal in the art of karate is neither victory nor defeat - the true karate fighter strives to perfect his character." This is the motto of the Japan Karate Association . It shows that karate is more than just a sport or the practice of techniques. Karate can be understood as a school of life and as a life aid. Through the training you cultivate good contact with other people and learn willpower , courage , discipline , self-criticism , tolerance , perseverance , humility and consideration.

Traditional Gōjū-Ryū Karate contributes to this and is to be understood as a long-term, lifelong exercise.

Chōjun Miyagi was in search of the "truth" of karate throughout his life. In an essay he commented: “I suppose the ultimate formula to truth is Dao (Tao), the way. I ca n't really understand this maxim , but sometimes I feel I can understand it. I think we have to master "a formula and not a formula", then we can study karate in depth and arrive at the truth of karate. "

Logos / symbols

Logo of the JKF Gōjūkai

The logos are mostly symbols of different dōjō . Meibukan and Jundōkan have different logos, although they come from the same lineage (from Miyagi).

In addition to the numerous logos on Okinawa, two logos of the Gōjū-Ryū have long been widespread in Germany: the dragon head fist of the Japanese Yamaguchi line, the dragon head fist of the JKF Gōjū-Kai and the dragon figure of Yuishinkan in the "Shiko-Dachi" . The figure of Yuishinkan corresponds to the family sign of an old aristocratic family from Ryūkyū (Okinawa).

Animal styles

Both logos stand for the dragon ("Tatsu"), since the Gōjū-ryū is a "dragon style". In contrast to the Shōtōkan ( tiger , "Torah"), for example , the animal cannot be found directly in the symbol, since the dragon is a sovereign animal of the Chinese. Even if the roots of karate originally lie in China , hardly a Japanese master would admit this, let alone allow a national emblem of the Chinese.

The dragons are not easy to spot in the two logos. As already mentioned, the fist is a dragon head fist, a technique used by the dragon, and the figure is even the dragon itself. The dragon can be recognized by its tail.

Why dragon and tiger?

In addition to snake ("Hebi"), leopard ("Yaze Neko"), crane ("Hakutsuru"), there are the so-called five animal styles of Shaolin Kung Fu (Shàolín Quánfǎ). All with their specific tactics and techniques. These animals also shape the styles. The dragon has most of the techniques and weapons. It not only uses circular movements and soft techniques (found in Baihepai ​​and Hakutsuru Kata), but also includes techniques from other animals such as the snake - that is, grabbing and holding. The tiger as a counterexample is a fast and strong animal. He's just going into the enemy, hitting through cover, etc., evading and attacking again from the side, as the dragon symbolizes, he doesn't know.

See also

Videos

  • Andreas Ginger: Goju-Ryu Kata. Video production Geupel ( DVD , no age limit , approx. 100 min)
  • Mario Holderbach: Goju-Ryu-Kata. Best Fitness Solutions (DVD, no age limit)
  • Christian Winkler, Wolfgang Jordan: Kumite Ura. (DVD, no age limit)

literature

German

  • Horst Espeloer, Ulrich Heckhuis, Horst Nehm: Goju-Ryu Karate-Do. Basics, competition training, self-defense, kata . 2nd Edition. Selbstverlag , Dortmund 2008, ISBN 3-00-001342-3 ( table of contents [accessed April 25, 2017]).
  • Friedrich Gsodam: Goju-Ryu Karatedo. History, path and goal . Selbstverlag, Vienna 1988, ISBN 3-900856-01-X ( description [accessed on April 25, 2017]).
  • Ralf Kruckemeyer (Ed.): Goju Ryu Karate-Do. Special styles series . 1st edition. Books on Demand , Norderstedt 2012, ISBN 978-3-8482-2643-6 .
  • Gerd Hahnemann: Goju-Ryu Karate-Do. Kata and Bunkai . 1st edition. Selbstverlag, Thalheim 2003 ( description ( memento of December 1, 2015 in the Internet Archive ) [accessed on April 25, 2017] without ISBN).
  • Peter Stochel, Roger Walbersdorf: Yuishinkan training forms in pictures. Kumite-Ura and Nage-Waza . 1st edition. Self-published, Langenfeld (without year and ISBN).
  • Roland Habersetzer : 39 karate kata. From Wadō-ryū , Gōjū-ryū and Shitō-ryū . 1st edition. Palisander Verlag, Chemnitz 2010, ISBN 978-3-938305-15-7 (Contains all 12 Kata of Gōjū-Ryū determined by the style founder).
  • Werner Lind : The dictionary of martial arts. China, Japan, Okinawa, Korea, Vietnam, Thailand, Burma, Indonesia, India, Mongolia, Philippines, Taiwan etc. a. Sportverlag, Berlin 2001, ISBN 3-328-00898-5 .

English

  • Morio Higaonna: The History of Karate. 剛柔 流 (Gōjū-Ryū) . 2nd Edition. Dragon Books, Westlake Village 2001, ISBN 0-946062-36-6 (English).
  • Patrick McCarthy (Ed.): Bubishi. The classic manual of combat . Tuttle Publishing, Tokyo 2008, ISBN 978-0-8048-3828-3 (English).
  • Chōjun Miyagi: Breathing in and breathing out in accordance with “Gō” and “Jū”. A miscellaneous essay on karate . In: Bunka Okinawa . Volume 3, No. 6 , 1942 (English, uk.geocities.com ( memento of March 31, 2005 in the Internet Archive ) [accessed April 25, 2017]).

Portuguese

  • OLIVEIRA, Humberto Nuno de; LOPES, Eduardo Cunha. Karate-Do por Chojun Miyagi . (Complete writings). Bubok Editions (PT), 2015. 80 p. Illustrated (b & w). ISBN 978-84-686-6419-4
  • OLIVEIRA, Humberto Nuno de. Chojun Miyagi ea História do Goju-ryu . CreateSpace Editions (US), 2017. 264 p. Illustrated (b & w). ISBN 978-1-5442-1591-4

Japanese

  • Sōshin Nagamine: Okinawa no Karatedō (1975, Shinjinbutsu Oraisha)
  • Eiichi Miyazato: Okinawa Den Gōjū-ryū Karate-dō (1979, Jitsugyo no Sekaisha)
  • Chojun Miyagi: Ryukyu Kenpo Karatedo Enkaku Gaiyo , ( Historical Outline of Karate-Do, Martial Arts of Ryukyu ), Osaka January 28, 1936 - essay. Appeared as an appendix in: Eiichi Miyazato: Okinawa Den Gōjū-ryū Karate-dō , 1979, Jitsugyo no Sekaisha & Sōshin Nagamine: Okinawa no Karatedō , 1975, Shinjinbutsu Oraisha

Web links

Individual evidence

  1. a b Chōjun Miyagi: Breathing in and breathing out in accordance with “Gō” and “Jū”. A miscellaneous essay on karate . ( Memento from March 31, 2005 in the Internet Archive ) In: Bunka Okinawa , Vol. 3 No. 6; August 15, 1942
  2. a b Chōjun Miyagi: Historical Outline of Karate-Do, Martial Arts of Ryukyu . ( Memento from March 23, 2008 in the Internet Archive ) In: Ryukyu Kenpo Karatedo Enkaku Gaiyo , Osaka January 28, 1936