GOJU RYU KARATE-DO
History
The art's history can be traced back to when King Satto of Japan sent his brother Taiki to China to visit that country's emperor, Chu Yuen Cheang. This action started a cultural exchange, when the martial art of Kempo was learned by the Japanese and modified. In 1470, King Satto sent a group of monks and artisans to the island of Okinawa to monitor its cultural exchange with China. In 1606 the Satsuma clan of Japan invaded Okinawa, banned all weapons, and the forced the islanders to act as if none of this intrusive business had just happened. If you were caught with a weapon, you were put to death. The need to practice the art of karate increased, and people developed fighting techniques using farming tools. (more on this in equipment section) This art was first known as te, and was eventually changed to t'ang, but it was familiarly known as Okinawa-te. It's basic principle was to turn the practitioner's body into an effective weapon. It was not until the 20th century (1900-1999) that t'ang/Okinawa-te was known as karate. The -do suffix was added by Yoshitaka Funakoshi in an effort to differentiate the new art of karate from the old art of Okinawa-te, which is extremely violent. Where Goju Ryu is light contact if any, full contact was an integral part of Okinawa-te.
Ranking
Guiding principles/tenets
1. We are proud to study the spirit of Goju
2. We shall practice courtesy
3. We shall be quick to seize opportunity
4. We shall always practice patience
5. We shall always keep the fighting spirit of karate
2. We shall practice courtesy
3. We shall be quick to seize opportunity
4. We shall always practice patience
5. We shall always keep the fighting spirit of karate
Equipment
- Gi (karate uniform)
- Belt (more on this in ranking section)
Weapons:
- Bo staff-originally a hoe or rake
- Sai-originally used like miniature pitchforks
- Tonfa-originally used to grind rice
Etiquette
Bowing
Step 1
Put your feet together and your open hands flat against your sides
Step 2
Lower your upper body about 40 degrees and then raise it back up.
Bow towards the inside of the dojo when exiting or entering it. Also bow to your partner when beginning sparring.
Step 1
Put your feet together and your open hands flat against your sides
Step 2
Lower your upper body about 40 degrees and then raise it back up.
Bow towards the inside of the dojo when exiting or entering it. Also bow to your partner when beginning sparring.
Techniques
One example is given of each type of technique.
Oi Zuki (Lunge Punch)
The front (left) hand is rested next to the ribs under the left shoulder in a fist, fingers up. It is then extended rapidly towards the target, and the moment before impact, it is turned so that the fingers are facing down. The target is struck using the knuckles of the index and middle fingers closest to the palm. At the same time, the left foot is brought forward and the left knee bent and the front foot facing forward, rotating the hips at a 45 degree angle. The back leg should be straight out behind the body with the foot facing out and forwards at a 45 degree angle. The chamber hand (the right hand) is pulled back to the ribs near the shoulder at the same time as the fist and feet move, with the elbow pointed backwards and the fingers facing up. This strike can then be repeated switching left for right and vice-versa.
Mawashi Uke (Roundhouse block)
The right arm is laid out horizontally with the forearm bent to the left at a 90 degree angle and the hand facing knuckles up. The left elbow is rested on the right hand with the forearm pointed up. The left hand should have the palm facing the body. Both hands should be open.
The left arm drops through the gap between the left arm and the body, and both arms move around in a circular motion around the body, until the right hand rests on the right hip, and the left hand rests just below the shoulder. The right hand is pointing down and the left is pointing up. Then, both hands are thrusted out slowly.
This block can then be repeated switching left for right and vice versa.
The left arm drops through the gap between the left arm and the body, and both arms move around in a circular motion around the body, until the right hand rests on the right hip, and the left hand rests just below the shoulder. The right hand is pointing down and the left is pointing up. Then, both hands are thrusted out slowly.
This block can then be repeated switching left for right and vice versa.
Ushiro Geri(Back Kick)
The right leg is brought up horizontally with the knee bent at a 90 degree angle. The body is rotated 90 degrees so that you can look over your shoulder. The right leg is then driven out rapidly towards the target, striking with the heel and blade of the foot. The leg should be completely straight with the foot horizontal when the target is struck.
This kick cannot be repeated many times in a row like the other techniques above.
This kick cannot be repeated many times in a row like the other techniques above.
Kata
Two examples are given here, as this is a large part of practice.
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