Goju Kai or Goju Ryu Karate is a superior authentic Japanese traditional Martial Art based on close in defensive and offensive maneuvers delivered in rapid succession. It utilizes logic and economy of strength efficiency tactics, which combine circular motion blocking techniques and quick & powerful counter attacks delivered in swift progressive movements.
Goju techniques are applied using very little natural strength, it should be based on good relaxed technique and timing. In this way, a person who is significantly lesser in strength can defuse a much larger and stronger opponent. This quality, along with many others, combines to make Goju Kai Karate a system of self-defence without equal. It is of high quality for Adults Women, Men and Children.
Australian Goju Kai Karate (AGKK) is a leading traditional Japanese Karate Club, whose unique cultural heritage and authentic techniques stem forth directly from the highly renowned Japanese Masters of Goju Kai Karate “Gogen Yamaguchi” (1909-1989) and Shuji Tasaki 9th Dan Hanshi ‘ Seiwakai. (1933- 2011) Seiichi Fujiwara Shihan is the successor and current President of Goju Ryu Karate do Seiwakai.
I hope that by choosing to train with the Australian Goju Kai Karate, you have made an excellent decision, based on quality teaching ability and a proven depth of knowledge and experience. I hope you enjoy training with myself, my assistant instructors, and your fellow students at Australian Goju Kai Karate.
By training with your Sensei you will be able to create bonds of trust and friendships.
Our club Australian Goju Kai Karate is a proud member of Shuseikan Australia under the Seiwakai International umbrella offers direct access to the very highest level of Goju instruction from Japan. We provide close contact for students to our masters in Japan and also entree to train with them in Australia.
Every year students of AGKK are invited to travel back to Japan with other instructors worldwide to benefit from the learning opportunities provided by the Japanese in Seiwakai International and the Japanese Karate Federation.
This ensures that all students of AGKK have access to the most up to date and modern practices that are developed in Japan and influenced by the most forward-thinking martial artists worldwide. It also provides an opportunity for students including families, to visit Japan and gain a better understanding of their culture, their history, and heritage in a friendly atmosphere.
We uphold the Goju Ryu/Kai Karate heritage by setting high standards and adhering to the authentic effective Japanese curriculum. I realized, that if a sensei becomes isolated from high-quality instruction; sadly as many instructors do become isolated, then this isolation has no benefit for the teacher and his students in their martial arts development.
One of the best compliments I can receive is that I have helped you in some way. Feel free to tell your family and friends of the important work that we are doing at Australian Goju Kai Karate. I welcome you to AGKK and I hope you discover the benefits of this traditional martial art.
Every journey no matter how long or hard begins with the first step.
You are most welcome to begin your journey in Australian Goju Kai Karate.
True Karate is about applying this creative self-discipline to the rest of their life.
Australian Goju Kai Karate is also a member of the Australian Karate Federation (AKF) who is affiliated with the World Karate Federation (WKF). Throughout the year, AGKK competes at local tournaments around Brisbane, Students can participate in the Australian National and International JKF Goju Kai championships in Japan.
Students can also take part at the State, Australian Open, and National championships that are endorsed by the AKF and WKF. AGKK has proudly produced many State, National and International competitors. Although AGKK is a traditional karate school, we do accommodate students wishing to participate in sports karate.
Karate must be a defensive art from beginning to the end. If practiced and taught correctly Karate can reveal its true worth. Goju Karate is not only about the Karate techniques but it teaches the participant a disciplined creative outlook on life and applying this creative self-discipline to the rest of their life.
In all its essence, and in the early spirit of Japanese Goju Ryu, Goju Kai is a true form of traditional Karate-do, indeed still guided by the founding philosophy of the ‘hard-soft techniques of the empty hand way.
By training with your Sensei, you will be able to create bonds of trust and friendships.
Characteristics of Goju Ryu, Goju Kai Karate:
- Techniques specialize in close in fighting.
- Techniques are not solely based on muscular strength, and combine ‘hard’ & ‘soft’ movements.
- Uses the opponent’s force to its advantage.
- Utilizes ‘Zen’ mental focus & ‘Ki’ energy development.
- Cultivation of respect and courtesy.
The following is the meaning of our club:
Go = hard Ju = soft Kai = organisation Kara = empty Te = hand
GO (means ‘hard’)
JU (means ‘soft’)
KAI (means ‘organisation’)
RYU (means ‘school’ or ‘Style’).
Therefore, GOJU KAI (Hard Soft organisation), GOJU RYU (Hard Soft School or Style)
Literal meaning is Kara (meaning ’empty’) and te (meaning ‘hand’).
Do (means ‘way’).
Therefore it means – empty hand way.
The founder of GOJU KAI , GOJU RYU and SEIWAKAI
GOJU KAI – Gogen Yamaguchi
GOJU RYU – Chojun Miyagi
SEIWAKAI- Shuji Tasaki
SHUSEIKAN- Shuji Tasaki
What does SEIWAKAI mean?
SEI – truth, honesty, sincerity
WA- peace, harmony
KAI- association/organization
What does SHUSEIKAN mean?
SHU-mastery of oneself
SEI- truth, honesty, sincerity
KAN- place or house
The club name Shuseikan is also linked to the names from Shuji (Tasaki) and Seiichi (Fujiwara).
History of Goju Ryu Karate / Goju Kai Karate
Goju Ryu/Kai Karate is a traditional Martial art, stemming over 140 years from Okinawa and Japan, is characterized by a combination of hard “Go” and soft “Ju” components.
Goju Kai is the art of both the External (Hard) and the Internal (Soft) development of the individual. It has a structured syllabus, which has been designed to develop the mind, body and technique of the student with the ultimate purpose of enriching and enhancing one’s life. As a discipline, Goju is based on the traditional values of the martial arts. Goju is a living and developing Art, its origins are ancient and yet it is one of the few Traditional Styles to continue to advance as new methods and technologies are developed. It is more than just techniques, more than developing physical strength; it is the development of that which is within you.
Honour, loyalty, discipline, and heritage are highly valued in traditional Japanese martial arts.
It has many aspects including exercise for the body, mind and spirit, while teaching self-defence and life skills. Authentic Goju Karate should adhere the time-honoured Japanese way; and promote self-knowledge, development of dedicated character, confidence, and respect for all people.
True Karate-do places weight upon spiritual rather than physical matters. True Karate-do is this; that in daily life, one’s mind and body be trained and developed ina spirit of humility; and that in critical time, one be devoted utterly to the cause of justice.
The following is the meaning of Goju Kai/ Ryu Karate:
Go = hard Ju = soft Kai = organisation Ryu= Way Kara = empty Te = hand
“No matter how you may excel in the art of Te, And in your scholastic endeavours, Nothing is more important than your behaviour And your humanity as observed in daily life.”
A growing trend of late is that some Karate Clubs study with an emphasis on ‘free fighting’ without basic body training or prior training in basic techniques. Such practice contradicts the essential aims of Karate and lead to both injuries and a lifetime of regrets.
Goju Kai or Goju Ryu Karate is a superior authentic Japanese traditional Martial Art based on close in defensive and offensive manoeuvres delivered in rapid succession. It utilizes logic and economy of strength efficiency tactics, which combine circular motion blocking techniques and quick & powerful counter attacks delivered in swift progressive movements.
Goju techniques are applied using very little natural strength, it should be based on good relaxed technique and timing. In this way, a person who is significantly lesser in strength, can defuse a much larger and stronger opponent. This quality, along with many others, combine to make Goju Kai Karate a system of self-defence without equal. It is of high quality for Adults, Women, Men and Children.
“A true martial artist is a person who lives a balanced positive life who continually refines everyday life skills. Goju if taught and practiced correctly with devotion, day in and day out, is a self defence without equal. It should lead to peace without incident in every aspect of the karate-ka life.”
Bernie Haughey Sensei
The closer you are to the source, the truer and Martial Art. Australian Goju Kai Karate is proud of its close ancestoral links to the early Goju masters.
AGKK has its foundation in the teachings of the Grand Masters of Goju Ryu. Karate is an art of self defence developed in turbulent and repressive Asian history. For Many years , until the late 19 th Century, Karate was taught in secret and it was handed down from generation to generation, master to disciple, as a way for the Okinawan people to defend themselves.
In today’s rapidly changing times and the gradual disintegration of culture, there is a strong need for an art form with a true philosophical base – one that emphasizes continual self-cultivation and refinement. Thi art should have at its core the development of the individual and be designed to promote a genuine concern and responsibility to other human beings, not try to encourage aggression and a ‘win only’ attitude.
“Martial arts should focus on the development of the individual in which the ultimate goal is to continuously strive to develop the positive qualities within each of us; this is the true essence of Australian Goju Kai Karate.” -Bernie Haughey Sensei.
Karate is an art which cultivates courage and develops physical and mental health through its practice. In addition, karate training enables the individual to defend himself against physical aggression without reliance upon weapons.
Today there are four main styles of karate-do in Japan: Goju-ryu, Shito-ryu, Shotokan, and Wado-ryu.
Goju-ryu developed out of Naha-te, its popularity primarily due to the success of Kanryo Higaonna (1853-1915). Higaonna opened a dojo in Naha using eight forms brought from China. His best student, Chojun Miyagi (1888-1953) later founded Goju-ryu, ‘hard soft way’ in 1930. In Goju-ryu much emphasis is placed on combining soft circular blocking techniques with quick strong counter attacks delivered in rapid succession.
The movements contained within Goju-Ryu kata are intended for self-defence and not for sport. Short, circular blocks, powerful holds and locks, efficient punching maneuvers, and kicking techniques targeted to the lower body characterize the art that great masters so carefully developed. These techniques are not flashy or acrobatic, which makes Goju-Ryu an excellent style for defending oneself.
Traditional Goju masters or teachers place a great emphasis on basics. Kata should be taught step by step and a student did not progress until thoroughly learning the previous steps.
Goju-Ryu is first and foremost a means of personal development that builds the confidence to enable someone to become an outstanding citizen. In developing the concepts of Goju-Ryu to a high degree, a good Sensei serves society by making life better for anyone who has the opportunity to train in the Goju system.
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You are welcome to inquire about beginning or enhancing your Karate journey either by contacting: Bernie Sensei on 0409 474 494 or using the inquiry form below.
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