In 1392 36 families from China immigrate to Kume village in Naha, Okinawa. Chinese Boxing is practiced.

In 1477 the three kingdoms of Okinawa are unified, and the ruler King Sho Shin bans the use of weapons.

In 1609, the Satsuma clan of Japan invades Okinawa.

In 1888, Grand Master Sensei Chojun Miyagi is born. He is the founder of Gojyu-Ryu.

In 1912, Dai Sensei Meitoku Yagi is born.

In 1930, Chojun Miyagi names the style.

In 1952, Sensei Meitoku Yagi is given permission to open a Dojo. He is the only student of Sensei Chojun Miyagi to be allowed to, as Sensei Chojun Miyagi dies on October 8th, 1953.

In 1963, the family of Sensei Chojun Miyagi officially appoints Sensei Meitoku Yagi as successor of Okinawan Gojyu-Ryu. Dai Sensei is given his Masters Gi and Obi.

From 1976 to 1991, all of the Meibu-ken katas are created and introduced.

In 1996, Dai Sensei celebrates his 85th birthday.

1998 was the 110th anniversary of the birth of Gojyu-ryu founder Sensei Chojun Miyagi.

On Febuary 7th, 2003, Master Meitoku Yagi passes away.

Meibukan Gojyu-Ryu Karate History

Dai Sensei YAGI Meitoku - Meibukan Founder

YAGI Meitoku Sensei was born on March 6th, 1912. He was a direct decendant of the original 36 families of Okinawa. He began his Karate training with MIYAGI Chojun Sensei in 1926, at the age of 14. By the time of MIYAGI Sensei’s death in 1953, YAGI Meitoku Sensei was the only student of Goju Ryu Karate to learn all of the kata from MIYAGI Sensei.

In 1963, MIYAGI Sensei’s family presented YAGI Sensei with his teacher’s gi and belt, and gave him the Menkyo Kaiden, naming him the official successor to the Gojyu-ryu Karate system. Until his death on February 7th 2003, YAGI Sensei continued to teach and enrich Gojyu-ryu Karate Do, creating new kata and adding weapons training to the school.

Master YAGI Meitatsu

Until very recently Gojyu-ryu Karate Do was presided over by YAGI Meitatsu Sensei, 10th Dan, the oldest son of YAGI Meitoku Sensei. He began his Karate training in 1949 at the age of 5, and trained under his father for over 50 years.

YAGI Meitatsu Sensei travelled the world to teach Meibukan Karate Do practicioners, including visits to Canada, the United States, India, Israel, Italy, England, France, Czech Rep, Slovenia and South America. He is also a founding member of The Okinawan Traditional Karate Do Kobudo International Study Center, located in Yomitan, Okinawa. Here, martial arts students have a chance to practice Karate Do in the place of it’s birth.

YAGI Meitatsu Sensei’s two sons, YAGI Akihito Sensei (9th Dan Hanshi) & YAGI Akihiro Sensei (9th Dan Hanshi) are now Chairman and Vice Chairman of IMGKA.

Monument in Naha City to Meibukan founder Meitoku Yagi

Monument in Naha City to Gojyu-Ryu founder Chojun Miyagi Sensei & his Sensei Kanryo Higaonna