Karate-Do Goju-Kai Singapore
INTERNATIONAL KARATE-DO GOJU-KAI (I.K.G.A) SINGAPORE BRANCH
ABOUT KGS
ABOUT KGS
Karate-Do Goju-Kai Singapore (KGS) is a locally registered sport group (UEN No: S90SS0033A) under the Registry of Societies (ROS), and is directly affiliated with the parent headquarters (Hombu dojo), the International Karate-Do Goju-Kai Association (IKGA) in Tokyo, Japan.
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KGS was founded in 1980 by Renshi-Shihan David Chew (5th Dan Black Belt). Shihan David Chew trained under Hanshi-Shihan Gogen Yamaguchi (10th Dan Black Belt), who was then the head of the International Karate-Do Goju-Kai Association and All Japan Karate-Do Goju-Kai Association (JKGA).
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The long history of KGS has seen the development of promising and outstanding players who represented the nation at various levels of championship. KGS' strength is in developing young players to become top-class sportsmen both in Karate-Do and in character. This can be seen in our championship achievements (both local and overseas), as well as the trust the members' parents have placed in the Association.
VISION
KGS aims to promote Goju-Ryu Karate-Do as a sport and a martial art for everyone.
WHAT IS GOJU KARATE?
Goju-Kai Karate-Do is a mixture of traditional martial arts in Okinawa and traditional martial arts, mainly Chinese Nanpa Kenjutsu in Fuchien province, China.
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During the Ryukyu age, peasants couldn't have any arms because of the government's power policy. These peasants, who developed the martia arts called Te, fought with bare feet and bare hands. This martial arts was the beginning of Karate, and later, it was called To-de.
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In the process of spreading over Okinawa, Naha-te, Shuri-te, and other Style's origins were established. Goju-Kai, which originated from Naha-te, was established by Chojun Miyagi Sensei who was a disciple of Kanryo Higaonna Sensei, the master of Naha-te. At the age of 16, Chojun Miyagi Sensei went to China and studied Karate under many renowned Karate masters. He also studied about theory and completed special breathing way called "Kisoku no Donto".
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Goju-Ryu is named afer a line from some old Chinese literature named "Bubishi". Chojun Miyagi improved the old training ways and established a rational program including warming-up exercises, Kihon-kata, and Kaishu-kata, assistant exercises and so on. He thought character building was important so he left many of his words.
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In the year 1937, Daninippon Butoku-kai awarded him the title, "Karate-do Kyoshi-go". Karate-do received a good reputation and this moment was a big step towards spreading Karate all over the Japan.
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According to Goju-Kai's spirit, all existence consists of Go, or hardness, which becomes positive and Ju, or softness which becomes negative. During a fight, Go becomes one's offence and Ju becomes one's defese for protecting our safety. Mixing Go and Ju leads to a tranquil mental state to prevent fighting.
Grand Master
Goshi Yamaguchi 8th Dan, Hanshi
Goshi Yamaguchi was born on September 28 1942, as the third son of Kaiso (the Founder) Master Gogen Yamaguchi. In 1951, at the age of eight, he began practicing karate-do at Senzoku Doju in Asakusa.
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He received the 1st dan in 1957 and the 2nd dan in 1959. In 1962 he became a 3rd dan holder and an instructor.
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He entered Nihon University in 1963, majoring in cinema studies in the Department of Arts. While he was a student, he had an opportunity to teach karate-do at an American branch dojo for a year. After he came back to Japan, he taught in various Goju-ryu dojo. He graduated from the university in 1969, when he became full time shihan in the head dojo with a view to promote and develop Goju-ryu Karate-do.
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He has visited and taught in more than 40 countries in the world thus far as an authorized instructor of Goju-kai, All Japan Karate-do Federation, Tokyo karate-do Federation, and as an international referee. In 1990, he was appointed to be the president of All Japan Karate-do Goju-kai Association, International Karate-do Goju-kai Association, and Saiko Shihan (Grand Master) for the two associations.