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The
International Okinawan Goju-Ryu Karate-do
Federation (IOGKF) is one of the finest, traditional
karate organizations in the world today. Under the
leadership of our master, Sensei Morio Higaonna, 10th
dan, the IOGKF is committed to preserving the
intangible cultural treasure of Okinawan Goju-Ryu
Karate-do, which has been passed down to us in its
original form from one generation to the next. Since
its establishment in 1979, the IOGKF has attracted
culturally diverse martial arts practitioners from
around the world, who have joined the organization after
recognizing the authenticity and excellence of the IOGKF
and its direct karate lineage tracing back to
Bushi Chojun Miyagi, the founder of Okinawan Goju-Ryu
Karate-do. Our members actively support our
mission, objectives, and activities. The IOGKF sponsors
interactive website forums, weekend seminars, and
international martial arts events for its members to
stay informed with news updates, improve their ongoing
knowledge and skills, and develop life-long
friendships. The IOGKF now has members in over 50
affiliated countries worldwide and is the largest
Okinawan karate organization in the world. This
website represents the membership of IOGKF-USA.
We believe that
Okinawan Goju-Ryu Karate-do training benefits all
practitioners, regardless of their nationality, race, age,
or gender. We have members as young as three years old up
to those over 80 years of age. The IOGKF has a worldwide
network of leadership groups and karate schools in
different countries with highly-qualified chief instructors
and dojo instructors to meet the needs of students
and families. Training at their own pace, each IOGKF member
will improve their mind (mental health, education,
and language); body (self defense skills, physical
fitness, flexibility, and endurance); and spirit
(character, positive attitude, and contributions to
society). It is our goal to improve the “quality of life”
for all of our IOGKF members to help make a positive impact
on the world. The IOGKF welcomes all potential new members
to join our international karate family!
An'ichi Miyagi
Sensei passed away
An'ichi
Miyagi Sensei (The successor of Chojun Miyagi Sensei,
Supreme Master of IOGKF) passed away April 28th,
2009. Please send your condolence message to
admin@iogkf.com.
Condolence
Messages
An'ichi Miyagi Sensei Biography
I would
like to express my deepest condolence to the family of
An’ichi Miyagi Sensei.
An’ichi Miyagi Sensei was the chosen student of
Chojun Miyagi
Sensei. The essence of Goju-Ryu
survived because of him.
He lived a very simple life following the teaching of his
teacher. In 2007, Anichi
Sensei announced officially that
Morio Higaonna Sensei is a
successor of Goju-Ryu after
him.
Last year during the World Budosai
when I visited Anichi Sensei
at his home, Anichi Sensei
told me that he often woke up in the middle of the night
with visions of Miyagi Chojun
Sensei.
I believe he has now joined with
Chojun Sensei and is watching us from heaven.
I would like to express my deepest appreciation to An’ichi
Sensei for everything he has done for us all and
Goju-Ryu, and I promise my
firm commitment to carry his legacy to our next generation.
Please rest in peace.
Tetsuji Nakamura
IOGKF Vice Chief Instructor
IOGKF Administrative Director
IOGKF North America Chief Instructor
MCF
2009 Feedback
MCF 2009 You Tube video
Please
e-mal the feedback of your experience of MCF 2009 to
admin@iogkf.com
MCF
2009 Event Report by Sensei Tetsuji Nakamura
MCF 2009
was a tremendous success. We had over 200 participants
from Canada, USA, Mexico, Venezuela, England, Sweden,
Israel, Japan, Germany and Saudi Arabia.
A few
days before the event, I received very sad news from
Higaonna Sensei that An'ichi Miyagi Sensei had passed
away. It was a great loss for all Goju-Ryu
practitioners. I, and my family, had a close
relationship with An'ichi Sensei and his family. I
really appreciate that Higaonna Sensei came to Canada
for MCF at such a difficult time. The first class of
the event was dedicated to An'ichi Miyagi Sensei. We
performed 78 Gekisai Dai Ichi kata to show our
appreciation to An'ichi Miyagi Sensei who passed away at
the age of 78. During the first two days of training,
we spread the participants into groups by rank, and
guest instructors taught each class. Participants had
opportunities to learn from some of the finest sensei in
IOGKF, such as Sudo Sensei, Sensei Gene Villa, Sensei
Michael Han, Sensei Linda Marchant and Sensei Herbert
Allen.
The
talent contest on Friday night was great fun. Many
members came up on the stage to demonstrate their talent
in singing, dancing and more. It was great to see big
smiles and laughs; a different side of our members
outside of the dojo floor. This event created a closer
feeling between our members. IOGKF is one big family.
Higaonna
Sensei arrived late Friday night as he had to attend
An'ichi Sensei's funeral. Saturday morning, Higaonna
Sensei spent a lot of time with the whole group going
through details of junbi undo (warm up exercises) and
kihon (basic techniques). It was a great session, and
we all appreciated his commitment and spirit to share
his knowledge with all of us at such a difficult time.
On
Saturday night, we had the IOGKF 30th anniversary and
Higaonna Sensei's 70th birthday party. We also
celebrated An'ichi Miyagi Sensei's life and showed our
appreciation for what he did for all of us. We had a
presentation video on the big screen about the life and
history of Higaonna Sensei, An'ichi Miyagi Sensei and
IOGKF. Several senior instructors made speeches for
Higaonna Sensei. It was a wonderful night. I received
many comments from participants that they feel so lucky
and honoured to be a part of such a great organization.
On
Sunday after intense training with Higaonna Sensei, we
had a masters’ demonstration. It was great to see many
skilful performances of Goju-Ryu sensei, as well as
masters from other styles.
Higaonna
Sensei's 70th Birthday Gift
For Higaonna
Sensei's 70th birthday gift, IOGKF North American Dojo and
participants of MCF 2009 raised funds and gave him a
three-night trip to Lake Louise in the Canadian Rocky
Mountains, one of the most beautiful places on the planet.
Higaonna Sensei really enjoyed being in such magnificent
natural surroundings. He mentioned many times that it is
hard to describe how beautiful it was. He was very relaxed
and refreshed. Higaonna Sensei want to thank all dojo and
individuals that contributed to this special birthday gift.
Please check photo gallery at
www.iogkf.ca for pictures of the trip.
USA
Northeast Regional Gasshuku Report February 2008
"USA
North east Regional Gasshuku Feedbacks"
USA Black Belt Gasshuku
(Oct 10-13, 2008) - Feedback
2008 IOGKF USA BLACK BELT GASSHUKU was a great success. 45
Black Belt instructors gathered at The Family Karate Centre,
Spokane, WA and trained under Sensei Bakkies Laubscher (8th dan, IOGKF South Africa).
Please see the feedback from
participants.
USA Newsletter "MO ICHI DO"
February 2009
Upcoming Event
July 3-5
B.C. Gasshuku with Nakamura Sensei
Qualicum Beach, Vancouver Island, B.C. Canada
Oct 17 IOGKF North
America Friendship Tournament
(Tentative) Burlington, Ontario,
Canada
Nov 20 – 22 North America
Black Belt Gasshuku
(Tentative) Burlington, Ontario,
Canada
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