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Martial Arts Of The World - Webs

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the Japanese people through the martial arts. True to this vision, Yamaguchi<br />

opened a dôjô in 1948 and went on to establish the All Japan Karatedô<br />

Gôjû-kai in 1950, which was to become one of the largest and most<br />

powerful karate organizations in Japan. As his spiritual quest continued,<br />

Yamaguchi created the Gôjû-Shintô style, which combined Gôjû karate<br />

with Shintô and yoga. Yamaguchi’s three sons, Gôsei, Gôshi, and Gôsen, as<br />

well as his daughter Gôkyoku, continued the teaching responsibilities of<br />

the Gôjû-kai after their father’s death.<br />

<strong>The</strong> Gôjû-kai uses the twelve basic kata of Gôjû (Gekesai daiichi,<br />

Gekesai dain, Sanchin, Tenshô, Saifa, Seiyunchin or Seienchin, Seisan, Sanseiru,<br />

Shi Sho Chin, Seipa, Kururunfa, and Suparunpei) along with the basic<br />

Taikyoku (grand ultimate) forms (Taikyoku jôdan [upper], Taikyoku<br />

chûdan [middle], and Taikyoku gedan [lower]) created by Funakoshi<br />

Gichin. Yamaguchi Gôgen modified Funakoshi’s basic Taikyoku kata and<br />

created Taikyoku mawashi-uke and Taikyoku kake-uke.<br />

It is evident from an examination of the major Japanese karate styles<br />

that their present state is due to an evolution, rather than a simple transmission,<br />

of martial ideas and methodologies. <strong>The</strong> history of karate in Japan<br />

is one of dynamic eclecticism. <strong>The</strong> “traditional” method is one of adaptation,<br />

innovation, and progression.<br />

Ron Mottern<br />

See also Form/Xing/Kata/Pattern Practice; Japanese <strong>Martial</strong> <strong>Arts</strong>, Chinese<br />

Influences on; Karate, Okinawan; Kenpô<br />

References<br />

Bishop, Mark. 1999. Okinawan Karate: Teachers, Styles and Secret<br />

Techniques. Boston: Tuttle.<br />

———. 1996. Zen Kobudô: Mysteries of Okinawan Weaponry and Te.<br />

Rutland, VT: Tuttle.<br />

Castinado, M. 1995. “Gosei Yamaguchi: <strong>The</strong> Consistent Innovator.” Budô<br />

Dôjô, December, 34–38.<br />

Demura, Fumio. 1971. Shitô Ryû Karate. Los Angeles: Ohara.<br />

Egami, Shigeru. 1980. <strong>The</strong> Heart of Karate-dô. New York: Kodansha.<br />

Funakoshi, Gichin. 1981. Karate-dô kyôhan. New York: Kodansha.<br />

———. 1982. Karate-dô: My Way of Life. New York: Kodansha.<br />

Hebster, R. 1983. “Wadô-ryû’s Otsuka: Leader of the Way of Peace.” Black<br />

Belt 21 (June): 40–43.<br />

Higashionna, M. 1996. <strong>The</strong> History of Karate: Okinawan Gôjû Ryû.<br />

United States: Dragon Books.<br />

Inter-National Karate Association. http://www.wadoryukarate.com/.<br />

Kim, Richard. 1982. <strong>The</strong> Weaponless Warriors: An Informal History of<br />

Okinawan Karate. Burbank, CA: Ohara.<br />

McCarthy, Patrick. 1996. Bubishi: <strong>The</strong> Bible of Karate. Rutland, VT:<br />

Tuttle.<br />

———. 1987. Classical Kata of Okinawan Karate. Santa Clarita, CA: Ohara.<br />

Noble, Graham. 1998. “Gichin Funakoshi and the Development of Japanese<br />

Karate.” Dragon Times 11: 7–9.<br />

Karate, Japanese 239

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