Kokorokai Goju Australia

Kokoro Kai Goju Australia is based on the origins of Karate – Do, which goes back to the ancient travels of Buddhist Monks throughout the Asian frontier. Unarmed and oppressed, it became necessary for them to develop a weaponless form of self-defence for their survival. Merchants travelling south from China to the Ryuku islands, or Okinawa, brought with them this art of the “Chinese hand” To-De (later to be called Karate empty-hand).

During this time, Japan invaded these islands and it’s warriors found themselves confronted by the fierce retaliation of skilled practitioners in the secret art of Karate – Do. In the late 19th century an enthusiastic youngster by the name of Chojun Miyagi, became well skilled in the art and was determined to know more. He was advised to travel China to study the many different methods of Karate and other martial arts.

The Development of Goju
His search led to the hard school of Shaolin Chuan, the soft school of Pakua Chuan, and from these two he developed his own style of Goju, meaning Hard and Soft. He advocated that both hard and soft complimented each other and he created the Sanchin and Tensho, a formal exercise which combined both these elements. Kokoro Kai Goju Australia was founded on this approach.

Also featured in this style is the breathing exercise known as “Ibuki”, which incorporates external breathing – Yo Ibuki, a strong vocal hiss which emphasises dynamic tensions, and internal breathing – In Ibuki, which is nasal and is performed with techniques. The use of this exercise creates deep abdominal development and rejuvenation of energy. the whole body is exercised both externally and internally. Kokoro Kai Goju Australia uses this technique as a fundamental part of training.

The Origin of Kokoro Kai Goju Australia
A student of Chojun Miyagi, the carpenter Murata, travelled to Japan and began to teach. One of his students was a young man who was agile, fast and had a reputation for being a deceptive fighter, giving no ground to an adversary. He was known as the “Cat”, because of his favourite fighting stance – Neko Ashi Kamae (Cat Stance). His name was Gogen Yamaguchi. He soon proved to be a man of credibility and initiative, and became highly respected in Karate circles in Japan.

Gogen Yamaguchi systemised the style into the program basically used all over the world today and organised the style into what is known as the Goju Kai (Kai – Organisation). This is the origin of Kokoro Kai Goju Australia.