American Goju

[twendkata71]

I thought that Azato's karate was more Nahate than Tomari te? Perhaps my memory is a little off.

 

[Brian S]

Funakoshi's two prominent teachers were Itosu Ahnko and Azato Ahnko.
Azato, like Matsumora, (not to be mistaken for Matsumura) were
Tomari-te practioners.

FYI, Kyan's karate was also influenced by Shuri-te karate but
his syllabus reflects more of the Tomari teachings. Kyan was
born of noble family and had access to all of the Royal guards.

What does this all have to do with American Goju?
Many Americans cross trained in both disciplines.
Urban trained with Oyama Sosai and his Kyokushin Karate
was made up of both Goju and Shorin. Therefore Urban,
being the father of American Goju, had influences from
Shotokan.

Had influences yes, but did he incorporate that into his goju schools from the beginning?

I guess we could say that each art we have exposure in influences us, but it's up to us what we take from it.

 

[Ray B]

From the Doshinkan web page:

http://doshinkan.com/historytopics/historyokinawa.htm

"Tomari-de
Tomari-de was taught mostly by Aragaki Sensei and Azato Sensei. It may be an over-simplification to say it, but Tomari-de was primarily a combination of the light and airy Shuri-te and the short and powerful Naha-te types of training. Tomari was a sea port district, so Tode practitioners there came into contact with many Chinese merchants, learned many types of Chinese Chuan-fa from them, and so contributed many kinds of kata to Okinawan Tode."

I also found out that Azato and Itosu both studied under Gusukuma,
a Tomari-te practioner.

I glombed this info from other websites so the accuracy may be suspect.
Do some investigation and decide for yourself.

Peace.

 

[tshadowchaser]

who is the head of American Goju today?
Of the original 2 systems that where split from American Goju can anyone tell me who heads them today?

 

[Brian S]

I am.......:mst:

There have been so many splits that it's hard to say.

Here are some 10th dans in American Goju
http://www.louangel.com/

John T. Hooker Sr. ?? http://americangoju.com/hooker_web.html

Grandmaster Sekweii Sha?? http://www.usagoju.com/Grand Master Sekwii Sha hall of farme.htm

Edward J. Verychkn ?? http://www.usagoju.com/

http://www.usagoju.com/EVcredentiales.htm Um....yeah.

Edward Doyle ? http://www.usagoju.com/Arizona.htm

Sheesh, I could find them all night on the web. !0th dans everywhere.

Who's to say they are the 'head of the system' ??

 

[chinto]

Funakoshi's two prominent teachers were Itosu Ahnko and Azato Ahnko.
Azato, like Matsumora, (not to be mistaken for Matsumura) were
Tomari-te practioners.

FYI, Kyan's karate was also influenced by Shuri-te karate but
his syllabus reflects more of the Tomari teachings. Kyan was
born of noble family and had access to all of the Royal guards.

What does this all have to do with American Goju?
Many Americans cross trained in both disciplines.
Urban trained with Oyama Sosai and his Kyokushin Karate
was made up of both Goju and Shorin. Therefore Urban,
being the father of American Goju, had influences from
Shotokan.

Yes I am aware of where Kyan sensei learned his karate, and I was awear of Itosu, but not of ahnko as far as funikoshi was concerned.
Kyan Sensei learned from matsumura and matsomora and Itosu a little too. but most of what he tought seems to have been derived from what Matsomora sensei tought him.

as to the involvment with american goju.. nothing as far as I know.. but a responce to what was stated earler in the thread.

 

[dancingalone]

I have a low dan rank in Okinawan Goju-ryu. In my opinion what separates the original Okinawan Goju from the Japanese version is the relatively higher stances and incredible focus on bunkai and hojo undo. The Japanese Goju I have been exposed to have too much sport elements for my taste, but I'm sure that was just the direction the school owner went for financial reasons.

Considering sanchin is the essence of goju practice, I do find it odd that my Japanese Goju friends practice the taikyoku kata from Shotokan. What you gain from extensive practice of zenkutsu-dachi definitely seems to be more fitting in a long range style than the Goju I study is purported to be.

I cannot speak to American Goju, since I have no knowledge of it.

 

[donald]

I just wanted to post a thank you to all of you who posted here. I enjoyed...

Thanks again,
1stJohn1:9