Higaonna Kanryō (東恩納 寛量 Higaonna Kanryō, March 10, 1853 – October 1915) also known as Higashionna West,[1]
was a Ryukyuan martial artist who founded a fighting style known at the time as Naha-te. He is recognized as one of the first students of Fujian White Crane Kung Fu masters, namely Ryū Ryū Ko, in the Fuzhou region of China who returned with those skills to Okinawa. His student, Chōjun Miyagi, would later found Gōjū ryū Karate.[2] From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Chōjun Miyagi 宮城 長順 Miyagi Chojun.jpg Born April 25, 1888 Naha, Okinawa Died October 8, 1953 (aged 65)
Okinawa Style Goju-ryu Teacher(s) Kanryo Higashionna, Ryuko Aragaki Rank Sōke, Founder of Goju-ryu, Kyoshi - Dai Nippon Butokukai Notable students Gogen Yamaguchi, Seiko Higa, Seikichi Toguchi, Tatsuo Shimabuku,[1] Ei'ichi Miyazato, Meitoku Yagi, Seigo Tada Chōjun Miyagi (宮城 長順 Miyagi Chōjun, April 25, 1888—October 8, 1953) was an Okinawan martial artist who founded the Gōjū-ryū school of karate by blending Okinawan and Chinese influences. From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Shihan Yutaka Hayashi 8th Dan (Hanshi) Koubukan Goju-Ryu
Japan head of Koubukan Goju-Ryu - Ushirogusa, Asahi City, Chiba, Japan
Shihan received his initial training from his father, Akira Hayashi until 1982. Hanshi Hayashi then began training under Katsutoshi Ishihara, founder of Shoseikan Gojuryu. After years of hard work and dedication within the federation, Hayashi became one of Katsutoshi Ishihara’s top Shihans (Master Instructors) and was given the responsibility of overseeing the pedagogy of all globally affiliated dojos. In 2016, Hanshi Hayashi decided to branch off on his own in order to pursue his vision of Goju-Ryu Karatedo—Koubukan was born and its Hombu dojo was constructed. Koubukan was founded with a clear vision in mind: uniting the traditional way of Gojuryu with natural body movement.
The basis of Koubukan was deeply influenced by Hanshi Hayashi’s father, Akria Hayashi, who practiced under Sensei (Instructor) Yasuhiro Konishi—founder of Shindo Jinen-Ryu and pupil of Chojun Miyagi, Gichin Funakoshi, Kenwa Mabuni, Choki Motobu, and Morihei Ueshiba—establishing his own dojo in 1957 where young Yutaka Hayashi began his Karate training. Under the direction of Hanshi Hayashi, Koubukan Gojuryu Karatedo demonstrates the impressive lineage established from previous Gojuryu masters and grounds its core teachings on guidelines established by the Japan Karatedo Federation. Today, Koubukan Gojuryu has affiliated dojos in both Japan and Canada.
It is the duty of Belleville Karate and Jiu-Jitsu to uphold and pass on the rich history of Koubukan Goju-Ryu that has been entrusted to our instructors. It is also with great honour that the instructors are able to continue on the path established by Shihan Donovan. Each instructor has had the great privilege of being one of Shihan Donovan’s students and they have benefitted significantly from his wisdom. They carry a deep respect for Shihan Donovan aspiring to maintain his vision in every class at Belleville Karate and Jiu-Jitsu.
In order to maintain a high standard of instruction and form, Shihan Mitchell and other instructors participate in a rigorous bi-annual training regimen with Hanshi Hayashi travelling to Chiba, Japan and hosting here at home. Forged by hard work and clear instruction, the relationship between the Koubukan Federation and Belleville Karate and Jiu-Jitsu is indelibly tied. Through the Koubukan way of Gojuryu, our instructors are able to impart to students a path that emphasizes rigour, self-control, and an understanding of one’s self and mind.
Traditional martial arts training refers to training in a martial art that is rooted in the tenets set forth by the original master of the art. As such, traditional martial arts training implies that a student uphold the philosophical principles of the art and practice its techniques in a fashion similar to the founder's or in the style's natural progression.
At each belt level the student must learn a specific number of techniques and be tested on those techniques before he/she can move up to the next level. The time required for a student to advance from one belt level to the next will depend upon the number of times a student attends class in a month as well as the effort each student puts forth in training. For example, the average student attending three times per week could probably attain the rank of yellow belt in approximately three to six months. As the student advances in the ranks however the time in each rank will increase as the technical skills required become more demanding and challenging. Each student will receive a training syllabus to ensure that they know the requirements at each belt level.