1157 Tomoe Gozen, famous Japanese female warrior of the Genpei War is born. (Died in 1247) 1540 Yasuke, the first and only African Samurai was born in 1540. He arrived in Japan in 1579 1796 "Bushi" Sokon Matsumura is born and later became the prime mover of "linear" power techniques. 1827 Anko Asato, Master of Shuri-Te, Kendo and Kyudo, is born. 1847 Nakano Takeko, one of the most famous Japanese female warriors, is born and passes away in 1868. 1931 Itosu Anko, a senior expert of 'Shuri-Te', is born. His most notable students were Choku Motobu, Kentsu Yabu, Chomo Hinashiro, Gichin Funakoshi, Kanken Yoyama, Chosin Chibana and Chojun Miyagi. 1851 Kanryo Higaonna, founder of Naha-Te, is born on March10th. Takeda Sokaku is born. He is considered by many as founder of a branch of jujutsu known as Daito Ryu Aiki Jujutsu 1860 Professor Jigoro Kano, Jiu-jutsu Master and founder of Kodokan Judo is born in Tokugawa, Japan 1866 At 22 Kanryo Higaonna travels to Foochoow, China, where he studies Chinese martial arts under Ryu Ryuko. 1868 Considered to be the end of the Samurai clans Gichin Funakoshi, founder of Shotokan Karate, is born on Okinawa 1870 Choki Motobu, student of Sokon Matsumura, is born in Shuri Ryukyu Kingdom 1889 Kenwa Mabuni, founder of Shito-Ryu, is born in Shuri, Okinawa 1882 Judo, the art of self-defense and world wide sport is found/formed by Jujutsu Master Jigoro Kano. 1883 O'Sensei Morihei Ueshiba is born, the founder of Aikido 1888 Chojun Miyagi, Sensei, founder of Goju Ryu, is born on April 25th. 1889 Mabuni Kenwa, Sensei, founder of Shito Ryu Karate is born. 1890 Kanryo Higaonna introduces Naha-Te and a breathing exercise called Sanchin. Konishi Yasuhiro, Sensei, founder of 'Shindo Jinen-Ryu, is born. He trained under Gichin Funakoshi, Choki Motobu, Kenwa Mubuni, Morihei Ueshiba, Chojun Miyagi and Chosen Chibana. 1896 Founder of Itokazu Goju Ryu, Yoshio Itokazu is born on October 2nd. 1898 Seiko Higa, Sensei, founder of Shodokan Goju Ryu is born and becomes Chojun Miyagi's early successor. 1900 Chojun Miyagi, Sensei, begins training with Aragaki Ryuko. 1902 Chojun Miyagi is introduced to Kanryo Higaonna by Aragaki Ryoko Sensei and accepted as a student. 1903 Gichen Funakoshi, Sensei, along with other active master of the day, begins the long process of reorganizing Karate on Okinawa and Japan. Sensei Funakoshi forms his own dojo that would later be called Shotokan. 1908 Sensei Choboku Takamine is born on March 24th. Sensei Tatsuo Shimabukuro founder of 'Isshin-Ryu Karate, is born. 1909 Gogen Yamaguchi, Hanshi, founder of Japanese Goju Ryu, is born on January 21st. Yamaguchi Sensei is the founder of the Japan Goju-Kai. It is though Yamaguchi Sensei that Goju-Ryu became world known. 1912 Sensei Meitoku Yagi, founder of Meibukan Goju Ryu and Chojun Miyagi's later successor, is born on March 6th. 1915 Sensei Kanryo Higaonnoa passes away. Higaonna was Chojun Miyagi's primary teacher. Miyagi Sensei travels to China in search of Ryu Ryu Ko (Higaonna's teacher) while training in several local styles. Miyazato Eiko Sensei is born, founder of Gokenkan Goju-Ryu. 1917 Kanryo Higaonna Sensei passed away due to illness at the age of 63. Chojun Miyagi, Sensei, returns leaves China, returns back to Okinawa and becomes the successor of Naha -Te. Seikichi Toguchi, the founder of Shoreikan Goju Ryu, is born on May 20th. 1922 Eiichi Miyazato, founder of Jundokan Goju Ryu, is born on July 5th. Funakoshi Sensei's second demonstration in Japan is a success and he founded his first dojo in Tokyo. 1923 Sensei Masutatsu "Mas" Oyama, founder of Kyokushin Karate, is born in Korea under the name Choi Young Li. Morihei Ueshiba, Sensei demonstrated, for the first time, his version of Aiki Jutsu 1924 O'Sensei Gichin Funakoshi adopts the Kyu/Dan ranking and the training uniform created by Jigoro Kano. Funakoshi also promotes his first group of Black Belts this year. 1927 Sensei Seikichi Higa is born on February 10th. 1928 Chojun Miyagi, Sensei, travels to Japan and teaches karate at universities. Shito-Ryu is found by a student of Kanryo Higaonna, Kenwa Mabuni. 1929 Gogen Yamaguchi, Sensei, was introduced to Chojun Miyagi by Jitsuei Yogi and invited Mr. Miyagi to visit his school in Japan. 1930 It is this year that Sensei Chojun Miyagi officially names his style "Goju Ryu", a name taken from the book "The Bubishi". Headquarters in Tokyo, Sensei Chojun Miyagi named Karate Division Chairman of the Okinawan Prefecture Athletic Association. 1931 Sensei Gogen Yamaguchi meets Sensei Chojun Miyagi and begins training under him. An'ichi Miyagi is born on Feb. 9th. 1933 Goju-Ryu is officially registered with the Dai Nippon Butokukai as a ryu and Karate is recognized as an official martial art. Hanshi Anthony Mirakian is born on November 12th. 1934 Chojun Miyagi, Sensei, lectures and teaches Karate in Hawaii. He also becomes a permanent officer of the Dai Nippon Butokukai (Great Japan Martial Virtues Association). Shihan Frank Ruiz, founder of Nisei Goju Ryu, is born on July2nd. Sensei Peter Urban, founder of USA Goju, is born on August14th. 1935 All Japan Goju-Kai Karate-Do Association founded by Hanshi Gogen Yamaguchi, who also originates jiyu-kumite (free sparring), the basis for sport karate as it is known today. "Maestro" Peter Urban founder of USA Goju is born on August 14th. Sensei Gosei Yamaguchi is born on January 15th in Kyoto. 1936 Sensei Chojun Miyagi receives a medal for "Excellence in the Martial Arts" from the Japanese Ministry of Education. Sensei Miyagi travels to Shanghai and studies Chinese martial arts at the Seibu Dai Iku Kai (Great Gymnastic Association, Pure Martial Arts Spirit). The Karate masters of Okinawa decide Karate will be the official name of Okinawa-Te, and the first independant Karate dojo is founded in Tokyo. It was named Shotokan by the students of Funakoshi, Sensei Sensei Don Nagle of 'Isshin-Ryu Karate', is born in Jersey City, NJ on April 5. 1937 Sensei Chojun Miyagi, along with other stylists, forms the Dai Nippon Butokukai Karate Jukkyoshi (Great Japan Martial Arts Karate Teachers Association). He also becomes the first person in Karate to receive the teaching grade of "Kyoshi" from the Dai Nippon Butokukai. 1938 Sensei Gichen Funakoshi's Karate is officially named Shotokan. Masanobu Shinjo, Hanshi, founder of the Shobukan style, is born. Morio Higaonna, Hanshi, founder of the IOGKF, is born on December 25th. Sensei Don Nagle of 'Isshin-Ryu Karate', is born in Jersey City, NJ on April 5th. 1939 Sensei Gogen Yamaguchi is sent to Manchuria as an intelligence officer, where he is captured and held by the Russians. Wado Ryu is founded by a student of Gichen Funakoshi, Hienori Otsuka. 1940 Sensei Chojun Miyagi and Sensei Shoshin Nagamine (Founder of Matsubayashi Shorin Ryu) created the katas Gekisai Dai Ichi and Gekisai Dai Ni. 1941 Professor Moses Powell, founder of Sanuces Ryu Jiu Jitsu, is born on January 13. Hakko-Ryu Jujutsu is founded by Okuyama Ryuho. He was a student of Soke Sokaku Takeda. 1942 Morihei Ueshiba, master of Jujitsu and Aiki creates a new style called Aikido. 1943 Sensei RON VAN CLIEF, founder of the Chinese Goju System, is born. 1944 Sensei Meitatsu Yagi is born in June. 1945 Chotoku Kyan, Shorin-Ryu Tomori-Te passes away in Okinawa, Japan. Shinzato Jinan, student of Chojun Miyagi, Sensei, dies in April during the battle of Okinawa.Shinzato. Along with Miyagi, Sensei, he was instrumental in the coining the name "Goju". It is during the mid "40s" that many American solders return to the Unite States bringing back with them knowledge of Japanese/Okinawan Martial Arts. 1946 Sensei Chojun Miyagi is made an official of the Okinawa Minsei Taiiku Kan (Okinawa Democratic Athletic Association). 1947 Gogen Yamaguchi is freed by the Russians and returns to Japan. 1950 Gogen Yamaguchi found the Karate-Do Goju-Kai in Tokyo. Prof. Seishiro "Henry" Okazaki forms 'Danzen-Ryu Jiujitsu' passes away at age 61. 1953 Chojun Miyagi dies on October 8th at the age of 65. Mas Oyama opened his first "Dojo". After training with Richard Kim and Mas Oyama, Peter Urban travels to Japan and begins training under Gogen Yamaguchi. Meitoku Yagi, Sensei, forms 'Meibukan Goju Ryu Karate'. 1954 Bruce Lee begins his studies of Wing Chun Gung-Fu under Sifu Yip Man. 1955 Shikan Akimine (student of Kanki Izumikawa) opens the first Goju Ryu dojo in Brazil. Seikichi Toguchi, Sensei, forms 'Shoreikan Karate'. 1956 Grand Master Tatsuo Shimabukuro founded the 'Isshin-Ryu Karate' style. 1957 Gichin Funakoshi, founder of Modern Karate, dies at the age of 88. Miyazato Eiichi established Jundokan Goju. 1958 Sensei Glenn Perry, Headmaster of Chinese Goju-Ryu & inheritor of Black Dragon Aikijitsu, is born on May 11th. 1959 Sensei Peter Urban introduces Japanese Goju Ryu to the United States. 1960 Anthony Mirakian brings Okinawan Meibukan Goju Ryuto the United States. 1961 Lou Angel (a student of Peter Urban) leaves Brooklin and opens first Goju Ryu dojo in mid-west, US at Tulsa, OK. 1963 Meitoku Yagi receives Chojun Miyagi's karate gi and belt, becoming his official successor. Gosen Yamaguchi begins teaching Goju Ryu in San Francisco. Lou Angel travels to Japan to study with Gogen Yamaguchi at Goju-Kai Headquarters in Japan. 1964 Gosei Yamaguchi joins his brother Goshi in San Francisco. Gogen Yamaguchi helps form the All Japan Karate-Do Federation. 1965 "The Karate Dojo" is written by Peter Urban and becomes the most popular book on the subject of Karate. 1966 Peter Urban, Sensei leaves the Japanese Goju-Kai and introduces USA Goju to the United States. Seiko Higa Sensei passes away this year. 1967 Glenn Perry begins training in Hakkoryu Jujutsu under Prof. Al Govine, Sensei at the 'Diamond Mine Dojo' in Brooklyn, NY 1968 Sensei Mike Mancuso brings 'Jundokan Goju-Ryu' to the United States. 1969 Seikichi Toguchi, Hanshi formed the 'Shorei-Kan' branch of Goju Ryu. Sensei Frank Ruiz and Sensei Harry Rosenstein (both students of Sensei Peter Urban) form 'Nisei Goju Karate. 1971 Sensei Ron Van Clief (student of Moses Powell, Frank Ruiz and Peter Urban) forms the CHINESE GOJU SYSTEM. 1974 Shihan Harry Rosenstein forms 'Kanzen Goju-Ryu'. 1979 Morio Higaonna leaves Miyazato Eiichi Sensei and forms the International Okinawan Goju Ryu Karate-Do Federation (IOGKF). 1986 Shihan Glenn Perry introduces Chinese Goju to Morelos, Mexico and opens the first dojo. 1987 Hanshi Lou Angel forms Tenshi-Goju Kai, in Joplin, Mo. 1989 Gogen Yamaguchi, Hanshi, passes away at the age of 80 on May 20th. 1991 Masafumi Suzuki, Hanshi, passes away on October 11th. 1993 Masanobu Shinjo, Hanshi passes away on October 15th. 1994 Shidoshi Ron Van Clief, age 51,competes in the Ultimate Fighting Championships. Sosai Mas Oyama, founder of Kyokushin Karate, passes away in Tokyo, Japan. 1995 After a long illness Shihan Frank Ruiz, founder of Nisei Goju Ryu, passes away on June 20. 1996 Ron Taganashi, Sensei, of Nisei Goju Ryu passes. 1998 Sensei Seikichi Toguchi, founder of Shoreikan Goju Ryu Karate Do, passes away on Aug. 31st at the age of 81. 1999 Shihan Thomas Carroll "La Puppet", founder of Ronin Shotokan Karate-Do, passes away on March 20th. Miyazato Eiichi Hanshi passes away. Shidoshi Ron Van Clief travels to Mexico to promote Glenn Perry as 'Senior Master' and bestows him the title of 'SOKE'. The Chinese Goju International Ass'n is officially formed this year in Mexico by Ron Van Clief and Glenn Perry. 2001 Sensei George Cofield, founder and Grandmaster of the Tong Dojo passes away on March 22nd. The GOSHIN RYU BUJUTSU ASSOCIATION is founded by Glenn Perry, Soke. 2002 Meitoku Yagi of the Meibu-Kan passed away on February7th. He was the last living disciple of Chojun Miyagi, sensei,founder of Goju Ryu. Soke Glenn Perry is inducted into the "World Head of Family Sokeship Council" by Shidoshi Ron Van Clief. 2004 Founder of USA Goju, Maestro Peter Urban passes away. He is considered by many as one of the most important figures in American martial arts history. 2005 Grandmaster Moses Powell, pioneer and founder of Sanuces Ryu Jiu Jitsu, passes away on January 22. R.I.P. 2009 Tanka Ramos, Sensei becomes an official member of the 'Jundokan Okinawan Karate Association'. 2010 Grandmaster Ron Van Clief brings Chinese Goju to the US Virgin Islands. 2012 Grandmaster Ron Van Clief relocates to the Island of Hawaii and begins full time study of Brazilian Jujutsu. Glenn Perry receives the title of "Shidoshi" from his teacher, Grandmaster Ron Van Clief, and becomes the designated Inheritor and Headmaster of 'BLACK DRAGON AIKI-JUJUTSU'. Professor Ronald Duncan, father of American Ninjutsu, passes away on November 19th. R.I.P. 2013 After several years of illness Grandmaster Reno Morales passes away on February 8th. R.I.P. 2017 With approval and encouregement from his teacher, Glenn Perry forms Chinese Goju System 5.O 2020 After a long illness Soke S. Papasan Canty, fo-founder of Kuroshido, passes away in Atlanta, GA. Grand Master Rico C. Guy, founder of US Budokai Kan, passes away in April. |