The development of Karate do  is seen in many events; after this unification .  In 1994 there was an "All Asian Competition" hosted at Hiroshima, Japan. This year there is going to be another competition hosted in Thailand. The Federation couldn t make Karate become an Olympic sport in time for the Sydney Olympic Games, however there  are still negotiations for Karate to become an Olympic sport for the 2008 games. Meanwhile, For the 2004 Olympic Games to be held in Osaka Japan,  Karate is proposed as the host game. If Karate is recognised as an Olympic sport it will certainly be given more recognition. However I personally,  as one of the Karate leaders have great concerns regarding Karate becoming an Olympic sport. Personally I see Karate as a sport and as Bu~do (martial arts). Many people from the  Western country ~ see martial arts  in more physical terms, but in Asian cultures Martial Arts is an approach to an ideal, a physical and spiritual figure. The body and the mind.  If Karate is only valued in competition (like the Olympics) , I am afraid that the most important part of Budo is going to be lost. Karate featuring Bu-do and sports at the same time is valued highly, however if it develops only for competitions the balance is going to be severely broken.  Tonight, I would like to ]ook back into the history of GoJu Ryu Karate-do and talk about the development of this style in depth regarding Bu-do.

Goju Ryu Karate do was named by Sensei Miyagi Chojun. {CHOUJYUN}. Sensei was born in 1888 in Okinawa (Southern Islands in Japan) and at the age of ~4 (1902) he started training under Higaonna Kanryu Sensei.From 1915and 1917 Sensei Miyagi travelled to the Fukukeh prefecture in China and studied the roots of the style he was learning and aimed for further development. In 1927 my father Gogen Yamaguchi first met SenseiMiyagi Choujyun and was instructed. My father was keen to know more about the essence of "Okinawa te" which he had been learning about since he was a young child. In 1929 my father made a Karate Studying Association at Kyoto Ritsumeikan Universityand in 1931 he invited Miyagi Sensei as an honoured Shihan. Because of the war, my father travelled to Manchuria, He later returned to Japan in 1948. In 1950 he successfully made the J.K.C.A. (Japan Karate-do GoJu Kai Association) and in 1965 he made I.K.G.A.International Karate do Goju Kai Association

In 1970, on the 21st of June, my father Gogen Yamaguchi made his first visit to Australia. Also during The same year on the 7th of October 1970,Paul Starling Shihancame to Japan as an Australian team member to represent Australia  for the first W.U.K.O.  World Karate do Championships . On the 25th April 1972 Paul Starling Shihan came to visit Japan again (on return from representing Australia again in the 2nd World Karate do Championship in Paris France). During that same year my father visited Australia once more and stayed at the home of Paul Starling Shihan's parents. During The following year in 1973 my father Gogen Yamaguchi  and I  wel-comed him into the  Nihon Karate do Senmon Gakko Japan Karate do College, as the first Instructor participating and he graduated  as a Renshi-Shihan. On the 2nd July 1974 I first visited Australia. In 1977 with Kippei Sakamoto Shihan, and in 1978 with my sister Wakako. I have continued to visit Australia {yearly or bi yearly} and many Australian students visit Japan, building a very good relation-ship between Japan and Australian Goju Kai.

On the 20th May 1989 my father Gogen Yamaguchi passed away and Paul Starling Shihan took place as the Australian GoJu Kai President and Chief Instructor (according to Gogen Yamaguchi's wishes). From 1991 he has represented the Oceania territory as Goju Kai Branch President for this continental area of the I.K.G.A.  I respect him greatly as staff of the I.K.G.A. and also as a good friend whom I can trust and of course as one of the greatestof Karate leaders. The origin of Karate is familiar through many books. It originated from Chinese Kung Fu and from 500 years ago was renamed  from the Martial Art syles 'TE'  to KARATE.-  There are basically two major influences from China. "Nansen Hokuba" the term represents the characters of the North and the South. The Northern people were nomads who rode horses, & The Southern people were fishermen working on boats. GoJu Ryu has a strong influence from the south. It developed as "Naha te" where as the art from the north was recognised as "Shuri te". The Shotokan Ryu and WadoRyu karate is influenced from "Shuri te"

Regarding "Naha te" , the origin of our GoJu style has developed from a stance of standing on a boat. "Sanchin dachi", it developed the fighting of close range and using the upper body, where as shu r i te" developed from a horse riding stance "Kibadachi" and has the ability to use tbe lower body (such as kicks). ~ fighting range is further than with the "Naha" style. The character of "Naha" is soft and silent, and is more defensive. In contrast "Shuri" is more hard, active and offensive. "Naha" endures and defends. "Shur i" moves forward and attacks. By applying Ritsuzen (Zen while in stance), breathing,  and the approach of developing the ideal body & spirit has lead to the style of Goju Ryu.

When Miyagi Sensei was jogging on the seaside, he was asked by many people "why do you run so much ?"  and Sensei answered with a laugh; 'In case some body attacks me, I can retreat as quickly as possible. Of course, Sensei wasn't running so he could run away quick. He always told his students,  "run so you are always fit and if a problem occurs react more quickly than anybody else and   therefore resolve the  conflict!" The depth of his teaching is seen in his words ;  "Hitoni tsurezu, Hito-utazu, Kotonaki wo moto to suruhari", "Do not get hurt by people and Do not hurt people, always stay calm as if nothing happened". This is called "The Philosophy of Safety".

Not to get hurt means to be strong so no one will hurt you. This is not only physically, but is also deciphered to mean that one should ensure that your daily attitudes are right so no one will back stab you while you are not present. Never to hurt people means at first do not use violence to hurt people and also to have a strong mind always and you can care for others at all times.Lastly, do not have negative attitudes such as ignoring everything. Solve your  problems as quickly as possible, as if no problem existed. (a problem becomes more problematic the longer it is left). It is a short passage but has depth in its meaning and we have a lot to learn from this. It is very difficult to achieve, however it is also great human future goal which we can work for.

Miyagi Sensei also says "Bujin wa Shizuka de are". "Samurai (warriors) be silent (calm)". The chinese figure "silent' is formed from the meanings "blue" and "conflict". In one way, silence is valued as a hidden explosive potential. Silence is a waiting posture of containing enormous energy and Silence in the eye of the typhoon.Is Karate-Do Bu-do or is it sport~? This question has been discussed from many perspectives. As I said before, I think Karate features the characteristics of sports and Budo. Sports originated from conflictive environments. To train and to become strong has been referred to Martial Arts. The sports rituals in Athens Greece Is an ancient Roman ritual, ~We see that to train for strength and for the development of physical ability has been done from a long time ago.  How about Budo in Japan? Kendo, Judo, Kyudou, {with the arrow}, Naginata Do etc. All had developed from feudal system as its background. The society formed by warriors (Bushi, Samurai) has always been in conflict and the art of fighting has developed from that age.

 Dignity to people comes from "respect and humility"Facing one's weaknesses and negative sides. Bushi stayed  loyal to their masters as their point of respect and  humility. "Respect" and "humility" are the elements which  helps personal development. The unity of people hoping for peace in the world and within their own country is one of the greatest aims of sports. "Bushido" in the conflictive age worked for peace. The five teachings of "Jin", "Gi", "Rei" Chi~ and ~Shin' in Confucianism are the basic determinants of Bushido.

Jin symbolises the most valued virtue in the human soul~. The translation literally means to care deeply for others and to have compassion for all humanity and living beings. In the "Bushi ages, "Jin" was recognised as the most important element of their leadership.

Gi represents justice. This is the way of the truth in living. There is a term Giri' which is related to justice. It is seen as duty or obligation which in broad terms points out love for others - the conduct of these two elements are praised as bravery and one does not fear death nor ever kill  to protect the truth.

Rei differs according to each individual,  but has a meaning of thankfulness to the figure of God. The meaning is that one must never merely bow ones head or body to God,  The essence relies on how much you can become modest in the heart. Many Rei , as  seen in Budo is the manner of humility for yourself.  Your own Individual attitudes of respect for humanity, the natural world, and all of creation and your unique place within it.

Chi is knowledge and ones own personal ability so it can be applied to support others. Use your knowledge to help humankind and nature.

The truthful meanings of the ancient teachings must not be changed . To respect the old sayings regarding caring and love for your family and others, respecting your teacher, loving friends, and the giving of your time and patience when needed.The competition of Karate today is conducted under certain limitating rules and regulations, however originally it was judged under true kime a life or death situation.  It was born from an era torn and ravaged by wars and conflicts and therefore Bushiwere eager to l ive and to protect their country and family and to become stronger.

Today as we approach the 21st Century, peace has been corrupted, and we take note of our duties in a much broader frame work. Karate do should never ever be a tool  to hurt people with ones fighting abiliity. It is nice to see it being recognised as an enjoyable sport. However at the same time we must look at the way the Ryu-Style and Do-Way have developed via their unique humanistic approach.It is therefore a fact that Karate do has now been viewed as a blending of Sports and Budo, for better or for worse. I think that perhaps the development of Karate do is an essential progression for the coming age, and in this manner  it will hopefully be of benefit to a much better and peaceful era than those of the past.

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