President
of Goju Kai~ IKGA International Karate do Goju Kai and
All Japan Karate do Goju Kai is Goshi Yamaguchi 8th Dan.
Goshi (Hirofumi) Yamaguchi was born in Shinjing, Manchuria
on September 28, 1942 as the third son of Kaiso (the Founder)
Gogen Yamaguchi. In 1951, at the age of eight, he began
practicing Karate-Do at Senzoku Dojo in Asakusa. He was
promoted to Shodan (first level black belt) in 1957 and
to Nidan (second level black belt) in 1959. In 1962 he
became a Sandan (third level black belt) and an instructor.
He entered Nihon University in 1963, majoring in cinema
studies in the Department of Arts. While he was a student,
he had an opportunity to teach karate-do at an American
branch dojo for a year with his brother Gosen.This Dojo
was taken over by another of his older brothers, Norimi
Gosei, in 1967.
After
he came back to Japan, he taught in various Goju-ryu dojo.
He graduated from University in 1969, when he became a
full time Shihan (Master) in the head dojo with a view
to promote and develop Goju-ryu Karate-do. He has visited
and taught in more than 60 countries in the world thus
far as an authorized instructor of Goju kai and the IKGA,
as well as the All Japan Karate-do Federation, the Tokyo
Karate Federation, and as an international referee. In
1990 he was appointed to president of All Japan Karate-Do
Gojukai Association, International Karate-Do Gojukai Association,
and designated as Saiko Shihan (Grand Master) for the
two associations.
Photo
by Alexandra Starling.
Copyright 1985
Hirofumi Goshi
Yamaguchi is one of the most dynamic of all Karate masters
in the world today. Now age 61 years (2003) Goshi Shihan's
fine technique and outstanding teaching ability marks
him as a Master of unique abilities both mental and physical.
In a modern karate world marred by self promotion, egotism,
and monetary profits at all cost, Goshi Yamaguchi stands
apart from those who seek to use the teaching of Budo
for self glorification. His punishing schedule of annual
visits to his Branch Dojo of IKGA members throughout the
world is a tribute to his tenacity in contining the work
that his father started in the 1930's. That is to promote
the spread of Goju Ryu to all nations, and to promote
peace and goodwill wherever possible.
Saiko Shihan
Goshi Yamaguchi never ceases to amaze those who attend
his International seminars, by not only performing everything
that he asks of others, but leaving people half his age
in his wake, very few can keep up with him! At a recent
Australian National seminar in Sydney New South Wales
during early October 2003, he demonstrated Kumite movements
that caused virtually all the attendees to cease their
activity and stand mesmorised, watching him, as he was
virtually the only person who could perform the intricate
footwork mistake free.
A high point
of this visit was Goshi Shihan's performance of the master
kata Genkaku to music which he demonstrated following
the finals of the Australian National Universities Karate
Championship on Saturday 4th October 2003 hosted by Macquarie
University in Sydney. This kata was approved by Grandmaster
Gogen Yamaguchi Hanshi (prior to his passing away in 1989),
and is only taught to Shihan or Master Class instructors.
The name comes from the GEN of Gogen and KAKU from the
Crane, and this Kata is not to be performed in competition,
only for demonstrations. The performance drew a standing
ovation from all the competitors and officials present,
and was a fitting conclusion to a wonderful tournament
to which Saiko Shihan was the guest of honour.
