Eibu Kan Goju Ryu Karate-do
Eibu Kan Goju Ryu Karate-do is one of the longest tenured Goju Ryu karate schools in the United States. Eibukan is recognized by the Japan Karatedo Federation (JKF) Goju Kai. Eibukan is an integral JKF member dojo to promote this style of karate here in Southern California and in the Americas. Eibukan has unique roots with their top instructors training under the lineage of Hanshi Yoshihiro Hisanaga, 8th Dan.
Hanshi Yoshihiro Hisanaga 1938-
Eibukan's roots run deep within karate. The organization was formed in the United States in the late 1960s by senseis Masato Sakaue and Takafumi Hamabata. Eibu Kan is under the guidance of 8th Dan Hanshi, Shihan Hisanaga Yoshihiro who has studied under many famous and knowledgeable Senseis, most notable was Dai Sensei Kyoda Juhatsu, who was one of Higaonna Kanryo's (founder of Okinawa Te) most senior student, and even senior to Dai Sensei Miyagi Chojun who is considered to be the founder of Goju Ryu Karate.
Kyoda Juhatsu 1887-1968
Visit "Senseis and Galleries" and "News and Contact Us" to learn more about our dojo's commitment to teaching traditional Goju Ryu Karate.
History - Goju Ryu
Goju Ryu Karatedo is said to display the oldest martial arts traditions and movements. The system is based on the concept of hard (go) and soft (ju), always in consistent harmony one equalizing the other. The art combines traditional Okinawan techniques with both internal and external Chinese principles. The soft (ju), internal Chinese style concentrates upon circular movements and the development of chi (vital energy), while external, hard (go) principle rely upon physical strength. The combination gives Goju Ryu its beauty, disciplined movements, grace, and flowing form. Anyone who believes that Goju Ryu is merely a beautiful style with little of the art of defense, he need only watch two Goju Ryu practitioners square off in sparring (kumite) where Goju-ryu is a close-range, infighting system that concentrates on efficiency of movements.
Goju-Ryu has received the most Chinese influence of all of the Japanese styles of Karatedo, followed closely by Shorin Ryu and Shito Ryu. Through Goju-Ryu training, the simple act of blocking or striking will eventually occur naturally.
The Okinawa brand of Karatedo was originally imported from China more than 400 years ago, but had developed into a hard style during its years on the island due to the influence of the Okinawan native arts. When these arts came to Okinawa, they underwent changes and were combined with Okinawa Te. Many approaches to self-defense came into existence. Naha Te named after the city in which it was practiced (Naha) over time developed in combination with other Te to become Goju Ryu.
During the 1960s, Masato Sakaue and Takafumi Hamabata began their Goju Ryu karate training under Kiyonori Ikumura Sensei, Shorei Kan at the East San Gabriel Valley Japanese Community Center (ESGVJCC) in West Covina. Ikumura Sensei(who was Hisanaga Sensei's Kohai) continued to teach at the ESGVJCC until he was recalled to Kagoshima, Japan. His most senior students Sakaue and Hamabata Senseis carried on the dojo operations.
Kiyonori Ikumura
EIBU KAN: Meaning of the Name
(Ei) symbol: Derived from Shihan Hisanaga's, founder of Eibu Kan, last name and is translated as "everlasting".
(Bu) symbol: Derived from the term "Bushi" or "Bushido"; signifying the Warrior spirit and code.
(Kan): Literal meaning is "House of" or "Organization of"
Eibu Kan Goju Ryu Karate Video
