Eibu Kan Goju Ryu Karate-do

EST. 1968

Welcome

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, and is an integral JKF member dojo promoting this style of karate here in Southern California and in the Americas. Eibukan has unique roots, with its top instructors training under the lineage of Hanshi Yoshihiro Hisanaga, 8th Dan.

Hanshi Yoshihiro Hisanaga

8th Dan · Born 1938, Kagoshima, Japan

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.

Dai Sensei Kyoda Juhatsu

1887 – 1968

Most notable among Shihan Hisanaga's teachers was Dai Sensei Kyoda Juhatsu, one of Higaonna Kanryo's (founder of Okinawa Te) most senior students — senior even to Dai Sensei Miyagi Chojun, who is considered the founder of Goju Ryu Karate.

History of 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 on circular movements and the development of chi (vital energy), while the external, hard (go) principles rely on physical strength. The combination gives Goju Ryu its beauty, disciplined movement, grace, and flowing form. Anyone who believes Goju Ryu is merely a beautiful style with little of the art of defense need only watch two Goju Ryu practitioners square off in sparring (kumite) — Goju Ryu is a close-range, infighting system that concentrates on efficiency of movement.

The Okinawan brand of Karatedo was originally imported from China more than 400 years ago, but 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, and many approaches to self-defense came into existence. Naha Te, named after the city in which it was practiced, developed over time in combination with other Te to become Goju Ryu.

Kiyonori Ikumura Sensei

Shorei Kan

In 1968, 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.

Eibu Kan: Meaning of the Name

Ei (永)

Derived from the last name of Shihan Hisanaga, founder of Eibu Kan, and translated as "everlasting."

Bu (武)

Derived from the term Bushi or Bushido, signifying the warrior spirit and code.

Kan (館)

Literally "house of" or "organization of."

Eibu Kan — "House of Everlasting Bushido"

Visit our our other pages to learn more about our dojo's commitment to teaching traditional Goju Ryu Karate.

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