Dentoh Karate

Goju-ryu History

This photograph was taken in the late 1940s at the opening ceremony of Shuren Dojo in Itoman City. Shuren Dojo was founded by Jinsei Kamiya Sensei (front row, left), a direct student of Chojun Miyagi Sensei (second row, second from right)

Also visible in the back row is a young Sogen Sakiyama Roshi, who wrote the dojo signboard. At the time this photograph was taken, Sakiyama Roshi was working as a schoolteacher. He later moved to mainland Japan, where he became a Zen monk.

Over the years, many IOGKF members visited his temple, Kozenji, to practice Zen meditation under the guidance of Sakiyama Roshi.

In September, 1953, Shuichi sensei went to Tokyo to further his formal education. One month after he moved to Tokyo, he heard the news of his Sensei's death. The founder of Goju-Ryu, Sensei Chojun Miyagi died by heart failure on October 8th, 1953 at the age of 65. After the death of Sensei Chojun Miyagi, some of the Chojun Sensei's students got together and started training at Chojun Sensei's backyard in January 1954. Sensei Eiichi Miyazato was the head of the group. There were Sensei Koshin Iha and Sensei An'ichi Miyagi in the group. Little by little some new students joined to the group. Training was mostly self training. Students came anytime, and they train themselves, and senior students help junior students. There was also some type of group training where students make a circle and go through Junbi Undo and Kihon. Usually Sensei An'ichi Miyagi led this group training.

Sensei Shuichi Aragaki came back from Tokyo in 1954 and he trained with An'ichi Miyagi Sensei and others at Chojun Sensei's backyard.

In 1955, He moved to Tokyo again. Before his departure to Tokyo, Sensei Eiichi Miyazato organized a farewell party for Aragaki Sensei. Here is the rare (only) photo of four Goju-Ryu masters together. (2nd from left, Sensei Koshin Iha, 5th from left, Sensei Eiichi Miyazato, 6th from left, Sensei Shuichi Aragaki, all the way to right, Sensei An'ichi Miyagi)

ASIAN PACIFIC GASSHUKU REGISTRATION IS NOW OPEN!
Be one of the first 100 people to sign up and you will go into the draw to win your training fees for FREE! You can register now via: https://australiakarate.com/asian-pacific-gasshuku

ASIAN PACIFIC GASSHUKU REGISTRATIONS OPENS SATURDAY! Sensei Jorge Monteiro Jr is in Australia for this years AOGKF National Gasshuku. Yesterday he spent a day taking in the sites of Sydney. This could be you in November 2026 for the 2026 IOGKF Asian Pacific Gasshuku! Registration for the event opens on Saturday evening! https://australiakarate.com/asian-pacific-gasshuku #iamiogkf

ASIAN PACIFIC GASSHUKU REGISTRATION OPENS ON SATURDAY! Sensei Jorge Monteiro Jr continues his travels in Australia with a day trip to Canberra (about 50 minutes from Goulburn). On Saturday the Asian Pacific Gasshuku registration will open! https://australiakarate.com/asian-pacific-gasshuku #iamiogkf #goulburnevents #goulburnaustralia

!!!NEW DOJO ALERT!!!
Congratulations to Sensei James Boardman - IOGKF 4th Dan, Dentoh Karate, who will open a second Dojo in Maroochydore, Queensland! Cotton Tree Dojo will begin training on Thursday night! You can find out more here! https://australiakarate.com/cotton-tree

More than 200 karate students and their families have turned a holiday park into Australia's largest dojo. #WINNews | Channel 8 & 80 (HD) Weeknights from 5:30pm