Origin of the name "Goju"
In order to promote his art as well as cooperate with other schools of Japanese martial arts, Miyagi Chojun Sensei decided it was necessary to formalize a name for his martial art.
He chose "Goju-Ryu Karate" meaning Hard and Soft Karate. He was the first among different schools of karate to name his art .In 1933 the art of Goju-Ryu was formally registered at the Butoku-kai, Japanese Martial Arts Association.
The name "Go Ju" was taken from the third rule of the Chinese Kenpo as shown in the Bubishi book. This rule shows the deep essence of "Go" and "Ju" - two elements which take form and come to life layer by layer for those who train for many years and follow the "WAY".
THE KENPO HAKKU
THE EIGHT LAWS OF THE FIST
1. JINSHIN WA TENCHI NI ONAJI
The mind is one with heaven and earth
2. KETSUMYAKU WA NICHIGETSU NI NITARI
The circulatory rhythm of the body is similar to the cycle of the sun and the moon
3. HO WA GOYU WO TONDO SU
The way of inhaling and exhaling is both hardness and softness
4. MI WA TOKI NI SHITAGAI HEN NI OZU
Act in accordance with time and change
5. TE WA KU NI AI SUNAWACHI HAIRU
Techniques will occur in the absence of conscious thought
6. SHINTAI WA HAKARITE RIHO SU
The feet must advance and retreat, separate and meet
7. ME WA SHIHO WO MIRU WO YOSU
The eyes do not miss even the slightest change
8. MIMI WA YOKU HAPPO WO KIKU
The ears listen well in all directions
