Goju Ryu is a very old and unique system of Okinawan Karate with a robust history rooted in Fujian White Crane Kung Fu as well as indigenous hand-to-hand combat styles of Okinawa, the Ryukyu Kingdom. As its name suggests, Goju Ryu (剛柔流) means “half hard, half soft style.” The influence of harmony, balance, yin & yang, can be traced back to the Taoist philosophies that Shaolin Monks practiced within Chan Buddhism, the predecessor to Zen Buddhism. Goju Ryu gets its name from the Kenpo Hakku - The Eight Laws of the Fist, which many know from the legendary Bubishi, the “Bible of Karate.”
A term you will often hear within traditional Goju Ryu is “Sticky Hand.” In the Okinawan Language, Uchinaguchi, the term used to describe this concept is “Muchimi.” To explore the etymology of this term, we can look back to the Chinese martial arts that influenced Goju Ryu. Sticky Hands, within a martial arts context, is written as 黐手, or “Chi Sau,” as it is pronounced in the dialects of Southern China. However, this term is most closely associated with a two-handed partner practice similar to Push Hands or Kakie, whereas Muchimi is usually attributed to more of an applied concept within Goju Ryu. The 黐 of 黐手 comes from a type of tree with a particularly sticky sap. In Japan, it is known as “Mochi no Ki.”
But keep in mind, “Mochi No Ki,” is the standard Japanese pronunciation. “Mochi, when pronounced within the Okinawan Language is “muchi.” While 黐手 can be read as “Muchimi” within Uchinaguchi, it takes a bit of work to get 手 to be read as anything other than Ti, Di, Te, or De. But considering the fact that Muchimi is more of an applied concept within Goju Ryu, where you maintain contact with an opponent after bridging with them, AKA “Sticking” to their body, 黐身 is a more likely original root word for the concept. 身 means “body,” and is commonly pronounced as “Mi,” (for example - 入り身 - “Irimi”). Thus, 黐身 can easily be read as “Muchimi,” within the Okinawan Language. The modern explanation given to help students understand this concept is the example of sticky mochi rice cakes. Undeniably, the concept of muchimi is integral to understanding application of techniques within Goju Ryu Karate Do.
Goju Ryu noticeably employs circular blocking techniques rather than the more linear blocking that is found in many other systems of Karate. This is because Goju Ryu is a close-range infighting combat system, which is very useful for practical self-defense. Long range fighting systems, common in Sports Karate, have no need to stay close and maintain control of their opponents, so their blocking methods tend to bat limbs away to clear a path for quick in-and-out striking. However, circular blocking is specifically used to connect early to your opponent’s strikes, maintain that contact as a means of control, and redirect their energy as you receive it. It teaches you to become proficient when fighting at close range and in tight spaces, like learning how to fight inside a phone booth. You’ll notice that a standard mid-level outside block in Goju Ryu extends outwards and then retracts to set into place, rather than simply batting the opponent’s arm out of the way. By connecting to your opponent, you’re able to supplement your own structure, disrupt your opponent’s, and use that connection to get out of your opponent’s line of attack, while repositioning and keeping your opponent in your line of attack. In many ways, this approach to blocking or “receiving techniques” as the word “Ukewaza” (受け技) is defined, is representative of the many “half soft” concepts within Goju Ryu.
The concepts of Hard and Soft application and theory have many valid meanings and interpretations. A few to consider would be that receiving or blocking is “soft” while striking is “hard.” It can be used to define the different uses of the same type of technique, like the firm, quick, and abrupt block of a basic Shotei Uke, or a Shotei Nagashi Uke, where you use the same hand shape but with a relaxed hand as you wrap around the opponent’s arm like a wet towel and guide it in, controlling it. Proper breathing is also very important within Goju Ryu, and as the Kenpo Hakku explains, “Inhaling represents softness, exhaling characterizes hardness.” This is actually from the specific line where Goju Ryu gets its name; 法剛柔呑吐 - “Hou wa Goju wo Donto Su.” It can also represent the fighting mentality, to know when and how to show restraint, or to engage in violence to protect yourself and others.
While all of these interpretations are valid, the main point is balance, both mentally and physically.
Before each class, after our warm ups, we practice our basics. The method is repetitive and methodical by design. By training our muscle memory to move with proper structure and form, we train our bodies to move instinctively in the most optimal ways; moving without thought. Many teachers and practitioners attribute the principles of this training to the ancient Chinese concept of “Wu Wei,” (無爲), meaning “Effortless Action.” Wu Wei is paramount in Taoist practice and by extension, the Chan Buddhism practiced at the Shaolin Temples. Remember, the monk’s training, inspired by Bodhidharma, was intended to train the body, mind and spirit; achieving balance and harmony in all things. Our kihon lives on in this spirit and it is critical to becoming proficient within Goju Ryu. Kihon instills diligence and persistence, training both the body and mind. As you can see, our tradition maintains strong roots to its past.
Your basic punches, kicks, and blocks might not always surface the same way visually, in applied combat as they do in our kihon, but that is because our basics build up our foundation, so that regardless of the shape of our strike or block, our foundation is strong and reliable.
The Dojo Kun is a set of guideline statements repeated at the end of each training session. These statements are intended to guide both our training and our everyday lives. Each statement is preceded by the Japanese number one, “Hitotsu.” This is to remind us that each statement is of equal importance. The Dojo Kun is always recited, with meaning, respect and thoughtful reflection.
礼儀を重んずる事 | Reigi o omonzuru koto
心身を練磨する事 | Shinshin o renma suru koto
日々鍛錬する事 | Hibi tanren suru koto
剛柔流空手の真髄を極める事 | Goju Ryu Karate no shinzui o kiwameru koto
潔白で有意義な生活を送る事 | Keppaku de yuigi na seikatsu o okuru koto
常に全力を尽くす事 | Tsune ni zenryoku o tsukusu koto
不撓不屈の精神を養う事 | Futo fukutsu no seishin o yashinau koto
Okinawa is the birthplace of Karate-do. Learn more about Okinawa via Virtual Okinawa, the Okinawa Prefecture website, or the Wikipedia Entry for Okinawa
Video: Demonstrations at the 1990 Okinawan Karate & Kobudo Festival
Classical Fighting Arts magazine, formerly known as Dragon Times
Crane Mountain— traditional wooden kobudo weapons
