International Goju Ryu Karate Federation

The International Okinawan Goju-Ryu Karate-do Federation (IOGKF) is one of the finest, traditional karate organizations in the world today. Under the leadership of our master, Sensei Morio Higaonna, 10th dan, the IOGKF is committed to preserving the intangible cultural treasure of Okinawan Goju-Ryu Karate-do, which has been passed down to us in its original form from one generation to the next. Since its establishment in 1979, the IOGKF has attracted culturally diverse martial arts practitioners from around the world, who have joined the organization after recognizing the authenticity and excellence of the IOGKF and its direct karate lineage tracing back to Bushi Chojun Miyagi, the founder of Okinawan Goju-Ryu Karate-do. Our members actively support our mission, objectives, and activities. The IOGKF sponsors interactive website forums, weekend seminars, and international martial arts events for its members to stay informed with news updates, improve their ongoing knowledge and skills, and develop life-long friendships. The IOGKF now has members in over 50 affiliated countries worldwide and is the largest Okinawan karate organization in the world. This website represents the membership of IOGKF-Canada.

We believe that Okinawan Goju-Ryu Karate-do training benefits all practitioners, regardless of their nationality, race, age, or gender. We have members as young as three years old up to those over 80 years of age. The IOGKF has a worldwide network of leadership groups and karate schools in different countries with highly-qualified chief instructors and dojo instructors to meet the needs of students and families. Training at their own pace, each IOGKF member will improve their mind (mental health, education, and language); body (self defense skills, physical fitness, flexibility, and endurance); and spirit (character, positive attitude, and contributions to society). It is our goal to improve the “quality of life” for all of our IOGKF members to help make a positive impact on the world. The IOGKF welcomes all potential new members to join our international karate family!

At 11 p.m. on New Year's Eve, 13 members of IOGKF Canada gathered at Shudokan Family Karate Centre (IOGKF Canada Headquarters) and celebrated the new year with the annual New Year's Eve Training (Toshigoshi Geiko) by doing 108 Gekisai Dai Ichi. In Buddhist teaching, all human beings have 108 worldy desires (egos). Every year at New Year's Eve in Japan, temples across Japan hit the big bell 108 times to try to get rid of all your egos and start the new year with a fresh and clean mind.

IOGKF Canada wishes you and your family all the best for this year. Train Hard!!

There were over 70 IOGKF North American black belt members participated this special event. I would like to thank Sensei Gene Villa, Sensei Michael Han and Sensei Herbert Allen for sharing your knowledge with all the participants. We covered all basic techniques required for 10th kyu to shodan, its proper names and details by rank by rank. We did all the kata from Gekisai Dai Ichi to Suparinpei. As I promised, we spent a lot of time explaining the concept behind the movement and details. We spent a lot of times answering technical questions from participants. I believe this gasshuku was a good starting point to share same level of understanding about details of kata and basic for our instructors and black belt members.

I also want to announce the black belt grading result. 12 members took the grading test, and all of them passed. Among them, there were 3 members who failed at MCF grading. They showed a lot of improvement, demonstrated their commitment and indomitable spirit. I was so happy to announce the result at the sayonara dinner especially those three members. Congratulations!!

I would like to thank all the dojo heads who participated and bringing your students to the gasshuku.

This gasshuku was the first and the last black belt gasshuku that I taught as a North American Chief Instructor.

Tetsuji Nakamura
IOGKF North America Chief Instructor

8th IOGKF Friendship Tournament
Sunday October 18th
at Holiday Inn Hotel, Burlington, Ontario, Canada

The event gets bigger and better and the level of competition higher each year. The family kata is new and fun, families do karate together and spend quality time practising together - what a new approach.
The black belt fighting is tough but friendly, hard but controlled, at times painful but rewarding.
I witnessed many new, young up and coming karateka with good skill sets at a very young age , so I am looking forward to the new generation to bring us to the new level and make us proud as teachers and parents.
On a personal note , it was the first time I stepped in the same ring as a teammate with Jody after teaching her all these years and joined by my wife Bea in a family kata was a special treat for me indeed .
Many thanks to Sensei Adi and Sensei Nakamura and all the IOGKF members and family members for all their time and effort on putting this together, without you guys , none of these can happen .
Thank you again on a spectacular tournament.

MCF 2009 was a tremendous success. We had over 200 participants from Canada, USA, Mexico, Venezuela, England, Sweden, Israel, Japan, Germany and Saudi Arabia.

A few days before the event, I received very sad news from Higaonna Sensei that An'ichi Miyagi Sensei had passed away. It was a great loss for all Goju-Ryu practitioners. I, and my family, had a close relationship with An'ichi Sensei and his family. I really appreciate that Higaonna Sensei came to Canada for MCF at such a difficult time. The first class of the event was dedicated to An'ichi Miyagi Sensei. We performed 78 Gekisai Dai Ichi kata to show our appreciation to An'ichi Miyagi Sensei who passed away at the age of 78. During the first two days of training, we spread the participants into groups by rank, and guest instructors taught each class. Participants had opportunities to learn from some of the finest sensei in IOGKF, such as Sudo Sensei, Sensei Gene Villa, Sensei Michael Han, Sensei Linda Marchant and Sensei Herbert Allen.

The talent contest on Friday night was great fun. Many members came up on the stage to demonstrate their talent in singing, dancing and more. It was great to see big smiles and laughs; a different side of our members outside of the dojo floor. This event created a closer feeling between our members. IOGKF is one big family.

Higaonna Sensei arrived late Friday night as he had to attend An'ichi Sensei's funeral. Saturday morning, Higaonna Sensei spent a lot of time with the whole group going through details of junbi undo (warm up exercises) and kihon (basic techniques). It was a great session, and we all appreciated his commitment and spirit to share his knowledge with all of us at such a difficult time.

On Saturday night, we had the IOGKF 30th anniversary and Higaonna Sensei's 70th birthday party. We also celebrated An'ichi Miyagi Sensei's life and showed our appreciation for what he did for all of us. We had a presentation video on the big screen about the life and history of Higaonna Sensei, An'ichi Miyagi Sensei and IOGKF. Several senior instructors made speeches for Higaonna Sensei. It was a wonderful night. I received many comments from participants that they feel so lucky and honoured to be a part of such a great organization.

On Sunday after intense training with Higaonna Sensei, we had a masters’ demonstration. It was great to see many skilful performances of Goju-Ryu sensei, as well as masters from other styles.

For Higaonna Sensei's 70th birthday gift, IOGKF North American Dojo and participants of MCF 2009 raised funds and gave him a three-night trip to Lake Louise in the Canadian Rocky Mountains, one of the most beautiful places on the planet. Higaonna Sensei really enjoyed being in such magnificent natural surroundings. He mentioned many times that it is hard to describe how beautiful it was. He was very relaxed and refreshed. Higaonna Sensei wants to thank all dojo and individuals that contributed to this special birthday gift. Please check photo gallery for pictures of the trip.