IOGKF
- International
Okinawa Goju-Ryu Karate-Do Federation
A
Brief History
The
International Okinawan Goju-Ryu Karate-Do Federation (IOGKF)
was established in July 1979 at a meeting held in Poole, England,
at the first ever IOGKF International Gasshuku (training camp).
The IOGKF was established by Sensei
Morio Higaonna
with the support and backing of Mr. Ken Miyagi (fourth son of
Grandmaster
Chojun Miyagi,
founder of Goju-Ryu), senior Senseis in Okinawa (many of them
students of Chojun Miyagi), and senior students of Master Kanryo
Higaonna.
The original purpose of the IOGKF, as set forth then, was to preserve
and protect the true teachings and philosophy of Grandmaster Chojun
Miyagi, and to spread these teachings throughout the world. This
purpose still remains as the primary theme of the IOGKF today.
To this end, training seminars and training camps are conducted
around the world by Higaonna Sensei each year, as well as by many
of his senior students. Because of the great dedication and determination
of Higaonna Sensei and other senior members, the IOGKF now has
approximately 50.000 affiliated members in over 45 nations around
the world.
The
Administrative Director for the IOGKF is Morio Higaonna's wife,
Alanna Higaonna. In 1987 Higaonna Sensei and his
family relocated their primary residence from Japan to Carlsbad,
California in the United States. At that time the IOGKF Administrative
Headquarters (Honbu Office) was relocated to Carlsbad as
well. The Technical Headquarters (Technical Honbu) for
the IOGKF, however, remains in Okinawa, and Higaonna Sensei, when
he is not teaching gasshukus in other countries, now splits his
time between the U.S. and Okinawa.
Kenkon
Meaning
of the IOGKF
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