Tuesday, April 26, 2011 by C. Michial Jones
In the landscape of post-war Okinawan Karate, few names carry as much weight as Ei’ichi Miyazato (1922–1999). In 1957, Miyato Sensei opened the Jundokan, a landmark event in martial arts history, as it was the first freestanding building in Okinawa designed exclusively for the instruction of Goju-Ryu.
The Legacy of the Name
The name Jundokan translates as “The house in which to follow in the father’s footsteps.” This name was not chosen lightly; it was a public declaration of Miyazato Sensei’s profound devotion to his teacher, the founder of Goju-Ryu, Chojun Miyagi.
Originally established as a modest wooden structure, the dojo’s reputation grew rapidly. By the 1970s, the increasing number of dedicated students required a more robust facility. The current dojo was constructed on the same historic site where it stands today, serving as a “Mecca” for practitioners traveling from every corner of the globe to study traditional Okinawan Goju-Ryu.
Preservation Over Sport
The Jundokan has remained steadfast in its commitment to the classical curriculum. While “sports karate” and point-sparring gained global popularity, the Jundokan’s focus remained internal and functional:
- Kata: The fundamental blueprints of the system.
- Hojo Undo: Supplementary power training using traditional Okinawan implements.
- Bunkai: The practical, often brutal, applications of kata movements.
The primary goal of the Jundokan has always been the preservation of the art exactly as it was passed down by Chojun Miyagi Sensei.
Organizational Evolution
From its founding in 1969 until the years following Miyazato Sensei’s passing, the Jundokan served as the headquarters for the Okinawan Gojuryu Karate-do Kyokai (OGKK).
Following Miyazato’s death, Koshin Iha Sensei was appointed successor, serving as the Chief Instructor of the Jundokan and the second president of the OGKK. However, 2004 marked a major turning point in the dojo’s history. Upon Iha Sensei’s retirement, the OGKK headquarters was moved to the Hichiya Dojo. This transition led the Jundokan to separate from the Kyokai.
Today, Miyazato Sensei’s son, Yasuhiro Miyazato, serves as the Kancho (head) of the Jundokan and has founded the Okinawa Gojuryu Karate-do So Honbu Jundokan association to carry his father’s legacy into the future.
The Diaspora of the Jundokan
The influence of the Jundokan is best measured by the reach of its students. Under Miyazato Sensei’s guidance, several practitioners rose to international prominence, eventually founding their own organizations.
Sanctioned Associations
Many of these groups were formed with the explicit permission and blessing of Miyazato Sensei, who often served as their Honorary Chairman:
| Association | Founder |
| International Traditional Gojuryu Karate Federation | Kuniyuki Kai Sensei |
| U.S./Tanzanian/West African Okinawan Gojuryu Karate-do Kyokai | Natambu Bomani Sensei |
| Pan American Gojuryu Karate Federation | Ramon Veras Sensei |
| New Zealand Okinawan Gojuryu / International Gojuryu Karate Assoc. | Dennis May Sensei |
| United Kingdom Okinawan Gojuryu Karate-do Kyokai | Bob Honniball Sensei |
| Okinawan Gojuryu Karate-do Okinawakan Kyokai | Kenichi Nakamoto Sensei |
| Okinawa Gojuryu Karate-do Kyokai Europe | Ryoichi Onaga Sensei |
| Traditional Okinawan Karate of Great Britain Jundokan | Ken Erridge Sensei |
This draft is a significant addition to the manuscript. It provides the historical and organizational context for one of the most influential “hubs” of Goju-Ryu in history.
For the book, this belongs in Book II: The Historical Stream (Lineage & Origins). I have polished the text to reflect the prestige of the Jundokan while organizing the extensive list of associations into a readable format.
The House of the Father: Ei’ichi Miyazato and the Jundokan
In the landscape of post-war Okinawan Karate, few names carry as much weight as Ei’ichi Miyazato (1922–1999). In 1957, Miyato Sensei opened the Jundokan, a landmark event in martial arts history, as it was the first freestanding building in Okinawa designed exclusively for the instruction of Goju-Ryu.
The Legacy of the Name
The name Jundokan translates as “The house in which to follow in the father’s footsteps.” This name was not chosen lightly; it was a public declaration of Miyazato Sensei’s profound devotion to his teacher, the founder of Goju-Ryu, Chojun Miyagi.
Originally established as a modest wooden structure, the dojo’s reputation grew rapidly. By the 1970s, the increasing number of dedicated students required a more robust facility. The current dojo was constructed on the same historic site where it stands today, serving as a “Mecca” for practitioners traveling from every corner of the globe to study traditional Okinawan Goju-Ryu.
Preservation Over Sport
The Jundokan has remained steadfast in its commitment to the classical curriculum. While “sports karate” and point-sparring gained global popularity, the Jundokan’s focus remained internal and functional:
- Kata: The fundamental blueprints of the system.
- Hojo Undo: Supplementary power training using traditional Okinawan implements.
- Bunkai: The practical, often brutal, applications of kata movements.
The primary goal of the Jundokan has always been the preservation of the art exactly as it was passed down by Chojun Miyagi Sensei.
Organizational Evolution
From its founding in 1969 until the years following Miyazato Sensei’s passing, the Jundokan served as the headquarters for the Okinawan Gojuryu Karate-do Kyokai (OGKK).
Following Miyazato’s death, Koshin Iha Sensei was appointed successor, serving as the Chief Instructor of the Jundokan and the second president of the OGKK. However, 2004 marked a major turning point in the dojo’s history. Upon Iha Sensei’s retirement, the OGKK headquarters was moved to the Hichiya Dojo. This transition led the Jundokan to separate from the Kyokai.
Today, Miyazato Sensei’s son, Yasuhiro Miyazato, serves as the Kancho (head) of the Jundokan and has founded the Okinawa Gojuryu Karate-do So Honbu Jundokan association to carry his father’s legacy into the future.
The Diaspora of the Jundokan
The influence of the Jundokan is best measured by the reach of its students. Under Miyazato Sensei’s guidance, several practitioners rose to international prominence, eventually founding their own organizations.
Sanctioned Associations
Many of these groups were formed with the explicit permission and blessing of Miyazato Sensei, who often served as their Honorary Chairman:
| Association | Founder |
| International Traditional Gojuryu Karate Federation | Kuniyuki Kai Sensei |
| U.S./Tanzanian/West African Okinawan Gojuryu Karate-do Kyokai | Natambu Bomani Sensei |
| Pan American Gojuryu Karate Federation | Ramon Veras Sensei |
| New Zealand Okinawan Gojuryu / International Gojuryu Karate Assoc. | Dennis May Sensei |
| United Kingdom Okinawan Gojuryu Karate-do Kyokai | Bob Honniball Sensei |
| Okinawan Gojuryu Karate-do Okinawakan Kyokai | Kenichi Nakamoto Sensei |
| Okinawa Gojuryu Karate-do Kyokai Europe | Ryoichi Onaga Sensei |
| Traditional Okinawan Karate of Great Britain Jundokan | Ken Erridge Sensei |
Independent Lineages
Other prominent associations were founded by former Jundokan and OGKK students who sought to spread the art through their own unique structures:
Okinawan Gojuryu Bujutsu Kyokai: Founded by Kou Uehara Sensei.
IOGKF (International Okinawan Gojuryu Karate Federation): Founded by Morio Higaonna and Teruo Chinen.
Jundokan International: Founded by Teruo Chinen Sensei.
Okinawan Gojuryu Goyukai: Founded by Anyu Shinjo Sensei (now a sub-association of the OGKK).
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