山口刚玄

山口刚玄

Gogen　"The Cat" Yamaguchi was a legend in karate. Few karate practitioners have had the kind of influence that he had. He was born Jitsumi Yamaguchi on January 21st, 1909 in Kagoshima prefecture in Japan. He began training in several martial arts in his younger years and then started learning karate in 1923.

In 1929, Gogen Yamaguchi entered Ritsumeikan University majoring in law studies. He started up a karate club at the university. Gogen Yamaguchi met Chojun Miyagi Sensei for the first time in 1931. He continued to train with Miyagi Chojun Sensei and was awarded a teaching license by Miyagi Sensei in 1937. In fact, the name "Gogen" was also given to Yamaguchi Sensei by Miyagi Sensei at this time.

After returning from a prisoner of war camp in 1947, Gogen Yamaguchi Sensei found Japan in ruins. He decided to use karate to help rebuild Japan and to promote goodwill among people around the world. He opened the Asakusa dojo in 1949 and the All Japan Karate Gojukai was formed the following year. He attracted large numbers of students. He also attracted non-Japanese students and the spread of Goju began. In 1961, Gosen Yamaguchi (the second son) went to San Francisco to enter university. He opened a dojo in San Francisco. In 1964 the first son, Gosei Yamaguchi, and then in the following year the third son, Goshi Yamaguchi, went to the US. In 1965, the International Karatedo Gojukai Association (IKGA) was formed.

Gogen Yamaguchi traveled to several countries to help promote Gojukai. He was also involved in the formation of the Japan Karatedo Federation (JKF). As well, he established the Karate College in 1971. He brought together many top teachers from the various arts.

Gogen Yamaguchi Kaiso was very active in many areas in the 1970s and 1980s. He received various prestigious awards throughout his lifetime. He passed away on May 20th, 1989.

This is a brief outline of Gogen Yamaguchi's biography. For a more complete picture, please watch the new DVD titled: Karatedo Legend "The Cat" Gogen Yamaguchi.

山口刚史

Grand Master Goshi Yamaguchi, 8th Dan,Hanshi

Goshi Yamaguchi was born on September 28 1942, as the third son of Kaiso (the Founder) Master Gogen Yamaguchi. In 1951, at the age of eight, he began practicing karate-do at Senzoku Dojo in Asakusa.

He received the 1st dan in 1957 and the 2nd dan in 1959. In 1962 the became a 3rd dan holder and an instructor.

He entered Nihon University in 1963, majoring in cinema studies in the Department of Arts. While he was a student, he had an oppertunity to teach karate-do at an American branch dojo for a year. After he came back to Japan, he taught in various Goju-ryu dojo. He graduated from the university in 1969, when he became full time shihan in the head dojo with a view to promote and develop Goju-ryu Karate-do.

He has visited and taught in more than 40 countries in the world thus far as an authorized instructor of Goju-kai, All Japan Karate-do Federation, Tokyo karate-do Federation, and as an international referee. In 1990, he was appointed to be the president of All Japan Karate-do Goju-kai Association, International Karate-do Goju-kai Association, and Saiko Shihan (Grand Master) for the two associations.

山口刚平

Gohei Yamaguchi, Godan - Renshi

Gohei Yamaguchi Sensei was born on February 14th, 1976. He has studied karate under both his grandfather, Kaiso Gogen Yamaguchi, and his father, Saiko Shihan Goshi Yamaguchi from the age of 4.

Among his accomplishments, Gohei Yamaguchi Shihan won 1st place in Bunkai Kumite and 3rd place in Kata at the IKGA World Championships (Holland). He has also won 1st place 4 years in a row at the JKGA (Japan Karatedo Gojukai Association) All Japan Championships in individual kata.

In November, 2015 Gohei Yamaguchi Shihan was appointed as the Bloc Director for IKGA Asia. He continues to serve as Vice-Bureau Chief for JKGA.