History

History of Goju Karate
Shorei Kan Langley Lineage

Below are the people who made significant contributions to the development and evolution of martial forms leading to Shorei Kan Goju Ryu Karate. The provenance of Shorei Kan Langley is very pure; it is directly connected to the originators and developers of goju karate.

Kanryo Higaonna (1853-1915) >

Martial arts master in Okinawa
Practiced and taught Naha-Te
Traveled to China and brought back several kata
Adapted the Chinese forms to the Okinawan culture, people, and needs
Chief students included Juhatsu Kyoda, Chojun Miyagi, and Seko Higa

Miyagi Chojun (1888-1953)>

One of Kanryo Higaonna's chief students
After Higaonna's passing in 1915, became master of the Naha-Te style
Traveled to China to further study martial arts
Developed and systematized goju as a karate form

Seikichi Toguchi (1917-1998)

One of Miyagi Chojun's chief students
Continued development of a systematic structure for teaching and learning goju karate
After Miyagi Chojun passed in 1953, his chief students branched out to open their own dojos.
Toguchi Kaicho is the founder of Shorei Kan (House of Politeness and Respect) goju ryu.

Seko Higa (1898-1966)>

One of Kanryo Higaonna's chief students
Continued to study and practice with Miyagi Chojun after Higaonna's passing
Was Seikichi Toguchi's first formal karate teacher

Tomoaki Koyabu (1946- )

One of Seikichi Toguchi's chief students
Under the direction of Toguchi Kaicho, brought Shorei Kan to Canada in 1972
Coordinated visits bringing Seikichi Toguchi and Haruko Toguchi to Canada to work with students and instructors from Vancouver, Langley, Surrey, and Delta dojos.
Still visits and teaches a few times a year at Langley dojo. Teaches Sunday brown/black classes once per month in Langley.

Langley black belts

J. Wong
T. Wilson
S. Katagiri
D. Kress
J. Menear
J. Williamson
C. Leung
J. Berger
J. Wutke
F. Regier
R. Shirley
K. Palmer
S. Mitchell
N. Buckley
Shawn Ternan
Leah Ternan
Puneet Chhina
Margy Hitchcock
Mike Murray