Kanryo Higashionna Sensei: (March 1853 – December 1916):  was born in Nishimura, Naha.  He started practicing karate at a young age, which at the time, was called simply “ti” (hand). In 1873, at the age of 23, Higanonna Sensei went to Fuzhou Province in China to study Chinese Kenpo. After a period of time he found and gained the trust of Ryu Ryuko Sensei who agreed to teach him.  After returning to Okinawa, at the age of 38, he founded the fighting style Naha-Te, later to be named Goju Ryu by his student, Chojun Miyagi Sensei.

Chojun Miyagi Sensei: (4 April 1888 – 8 October 1953): was born in Naha, Okinawa and began his karate training under Kanryo Higashionna at the age of 14.  He studied and practiced hard under Higashionna Sensei and his skill and ability increased quickly.  In 1915 Miyagi Sensei traveled to China to study for a short time.  Miyagi Sensei followed Higaonna Sensei as the leader of Naha Te, and went on to found Goju Ryu Karate.  Chojun Miyagi dedicated his life to karate.  He was responsible for structuring Goju Ryu into the systemized discipline which is now taught around the world.

Eiichi Miyazato Sensei: (5 July 1922 – 11 December 1999): was born in Naha, Okinawa and began his Karate training at age 13 with his father.  He became a student of Chojun Miyagi Sensei at the age of 15, and except for a short time during WWII, Miyazato Sensei remained with Miyagi Sensei until his death in 1953.  After Miyagi Sensei’s death, Miyazato Sensei inherited all of Miyagi’s Hojo Undo equipment, and at the request of his fellow students and Miyagi’s family, he continued teaching at the Garden Dojo (Miyagi’s Dojo).  In April 1954, at the general meeting of the then Okinawa Goju Kai, he was officially recognized as the successor to Miyagi Sensei.  In 1957 he opened the Jundokan Karate Dojo (House for the Following in the Footsteps of the Father) in Asato, Naha City where he continued teaching traditional Goju Ryu.

Anyu Shinjo Sensei:

– Founder and Head Instructor, Okinawa Goju Ryu Goyu Kai:  Shinjo Sensei began studying karate at age 9 and continued to practice through graduation from University.  At the age of 23 he entered the Okinawan Prefectural Police Force where he met Miyazato Sensei who invited him to train at the Jundokan.   In 1989, Shinjo Sensei opened the Goyu Kan Hombu Dojo in Yamashita Cho, Naha City.  The name Goyu Kan is composed of 3 Kanji: Go from Goju Ryu, Yu from Anyu (Shinjo Sensei’s given name), and Kan for building or house.  Later with the addition of Goyu Kan – USA and Goyu Kan – France Shinjo Sensei stood up the Goyu Kai.

Anthony Willis Sensei:

– Senior Instructor, Okinawa Goju Ryu Goyu Kan – USA.  Anthony began training karate after entering the Air Force in 1983.  In 1991 he was introduced to Shinjo Sensei by the Kadena Air Base Security Police Interpreter.  Anthony studied in the Goyu Kan Hombu dojo on Okinawa for four years.