It should be emphasized that this decision was made ten years after the death of Miyagi, more than enough time for all senior alumni to accumulated enough technical and moral merit to be worthy of the recognition of the Miyagi family, but Miyagi's family made the choice favoring of Yagi Meitoku sensei.
If we assume that, with Miyagi Chojun sensei alive, only Higa Seko, Yagi Meitoku (both in Okinawa) and Yamaguchi Gogen (mainland Japan) received approval to open Okinawa Goju Ryu Karate-do dojos, we must bow to
these three as the legitimate12 heirs of Miyagi sensei.
If we analyze the fact that Japanese society, Shinto is the official religion (ancestor worship), we could propose that Chojun Miyagi's successor should be the older student that was training or teaching Goju ryu at the moment he died. If we accept that the Miyagi family agreed with that, then Yagi Meitoku sensei as outlined in our analysis should be the successor to Miyagi sensei.
Miyagi Chojun sensei with students.
However if we take as reference the fact that in 1978 the famous Yamaguchi Gogen sensei, decided to travel to Naha, Okinawa to train in the Meibukan under the direction of Yagi Meitoku sensei, we should think that Yamaguchi considered Yagi as the most outstanding disciple of Miyagi Chojun sensei and that he had the skills, knowledge and
maturity to provide him appropriate advice in the techniques of Goju ryu.
The author establishes this assertion based on talking with Yagi Meitatsu sensei, August 1991, when he visits his home and the Meibukan. This master told us as Meitoku Yagi sensei in 1952 established his own dojo in the Daido district of Naha and taught regularly after returning from his work at customs offices. Regarding Yamaguchi Gogen sensei, he had established a school of karate at Ritsumeikan University in 1930, when Miyagi Chojun had not yet formalized the name of Goju Ryu.
In this document it is clearly established:
1 - That the meeting was convened and chaired by Okinawan Goju Kai President, Keiyo Madanbashi sensei.
2 - That it was explained the state of affairs in which the dojo of the late Miyagi sensei was and the intent of all those present to choose an official successor for the tradition, teaching and secrets of Goju ryu, and also to represent the style publicly.
3 - That Nakaima Genkai and others presented a motion that this designation be awarded to Miyazato Ei'Ichi.
4 - That the motion was opposed only by Yagi Meitoku under the allegation that Miyazato Ei’Ichi knowledge was mostly Judo instead of Goju ryu
karate-do.
5 - That Yagi sensei suggested electing another person (excluding
Miyazato, but not excluding himself).
It is Important to notice, that by the time this carpenter should have practiced with Miyagi Chojun, the name "Goju ryu" had not crossed the mind of anyone. Everybody when referred to Higaonna Kanryo's teachings used to say Nahadei or Nahate. It was after Ji'an Shinzato return to Okinawa in 1929, where he performed a demonstration in a show held in Mainland Japan, when Miyagi sensei chose the name Goju ryu (hard and soft style) based on a poem found in old Chinese book named Bubishi.
Consistent with what it was written by Sensei Yamaguchi Sensei himself in his book "Goju Ryu Karate Do Kyohan" and published by the International Karate-Do Goju-kai in 1966.
Free oral translation made by Sakamoto Tameyoshi sensei to the author. 2001
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