GŌJŪ-RYŪ KARATE-DŌ Desk Reference - (Volume 1) 3rd Edition by Johnpaul Williams (Paperback)

Book Synopsis

In the 3rd edition of Gōjū-Ryū Karate-Dō Desk Reference 剛柔流空手道 参考書 Volume 1 Introduction & Historic Chronology 武道, 武術の歴史, we broadly expand and revise the lineage of Goju-Ryu and related histories of Karate-Do. Additionally, we release previously unpublished or unidentified photos of Miyagi Chōjun 宮城長順 as well as extend the list of his known students. Furthermore, we have updated content and articles directly relating to the history of Gōjū-Ryū Karate-Dō being a native style of Okinawa.

Gōjū-Ryū Karate-Dō Desk Reference 剛柔流空手道 参考書 is the authoritative text providing a concise and comprehensive history of Gōjū-Ryū Karate-Dō in chronological order. Broadly investigating the lineage of Gōjū-Ryū and related histories of Karate-Dō. Including many previously unpublished photographs and data, the author dispels several often-repeated martial arts myths. In this, the 3rd edition of Volume 1 we include several additional, previously unidentified photo's of Miyagi Chojun and greatly expand on his life and his students.

All Karate-Dō is from Okinawa, having spread throughout the world. There are several styles of karate from Okinawa however the most popular practice on the Island is Gōjū-Ryū Karate-dō. Chronological biographies of certain historic individuals and organizations related to Goju-Ryu include:

Ryū Ryū Kō 劉龍公 (Liú Lóng Gōng 刘隆功)

Arakaki Seishō 新垣世璋

Higaonna (Higashionna) Kanryō 東恩納寛量

Itosu Ankō 糸洲 (糸数) 安恒

Hanashiro Chōmo 花城長茂

Dr. Kanō Jigorō 嘉納治五郎

Miyagi Chōjun 宮城長順

Motobu Chōki 本部朝基

Funakoshi Gichin 船越 (富名腰) 義珍

Mabuni Kenwa 摩文仁賢和

Nakaima Norisato (Kenri) 仲井間憲里

Uechi Kanbun 上地完文

Chibana Chōshin 知花朝信

Ōtsuka Hironori 大塚博紀

Nagamine Shōshin 長嶺将真

Yagi Meitoku 八木明徳

Yamaguchi Gōgen 山口剛玄 (實実)

Yogi Jitsu'e i与儀 (興儀) 実栄 (よぎ じつえい)

Shinzato Jin'an 新里仁安

Miyazato Ei'ichi 宮里栄一

Higa Sekō (Seikō) 比嘉世幸

Ujita Shōzō 宇治田省三

Miyazato Eikō 宮里栄光

Yamamoto Tsunetomo 山本常朝

Toguchi Seikichi 渡口政吉

Sō Neichū (Soh Nei-Choo)

曺（曹）寧柱 (소 나이 추)

Okamura Mitsuyasu 岡村光康

Kizaki (Kisaki) Tomoharu 木崎友晴

Uchiage Kenzō 打揚憲造

Kinjō Hiroshi 金城裕

Izumikawa Kanki 泉川寛喜

Miyagi Takashi 宮城敬 (みやぎ たかし)

Ōyama (Mas) Masutatsu (Choi Yeong-Eui)

大山倍達 (최영의 / 崔永宜)

Tada Seigo 多田正剛

Dr. Kōno Toshisada 河野利貞

Tasaki Shūji 田崎修司

Miyagi An'ichi 宮城安一

Fukuda Keiko 福田敬子

Yamaguchi Gōsen Kishio 山口剛仙

Mayama Motomasa 間山統正

Watanabe Ryūzō 渡辺隆三

Iha Koshin 伊波康進 (庫進)

Chinen Teruo 知念輝夫

Hichiya Yoshio 比知屋義夫

Dan Ivan

Cornell Watson

Jesse Canedo

Ridgley Abel

Inoue Yoshimi 井上庆身

George Anderson

Chuck Merriman

Yamashita Yōsuke 山下洋佑

Higaonna Morio 東恩納盛男

Review Quotes

5.0 out of 5 stars ˈbrävōˈbrävō

I've been quietly researching behind the scenes for decades now and can honestly say this text not only seamlessly stiches together the history of Goju Ryu but does so accurately and without bias. It even includes photo's that were unidentified for years. I don't know how the author did it but thank you Sir.

Manuel Silva

5.0 out of 5 stars Yes, five stars.

Book Review: Goju Ryu Karate-Do. Desk Reference. By Johnpaul Williams:

This is large book in every way - 450 pages of detailed information. The heart of the book is an epic chronology, full annotated and well illustrated throughout. It also has reproduction and translations of important documents within the chronology itself, rather than having your flow broken by having to flick backwards and forwards to the appendices.

What I really like is there is no split in the chronology between the Okinawan and the Japanese streams of Goju Ryu development, each is given equal academic focus.

All to often previous history books have just focused on their side of the story following the death of Chojun Miyagi.

It is also pleasing to the global expansion of Goju Ryu given the focus it deservers and covered in detail, rather than a few paragraphs tacked onto the end.

And this chronology also integrates a thorough general timeline for the martial arts as a whole as well covering the intense details of Karate's growth in general. It also includes the outside events, historical and political events etc, that would impact Karate.

Surprisingly, there is no index, but given the size and scale of this first volume, I am guessing an index would have added a massive number of additional pages, with a large increase in the bulk and cost of the volume. And as this is the first volume of five volume set with the intent of covering all aspects of Goju Ryu Karate-Do. This maybe dealt with in later volumes.

The only complaint I can make is in the layout. When we hit the 20th century and events come thick and fast, the individual years are not marked out strongly enough for quick and easy reference. But this a minor quibble because the content is excellent.

This is a very big, very good book and worth investing in.

Andy Moorhouse 7th Dan

Goju Ryu Karate-Do

5.0 out of 5 stars really great book well put together

I liked everything about the book, bought it for my self, showed sit to another back-belt friend of mine he liked it so much i gave it to him, and bought another one for me thanks

Sensei Frost

5.0 out of 5 stars OMG the was far better than expected

A clear example of dedication to the finer details so long left out of the equation. Thank you for what you have preserved and discovered.

Fujisawa Takayoshi

5.0 out of 5 stars FINALLY someone got it right!

Finally, Karate history in the order it actually occurred. Why did it take so long for someone to figure out the obvious.

Mike Tate

5.0 out of 5 stars Perfect for karateka

This is truly a gem for those who practice karate, especially karateka who do Goju Ryu. The knowledge and history in this book is exceptional

Camilo S. Iribarren