Here's an overview of the most basic facts (from multiple sources) for visitors and newcomers to Seigokan Goju-Ryu. I welcome corrections and annotations from any knowledgeable source.
Kanryo Higaonna (Naha-Te)
Sensei Kanryo Higaonna (1853-1915), born in the city of Naha, Okinawa, studied Okinawan kempo ("fist-method" or "way of the fist") and in 1867 traveled to Foochow, Fukien Province, China to study Chinese martial arts. He spent twenty years under the Chinese master Ryu Ryuko, who was believed to have studied at the southern Shaolin Temple and may have also taught in the White Crane tradition. Higaonna became Ryuko's personal disciple or uchi-deshi. It is believed that Higaonna returned to Okinawa in 1881 (Meiji Era) and later began a new Naha-Te school in his home of Nishishin-machi. He later taught at the Naha Commercial High School.
Chojun Miyagi (Goju-ryu)
Chojun Miyagi (1888-1953), born on Okinawa and at age of 11 or 12 began study with Sensei Ryuko Aragaki. At the age 14 he was introduced to Sensei Higaonna and later accepted as Higaonna's disciple studying Naha-te until Higaonna's death in 1915. From 1915 to 1917, Miyagi also studied in Foochow, Fukien province of China. After returning to Okinawa he taught at his home.From his study in China and his acquaintance with Chinese masters visiting Okinawa, Miyagi became well versed in and influenced by other Chinese martial arts, including White Crane boxing, Tiger Boxing, and Monk Fist. According to an account written by Master Morio Higaonna, in 1926, Miyagi founded the Okinawa Karate Kenkyu-Kai (Research Club) with Chomo Hanashiro of Shuri-Te, Choyu Motobu of Tomari-Te and Kenwa Mabuni. Soon after, he traveled to Japan to demonstrate what he called "toudijutsu" (China Hand Art) or what was simply known as Te (hand) on Okinawa.
In 1933, "Goju-Ryu" was officially accepted by the Dai Nippon Butokokai (All Japan Martial Arts Association). This was the first "karate" so recognized. After World War II, Miyagi taught at the Police Academy of Okinawa and also accepted new students at his home. Miyagi was known as one of the first masters to systematize Karate as a self-defense method and as a spiritual endeavor that could be taught in a modern setting.
Seigo Tada (Siegokan Goju-Ryu)
From his official biography: Seigo Tada (1922-1997), born in Kyoto, Japan. As early as 1937, he learned Chinese martial arts (Chinese Kenpo) from Sensei Ching Lou in Shanghai. He entered Ritsumeikan University in Kyoto and its Karate club. Then and after graduation, he studied the essence of Goju-Ryu Karate-do from Sensei Chojun Miyagi. In 1943 he was nominated as a coach of the Ritsumeikan University Karate Club. After graduation, he established the Nihon Seigokan Karate-doshikai (SAJKA), Nihon Goju-Ryu Karate-doshikai and Nihon Seigokai in Kyoto. He had been leading 120 Seigokan domestic dojos and branches, as well as University clubs and overseas dojos, as president and chief instructor.In 1964, Master Seigo Tada joined as one of the promoters and executives in establishing and organizing the All Japan Karate-Do Federation, Kansai District Karate-do Federation, Kinki District Karate-do Federation and each prefectural karate-do federation, and pursued the union of each federation. He established competition rules and developed the original protector in 1952 for the purpose of modernizing Karate-do as a sport. In 1981, he won the Hyogo Prefecture Athletic Award of Merit.
- Member of the Instruction Committee in the Japan Karate-do Federation (JKF) and a member of deliberation
- Director of Japan Karate-do Federation (JKF)
- Chief of Directors of Kansai District Karate-do Federation
- Chief of Directors of Kinki District Karate-do Federation
- Chief of Directors, VP and Acting President in Hyogo Prefectural Karate-do Federation
Upon his death in 1997, Master Seigo Tada was succeeded by his wife, Mrs. Michiko Okamoto (Seigo Tada II), and subsequently by their son (Seigo Tada III) as president of the organization. The contact information for the Seigokan headquarters is:
Kancho Seigo Tada III, The President Seigokan All Japan Karate-do Association
722 Bessho, Bessho-cho
Himeji-city, Hyogo-ken 671-0221 Japan
Tel and Fax: +81 792 520026
Marcos Collaco (Seigokan USA/San Francisco Bay Area)
Sensei Marcos Collaco has taught Seigokan Goju-ryu in the San Francisco Bay Area for more than 40 years.Seigokan SF Bay Area Lineage
Master Seigo Tada (1922-1997)|
Shoji Yuki and Yukiaki Yoki
Hong Kong Dojo - 1967
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José Martins Achiam
Macau Dojo - 1967 ----------------|
| Puchy e Irmãos Novos
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Luis Pedruco and Alberto Carlos Paes D'Assumpção (Acaio)
Nov. 1970 May 1971
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Leonardo Carion (1976)
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Marcos Collaco (1977)------(SF Bay Area, USA)
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R. Takeshi Fukuchi (1978) |
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Mario Carion (1976) |
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Marcos Furtado (1981) |
Shaun Greely
Frank Hinckley
Craig Hartford
Jose Collaco
Leon D'Aquino
David M. Kalman
Peter Popin
Cathy D'Aquino Greely
Angela Ng Swanson
Dzung Dang
Juliana Collaco
Angelo Collaco
Shawn Collaço Naval
