Goju-ryu (剛柔流), Japanese for “hard-soft style”, is one of the main traditional Okinawan styles of karate, featuring a combination of hard and soft techniques. Gō, which means hard, refers to closed hand techniques or straight linear attacks; jū, which means soft, refers to open hand techniques and circular movements. 

Goju-ryu practices methods that include body strengthening and conditioning, its basic approach to fighting (distance, limb control, power generation, etc.), and partner drills – as well as the three basic pillars of karate: Kihon (basics), Kata (forms), and Kumite (sparring).

Despite some misconceptions, classical karate emphasizes a blend of striking and grappling arts and incorporates kicking, striking, clinching, and wrestling skills — making it one of the original “mixed” martial arts, and a practical methodology for self-defense.

Goju-ryu as a specific style was founded in 1929 by Chojun Miyagi sensei (1888–1953), upon outside prompting to name and codify the karate he was teaching. Miyagi sensei began his training in 1899 at the age of 11, first under Arakaki Ryuko sensei and then under Kanryo Higaonna, who became his sensei in 1902 until Higaonna’s death in 1916. Miyagi continued teaching the karate taught to him by Higaonna, which he expanded on through his own study and through travels to China.

Teaching out of his garden dojo (in the backyard of his home), Miyagi focused on heavily on kihon (basics), strength and conditioning through hojo undo (supplemental training) and makiwara training, and sanchin kata. For the first three years of a student’s training, this was their entire focus — after which point they would be taught one or two additional kata based on their body type and fighting style. It was rare for any of Miyagi’s students to learn all of the goju-ryu kata.

His students went on, after Miyagi’s death in 1953, to form some of the most well-known karate organizations in the world, including the Jundokan, Meibukan, and Shoreikan.  Miyagi believed that “the ultimate aim of karate-do was to build character, conquer human misery, and find spiritual freedom.”  He stated that it was important to balance training for self-defense with “training the mind, or cultivating the precept karate-do ni sente nashi (‘there is no first strike in karate’);” he also emphasized the importance of “cultivating intellect before strength”.

Okinawan Kobudo (古武道) is the practice and study of classical weapons. Unlike karate, which emphasizes empty-hand techniques, Kobudo focuses on translating the same body mechanics to the weapon as an extension of the body. The term “Kobudo” translates to “old martial way,” reflecting its historical roots and traditional techniques.

Our style was systematized by Matayoshi Shinpo sensei, who was born in 1888 and studied extensively under different masters in both karate and kobudo. Matayoshi Shinpo’s efforts in preserving and codifying the techniques and principles of kobudo led to the formation of what is now known as Matayoshi Kobudo.

Matayoshi Kobudo emphasizes the practical application and traditional forms (kata) of each weapon, focusing on both individual techniques and their application in combat scenarios. This system not only preserves Okinawan martial heritage but also offers insights into the philosophical and practical aspects of traditional weaponry. Today, Matayoshi Kobudo continues to be practiced and respected worldwide, reflecting its historical and cultural significance.

Matayoshi Kobudo as a system encompasses over a dozen weapons; however, the principal weapons studied are:

• Bo: A long staff, typically about 6 feet in length
• Sai: A set of three-pronged metal tridents used for blocking and striking
• Nunchaku: A pair of connected sticks used for striking and entangling.
• Tonfa: A pair of wooden handles with a perpendicular bar, often used for blocking and striking.

Jiu-jitsu or jujutsu (柔術) is a traditional Japanese martial art, with origins in the samurai era. Its development was inspired by the need for effective hand-to-hand combat techniques once too close to one’s opponent to use a sword. The art focuses on using an opponent’s force against them, emphasizing throws, joint locks, and ground fighting rather than relying on physical size or strength.

In the late 19th and early 20th centuries, jiu-jitsu underwent significant transformation, particularly with the efforts of Jigoro Kano in Japan and the Gracie family in Brazil. Kano, seeking to create a modern martial art, founded judo, which adapted and refined jiu-jitsu techniques for sport and self-improvement, with a heavy emphasis on throws, sweeps, trips, and other takedowns. In Brazil, jiu-jitsu was further adapted by the Gracie family into Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (BJJ), focusing on ground fighting and submission techniques.

Today, jiujitsu is considered a highly effective system of self-defense, especially when blended with striking arts. As a stand-alone art, jiujitsu techniques are generally categorized into several key areas, each focusing on different aspects of grappling and submission:

1. Takedowns and Takedown Defense: Techniques used to bring the opponent to the ground or defend against being taken down.
2. Positional Control: These techniques focus on gaining and maintaining advantageous positions over an opponent.
3. Sweeps: Techniques used to reverse positions from the bottom, often transitioning to a more dominant position.
4. Escapes: Techniques used to free oneself from inferior positions or submissions.
5. Submissions: Techniques designed to force an opponent to surrender by applying joint locks or chokes.

There is considerable natural overlap between jiujitsu and the grappling aspects of karate, and we blend these arts together in our training to allow students to have a more complete understanding of combat at various ranges.

Filipino Kali, also known as Eskrima or Arnis, is a martial art with deep roots in the Philippines, dating back to the 16th century. It evolved from indigenous combat systems used by early Filipino warriors and was influenced by Spanish colonial military practices.

Focused on blending weapon-based techniques with empty-hand techniques, Kali emphasizes the use of rattan stick (baston) in training — historically as a safe substitute for bladed weapons. The art was shaped by various regional styles and masters, preserving its practicality and adaptability.

Kali is practiced with two sticks (“double stick” or “doble baston”) or with just one stick (“single stick”). Double Stick Kali focuses on developing coordination, ambidexterity, and fluid continuous movement. Single Stick Kali focuses on the contrast between the actions of the weapon and the actions of the empty, or “active,” hand — developing the practitioner’s ability to multitask (e.g. trap and strike).

We incorporate Kali into our curriculum because of the ways its principles blend naturally with principles found in goju-ryu karate, particularly the blend of trapping and striking at close-range. It also integrates nicely with our kobudo curriculum, particularly with short weapons like the sai and nunchaku.