“The Epitome Of The Word Karate Master”

Morio Higaonna 1938 – 

“The Epitome Of The Word Karate Master”

Morio Higaonnawas born in Naha, Japan. He is a prominent Okinawankarate practitioner, and the founder and Chief Instructor of the International Okinawan Goju-ryu Karate-do Federation (IOGKF). He holds the highest rank in Goju-ryu karate, 10th dan, awarded by Sensei An’ichi Miyagi. Along with this Dan certificate, he was awarded a certificate by An’ichi and Aragaki Sensei acknowledging him as successor of the teachings of Grand Master Chojun Miyagi and the Goju-Ryu style.

He began his Karate training at the age of 14, in Shorin-Ryu under the tutelage of his father. It was Shimabukuro who recommended that Higaonna learn Goju-ryu karate at Chojun Miyagi's garden dojo (training hall) in 1954, one year after, the founder of Goju Ryu, Chojun Miyagi's passing. In the late 1950s, he began training under Ei'ichi Miyazato, the most senior student of Miyagi.

Higaonna was awarded black belt status by Miyazato in 1957. In 1960, he moved to Tokyo to study at Takushoku University.On December 30 of that year, Higaonna was promoted to the rank of 3rd dan at the first all-style dan grading of the Okinawa Karate-do Renmei. Invited to teach at Tokyo's Yoyogi dojo, he attracted a large following of karateka (practitioners of karate), reportedly teaching 4 classes a day.

In 1970, Morio Higaonna and his senior students formed the International Okinawan Goju-Ryu Karate-do Federation (IOKGF), with the primary mission to protect the traditional teachings of Chojun Miyagi and to bring Okinawan Go-ju-Ryu karate to the world.

Since the formation of the IOKGF, Sensei Higaonna instructs around the globe, spreading Okinawa Goju-Ryui. He has met with senior martial arts practitioners and has made several trips to the roots of Goju-Ryu karate. In 1997 the IOGF was accepted as a member of Nihon Kobudo Kyokai (Japan Traditional Martials Association formed to protect and preserve traditional martial arts). Sensei Higaonna is Goju-Ryu’s sole representative. IOGKF, under Sensei Higaonna has grown to over 50 countries and over 75,000 students worldwide.

In May, 2013, the Okinawan government presented him with an award and title recognizing him as an Intangible Cultural Treasure of Okinawa, for his many years of dedication and preservation of Goju-ryu Karate as an important part of Okinawan culture and history. This title is the highest a martial artist may receive in Japan for the martial arts and is only awarded to a handful of grandmasters in Japan’s modern history.

Those who have met him, or have studied under him are in awe of his superb technique and incredible power, his manners and the manners of his students, his humility and good nature.