Goju-Ryu History
The style that we practice, Goju-Ryu, is one of the four major styles of
Japanese or Okinawan Karate. Goju-Ryu can be traced back hundreds
of years to the island of Okinawa.

Due to a vast and varied political climate, the Goju-Ryu style went
through many changes. At one point in Goju-Ryu's development,
Karate training and weapons were forbidden on the island of Okinawa.
It was left to the early masters to continue training in secret, often in
underground dojos. One of the early masters of Karate was
Kanryo Higaonna. Born in 1853, he is credited with bringing
Chinese martial arts to Okinawa. Higaonna was not a teacher but
was convinced to open a dojo when others heard of his reputation in
China. He taught martial arts in the most traditional manner to
those who would learn, not to those who wanted to be taught.
Many would-be students came to Higaonna and many were sent
on their way.

However, one student by the name of Chojun Miyagi did not only stay
but was eventually to succeed his teacher and became the founder
of Goyu-Ryu Karate. Chojun Miyagi was born in 1888, in Naha,
Okinawa. When he was fourteen years old he started to study
Karate with Grandmaster Higaonna. Though his dedication of the
study of the martial arts, Miyagi was credited with making the system
solid and well respected. He was such a dominant force in modern
Karate that he became well known not only as the founder of Goju-Ryu
Karate but also as the true leader of Okinawan and Japanese Karate.
This is why the roots of modern Karate are traced back to this man.

Based upon the early combative arts, Goju-Ryu was developed to be
versatile and adaptable to any and all self-defense situations. In creating
the style, Miyagi went beyond what was necessary for physical ability
and incorporated the features necessary to build character, develop
self-confidence, improve attention span, increase patience, enhance
self-respect and learn discipline.

There is much Oriental wisdom and philosophy infused in the training
that is useful in present day living. Miyagi devoted his entire life to
study and refinement of Goju-Ryu.

Gogen Yamaguchi, was born in Kyushi, Japan on January 20, 1909. In
1929 Gogan Yamaguchi invites Chojun Miyagi to Japan and in 1930
establishes Japanese Goju-ryu headquarters in Tokyo. In 1937, he
receives the name, Gogen, from Chojun Miyagi and authorized him to
spread and promote Goju-ryu in Japan. In 1950 he founded the national
organization of All Japan Karate-do Goju-Kai in Tokyo, Japan. He had
3 sons who are masters and promoters of Goju-Kai around the world. IKGA
International is under Saiko Shihan Goshi Yamaguchi since the passing of
Gogen Yamaguchi in 1989.

History of Muso Jikiden Eishin Ryu Iai
Please visit my Sensei, Bill Mears, web page at www.geocities.com/yugenkan/

 

HISTORY OF
CHIPPAWA MARTIAL ARTS

CMA was established in 1995 by Robert Reece. Along with his Goju-ryu
training, Robert has trained, been certified and ranked in numerous martial arts
which include, Tai kwon do, United States Combat Systems, Kickboxing,
Tai Chi, Kobudo, Chinese Kenpo, Neko-do Systems of Goju-ryu (5th Dan Renshi),
Iaido and has participated in many seminars and tournaments. Robert
has incorporated his 25+ years of training in the martial arts and
his life experiences to found the style of Raiondo-goju( hard soft
way of the lion). Raiondo-goju is a personal work in progress for Robert but
his main arts are IKGA Goju-ryu, Iaido and Tai chi chuan.

Robert went looking for the true lineage of Goju-ryu and in 2002 meet
and trained with Craig Vokey Sensei of IKGA Canada. Since that time
Robert and the studends of CMA have become probational members of
IKGA Canada and are training hard to meet the standards of Yamaguchi
style Goju-ryu.

Robert was awarded the Honorary degree "Doctor of Budo" by the
American College of Martial Sciences. To find out more about ACMC and
their programs go to www.acms.edu.

In Feb 2000, we moved to our present location at 6420 McLeod Rd
and joined forces with Andre Lemieux to form Chippawa Martial Arts and
Tiger's Lair Karate. Andre is the senior student of Robert and holds a
2nd Dan in Goju-ryu.  Since that time, Andre has proven to be a good leader
and Sensei. In January 2002, Robert turned over this commercial location to Andre.
It is now run under the name Tiger's Lair Karate. Robert started a part-time
not-for-profit location at 2999 Dorchester Road, Mary Ward School. At this location
we continue to teach and develop in IKGA Goju-ryu, Iaido and Tai chi.

We are also a probationary member of IKGA Canada and hope to become
a full member in the near future. To find out more about the association
visit www.gojukai-canada.com.

List of Black Belts from
Chippawa Martial Arts
Certified by Robert Reece

Andre Lemieux Nidan also certified instructor

Ned Antic Shodan

Dan Henningham Shodan

Cathy Henningham Shodan

Ed Brown - Shodan

Kim Reece - Shodan

Krystle Reece - Shodan (junior)

Laura Burey Shodan- Ho

Steven Stenhouse Shodan-Ho

Brown Belts

Scott Sovar

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Established Since 1995




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