Unlike my friend Fred Lohse sensei, I never got to train with Sakai Ryugo, but thanks to his introduction many years ago I was able to train with his son Sakai Ryusho sensei and the shihandai of the Ryukyukaikan, Miyagi Tatsuhiko sensei. Ryugo sensei’s Goju-ryu lineage is quite interesting (like most senior Goju-ryu teachers), but what struck me the most was the philosophy he articulated.
Like most teachers of his generation, there is an emphasis on responsibility, discipline and self-reliance that is missing in my opinion from modern Karateka. So, I decided to translate Ryugo’s sensei’s ideals and philosophy as they appear on the Ryushinkaikan website. I hope you find them as insightful as I did. Read more →