Meibukan (明武舘) is a branch of the Goju-ryu style of karate-do. It was created by Dai Sensei Meitoku Yagi, a student of Goju-ryu's founder, Master Chojun Miyagi. Meibukan means "House of the pure-minded warrior."
Yagi Sensei opened the first Meibukan dojo in 1952. He was the first student of MIYAGI Sensei recorded to be given permission. At this time, he was given the Calligraphy (Oku myo zai ren shin) from Miyagi Sensei's friend (who was a Shodo Master).... it hangs in the Hombu Dojo to this very day. YAGI Sensei is the recognised Menkyo Kaden of the Goju-ryu style as he was the recipient Miyagi Sensei's gi (uniform) and obi (belt) in 1963, ten years after his death.
Meibukai practice Goju-ryu kata, as well as its own set of kata developed by Dai Sensei, known as the Meibuken kata. History indicates that it was a young YAGI, Meitoku (in his late teens) who would first learn the complete early set of Goju-ryu Kaishu Kata.
In March 2012, the Karate world will pay homage to YAGI, Meitoku Dai Sensei during his 100th anniversary celebration era (b. March 6th, 1912) with a seven day Festival featuring hundreds of international students taken part in a Kata Tournament, various demos, and a symposium planned to close out the event.
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Tenchi’s name is taken from the first line in a poem in the Bubishi, "Jin shin wa Tenchi ni Onaji." This means "the mind is one with heaven and earth." While Tenchi is most often translated as "heaven and earth" its literal meaning is "heaven and hell." Originally, Tenchi was composed of two kata, Fukyu kata ichi and Fukyu kata ni. They were eventually combined, and now Ten no kata represents the first half, while Chi no kata is the second half. The other four Meibuken kata are named after the four gods of the cardinal directions in Japanese and Chinese mythology. YAGI Meitoku Sensei got the idea after seeing these names bannered on war flags during the Tsuna-Hiki (Tug of War Festival held each year in Naha)See the page on Meitoku Yagi for more on the Meibukan kata.
Seiryu means azure (blue) dragon, Byakko means white tiger, Shujakku means vermillion (Red) bird and Genbu black (mysterious) turtle.
As well, Taikyoku patterns are practiced. They can be done alone; as well as with a partner (Renzoku kumite), which is done in a straight-line pattern; or with three or five people altogether (Kakomi kumite), in which one karateka is surrounded by the others. There are no traditional Meibukan weapons forms; however, YAGI Dai Sensei did adapt some Meibuken Kaishu kata to bō and sai, and are commonly referred to as Meibuken Kobudo. They are as follows.
In Goju-Ryu Meibu-kan, Dojos practice forms of Yakusoku Kumite only. Yakusoku Kumite means pre-arranged sparring. There is no practice of Jiyu Kumite or free sparring. There has never been free fighting in classical Okinawan Goju-Ryu.
In Jiyu Kumite, Karate becomes a sport, and classical Karate is not a sport. Okinawans practice Karate-Do, meaning the way of the empty hand. Also Jiyu Kumite can hinder the development of good Karate techniques, especially in Okinawan Goju-Ryu, where the emphasis is ending the fight with one devastating technique (Hito Tsuki).
Currently, Dai Sensei's eldest son, YAGI Meitatsu Sensei, Hanshi is Chairman of the IMGKA (International Meibukan Goju-ryu Karate Association) and travels the world frequently. Presently he is the most senior active Meibukai student of the late Grand Master YAGI, Meitoku. There are branches in Canada, USA, England, India, Iran, Philippines, Russia, Georgia, Brazil, Hong Kong, and Czech Republic. YAGI Meitatsu Sensei universally conveys the philosophical message that some teachers of budo in the world teach how to fight, we of Meibukai rather teach how not to fight.... in other words Meibukai does not practice the emphasis of how to win but rather how not to lose.
The Meibukan Hombu Dojo was founded by Yagi Meitoku, Dai Sensei in 1952 prior to passing of Goju-Ryu founder, Miyagi Chojun. Since then, the Meibukan Hombu Dojo has been an integral part of Okinawa Karate. Yagi Dai Sensei was a founding father of the Okinawa Goju-Kai and All Okinawa Karate-Do Association both of which the Meibukan Hombu Dojo has been actively a part of since their formation. While Dai Sensei was alive, he appointed international representatives that are still practicing Meibukan today and are still recognized by the Meibukan Hombu Dojo. These representatives are Shiki Tadanori of Ibaraki, Japan, Anthony Mirakian of USA, Yonamine Yasunori of South America, Rajesh Thakkar of India, and Cristofi Clemente of Australia. Note however, that Johannes Wong was also a long serving student and instructor of Goju-ryu Meibukan directly under Dai Sensei Yagi Meitoku since the mid-1980s in Australia. The Meibukan Hombu Dojo also recognizes the members of the Canadian Meibukan Goju-Ryu Association as representative of the Hombu. The Meibukan Hombu dojo also has satellite branches in Okinawa, Japan that includes Matsugawa, Tsukayama, Naha, Tsuji, Kume, and Nagata.
Dai Sensei's second son, YAGI Meitetsu Sensei, Hanshi currently is president and head instructor of the Meibukan Hombu Dojo in Naha, Okinawa and has travelled to world. He has been invited to India, Hawaii, Australia, and USA to share his knowledge of Meibukan. The Meibukan Hombu Dojo maintains an important role in keeping Dai Sensei's legacy alive through the participation and support of the Okinawa Goju-Kai and the all Okinawa Karate-Do Association.
There are three suffixes to "Meibu" used: kan, kai and ken. Meibukan is the "house of the pure-minded warrior." This refers the style of karate practiced. Meibukai is the association—it can also be used singularly to describe a karateka practicing Meibukan. Meibuken is, roughly translated, the "law (or fist) of the pure-minded warrior." The last one is used in association with the kata.
The Meibukan crest is the kanji "mei," which is the first kanji in the first names of Dai Sensei and his two sons. Yagi Meitatsu’s two sons, Yagi Akihito and Yagi Akihiro also share the kanji. The following are three interpretations of the crest.
There are several maxims used in Meibukan—some are particular to the style, while others are common to other styles of Goju-ryu and karate. The following are some of the more common sayings.
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