1. Morio Higaonna is a world renowned Okinawan karate master who is the founder and Chief Instructor of the Traditional Okinawan Goju-Ryu Karate-do Federation.
37 Facts About Morio Higaonna
1. 2.
Morio Higaonna founded the International Okinawan Goju Ryu Karate-do Federation.
3.
Morio Higaonna is a holder of the highest rank in Goju-Ryu karate, 10th dan.
4.
Morio Higaonna was born on December 25,1938, in Naha, Okinawa.
5.
Morio Higaonna began studying Shorin-ryu karate at the age of 14 with his father and then with his friend Tsunetaka Shimabukuro.
6.
At the time, Eiichi Miyazato was the head of the dojo, but Morio Higaonna was taught by An'ichi Miyagi, whom Morio Higaonna recognizes as his first and main instructor in the Goju-ryu system.
7.
When Miyazato opened the new Jundokan dojo in 1957, Morio Higaonna followed An'ichi Miyagi over and began training there.
8.
Morio Higaonna was invited to teach at Tokyo's Yoyogi dojo, where he attracted a large following.
9.
Morio Higaonna was awarded the rank of 5th Dan in April 1966.
10.
In May 1968, Morio Higaonna accepted an invitation by the YMCA and traveled to Spokane in the US to conduct a series of demonstrations and lectures on the subject of karate.
11.
On 10 October 1970, Morio Higaonna was invited to represent Okinawan Goju-Ryu Karate-do at a special demonstration, during the first World Karate Tournament organized by the World Union Karate Organization.
12.
Morio Higaonna received a special letter of appreciation from WUKO for his demonstration.
13.
Morio Higaonna was invited to demonstrate at the Third World Karate Tournament organized by WUKO in 1972.
14.
Once again Morio Higaonna received a special letter of appreciation from the organizers.
15.
In May 1975, Morio Higaonna accepted an invitation by the French Karate Association to conduct a teaching tour in France for younger practitioners as well as for Yudansha practitioners.
16.
In 1977, Morio Higaonna was invited to teach in France by the French Karate Association.
17.
In July 1979, Morio Higaonna founded the International Okinawan Goju-Ryu Karate-do Federation in Poole, England.
18.
Morio Higaonna was 7th Dan at the time, through Eiichi Miyazato.
19.
Morio Higaonna himself sought out and received permission from the Miyagi family for the use of the Miyagi family crest in the IOGKF logo.
20.
In 1980, Morio Higaonna married Alanna Stevens and their son Seigi Eric was born in November 1981.
21.
In 1980, the Japanese Government invited Morio Higaonna to give a special demonstration during the official state reception ceremony held in honor of the President of Mexico's state visit to Japan.
22.
In 1982, Morio Higaonna Sensei founded his own dojo in his own home in Naha, Okinawa.
23.
On 29 May 1984, Morio Higaonna received his 8th dan and 9th dan promotions from Yuchoku Higa.
24.
In September 1987, Morio Higaonna Sensei established the IOGKF Honbu Dojo in San Marcos, California, USA.
25.
In September 1987, Morio Higaonna moved with his family to Southern California to establish a new dojo.
26.
In 2004, Morio Higaonna was a member of the Okinawan Karate-do and Kobudo Encyclopedia Committee.
27.
On 8 June 1990, Morio Higaonna was invited to conduct a Budo Demonstration in New York in the UN headquarters.
28.
On 24 August 1990, Morio Higaonna conducted a master's-level demonstration during the First World Okinawan Karate and Kobudo Festival.
29.
On 18 October 1991, the IOGKF held a Goju-Ryu Karate Technical Seminar and All America Tournament in Arkansas in the US, with Morio Higaonna Sensei presiding over the event as the Chief Instructor and lecturer.
30.
Morio Higaonna Sensei was awarded a commendation by the Governor of Arkansas, Mr Bill Clinton.
31.
In 1995, Morio Higaonna Sensei became the karate and unarmed combat instructor of the Kremlin Guard, the Police Forces and the Secret Police Forces of the Russian Federation.
32.
In 2009, Morio Higaonna took part in a CBBC show called Hai Karate Journey to Japan where four children and one of their parents from the UK went to Japan to learn karate, and had three weeks to gain their first rank promotion, to yellow belt.
33.
In July 2012 in Okinawa, in order to free up time working to have Karate recognized by UNESCO as Intangible Cultural Heritage, Morio Higaonna Sensei stepped in to the position of "Saiko Shihan".
34.
On 8 May 2013, the Okinawan Government presented Morio Higaonna with an award and title recognizing him as an Intangible Cultural Treasure of Okinawa, a recognition of his many years of dedication and preservation of Goju-ryu Karate, which itself was an important part of the Okinawan culture and history.
35.
In December 2018, in recognition to his services to traditional Okinawa Goju Ryu Karate Morio Higaonna received a formal invitation to the Japanese Emperor's 30th Anniversary from the Prime of Japan, Abe Shinzo.
36.
Morio Higaonna remains actively involved in spreading Okinawan Goju Ryu to any and all at his TOGKF Honbu dojo, in Tsuboya, Naha, Okinawa.
37.
In 2022, Morio Higaonna left the IOGKF, the organization he had founded and announced he would be starting a new organization called the Traditional Okinawan Goju Ryu Karate-do Federation.