Master Yamaguchi was born Jitsumi Yamaguchi on January 21, 1909 in Kagashima City, Japan. In his early school days, Master Yamaguchi showed great interest in the martial arts and began training in Kendo (a sword art). In his early teens he began studying Goju Ryu karate with Takeo Maruta, a carpenter from Okinawa and student of Chojun Miyagi.
Yamaguchi Sensei established his first karate Dojo at Ritsumeikan University in Kyoto, Japan. This dojo was known for its hard training and demanding breathing exercises. In the early training days karatekas practiced only kata and Yakusoku kumite (prearranged sparring). Around 1929, Yamaguchi Sensei created Jiyu Kumite (Free fighting) and established set rules to determine the winner of a match. It was this innovation that was the forerunner of competition fighting that we see today in sport karate.
The same year, Yamaguchi Sensei (who was in his early twenties) was introduced to Master Chojun Miyagi, while the latter was on one of his many teaching trips to Japan. This meeting would prove to have a profound effect on Yamaguchi Sensei’s outlook on karate. Yamaguchi Sensei studied with Master Miyagi for a short period. During this time Master Miyagi developed an admiration and respect for Yamaguchi Sensei observing his mastery of the hard aspect of his Goju system.
In Japanese culture, it is customary for a person to be presented with another name when they have reached a certain age and developed a profession. For this reason Master Miyagi bestowed the name “Gogen” on Yamaguchi Sensei. In following with this tradition, Yamaguchi Sensei presented his three sons and his daughter with their professional names. His oldest son Norimi was named Gosei, Kishio was named Gosen, Hirofuma was named Goshi and his daughter Wakako was named Gokyuku. Yamaguchi Sensei had a second daughter named Makkiko who passed away early in life.
After Master Miyagi’s returned to Okinawa, Yamaguchi Sensei was authorized to teach Goju Ryu in mainland Japan. For several years after, Yamaguchi Sensei dedicated much of his training to yoga and Shinto Religion. Many long stays in isolation he would subject himself to “Tamashiwari”, the test of spirit. This is a personal trial to expand the personal limits of an individual while at the same time creating a new sense of focus on life and the martial arts. Yamaguchi Sensei would do this through extensive Sanchin practice; at times under an icy waterfall in winter, as well as meditation and fasting.
Throughout the late 1930′s Master Yamaguchi’s karate began to expand and it was during this period that he received the nickname ” The Cat”. The nickname came about because of his grace and agility in his techniques and though he had a stocky build, he moved with the speed and ferociousness of a tiger.
While serving in the armed forces in World War II, Master Yamaguchi was captured and sent to a labour camp. While many perished around him, it was Yamaguchi’s indomitable karate spirit that kept him alive for the many months that he was held captive.
In 1948, Master Yamaguchi established his Dojo in the basement of an old building in the Aeon district of Japan, which was possibly the worst area of Japan. Yamaguchi Sensei did this to avoid detection because at the time, the U.S. Occupational Force ban prohibited the practice of karate. The training at the Dojo was harsh and demanding but those that persisted were to gain a wealth of knowledge learning from Master Yamaguchi.
In 1950, Master Yamaguchi established the All Japan Karate-Do Goju Kai. In 1953 when Master Chojun Miyagi passed away, Meitoku Yagi Sensei became the head of Goju in Okinawa and Gogen Yamaguchi Sensei became the head of Goju in Japan.
To further expand his knowledge Master Yamaguchi studied Shinto with Reverend Ptotic Yoshimura (Chief Reverend of the Shin-She sect of Shinto) eventually becoming a Shinto priest. He also studied yoga under Tang Nod, said to be Japan’s Highest Authority, eventually becoming familiar with many types of yoga. Master Yamaguchi eventually combined the Goju Style with Shinto, yoga and Zen to formulate his own system of Goju Shinto. This particular system was very important and personal to Master Yamaguchi but a vast majority of Goju Kai practionners do not practice the yoga and Shinto aspect of the art.
On May 20, 1989 Master Yamaguchi passed away at his home in Japan. In 1990 Goshi Yamaguchi became president of the All Japan Karate–do Goju Kai Association and International karate–do Goju Kai Assocation. Gokyuku continues to teach in Japan with her brother Goshi. Gosei Yamaguchi continues to expand the art in the United States. Gosen Yamaguchi has passed away.