HISTORY

Goju-Ryu Karate-Do Tasmania operates under the control of Goju-Ryu Karate Mission International, which is based in Sydney. This is under the direct control of Hanshi Watanabe.

Through our chief instructor, we are also affiliated with the World Karate Federation (WKF), the Japan Karate-Do Federation (JKF) and the Japan Goju-Ryu Karate-Do Federation.

Goju-Ryu Karate-Do Tasmania is a member of the Australian Karate Federation (AKF) and Australian Karate Federation Tasmania (AKFTas).

Incorporation

Kenshu Hideo Watanabe

Head instructor of the Goju-Ryu Karate-Do International Mission.

Born in Tokyo, Japan in July 1946, Kenshu Hideo Watanabe started training and competing in local Junior sumo competitions between the ages of 8 to 13. At the age of 15 he seriously began his study and training of Budo (Martial Path) and has been continuously studying and training ever since.

In April 1962 at the age of 15, Kenshu Watanabe started Judo training and in under 3 years he attained the rank of Nidan (2nd Dan) in Kodokan Judo.

In 1963, while he was also training in Judo, he was initiated into the ranks of Goju-Ryu Karate-do by Master Masashi Sudo.

In December 1964, Kenshu Watanabe was awarded Shodan (1st dan) from the Japan Goju-Ryu Karate-Do Federation by Masashi Sudo.

In 1969, he became a member of the Legendary Tokyo Karate Team (including top J.K.A. instructors such as Mr Iida, Mr Takashina, Mr Takahashi and Mr Hayakawa) and competed in the first All Japan Karate Do Championships conducted by the Japan Karate Do Federation. The results were: Tokyo A & B teams won 1st and 4th, and Mr Iida won First place in Individual Kumite. There were no kata events at this championship.

In 1972 Kenshu Watanabe left Tokyo for his new post at Seiko Time Corporation in Toronto, Canada where he stayed for just over 3 years. While in Canada he practised karate at Sensei Tsumura's Karate Dojo (Itosukai Shito Ryu) and Sensei Tsuruoka's Karate dojo (Chito Ryu and Shotokan) as a guest instructor. Kenshu Watanabe thoroughly enjoyed the training with both Sensei and students, and is still very grateful for their kindness and support.

In 1975 He was awarded the rank of Godan (5th dan) by the Japan Karate Do Federation, which at the time was one of the youngest 5th dans in the federation.

In October 1977 Kenshu Watanabe came to Sydney, Australia to work for Seiko Australia.

In 1979 he received his Bubishi Masters degree in Goju-Ryu Karate-Do from his teacher, Master Masashi Sudo.

In 1982, his Karate organisation, Shubukai was admitted into the Australian Karate Federation.

In 1983, Kenshu Watanabe resigned from Seiko Australia to become a professional Karate instructor and was also accredited to National Referee by the A.K.F.

In 1986, He was accredited by the Asian Pacific Union of Karate Do Organisations Referee council.

In March 1997, Kenshu Watanabe was awarded Hachidan (8th dan) by Master Masashi Sudo.

In December 2009, Kenshu Watanabe was awarded Kudan (9th dan) by Master Masashi Sudo.

Kenshu Watanabe's lineage can therefore be traced back through masters Masashi Sudo, Sosui Ichikawa, Kanki Izumikawa, and Seiko Higa to the founder of Goju-Ryu, Chojun Miyagi and his Master Kanro Higaonna which is defined as the Bubishi Goju-Ryu Masters Lineage.

"Do not be struck by others
Do not strike others
The principle is peace without incident"

Chōjun Miyagi

David Nejman

The Goju-Ryu Karate-Do Tasmania dojo, previously known as the Tasmanian Goju-Ryu Society, was founded in 1990 by David Nejman (born 1953 in Glasgow, Scotland).

Sensei David began studying Goju-Ryu karate in 1980 whilst living in Sydney and trained under the founder of Goju-Ryu Karate-Do Mission International, Hanshi Hideo Watanabe.

Sensei David relocated to Hobart 1986 with his wife Toni-Ann and began teaching karate at the Claremont Scout Hall.

In 1990, Sensei David received Nidan and around that time established the Tasmanian Goju-Ryu Society based at the Hobart Police and Community Youth Club on Liverpool Street.

Sensei David ran the dojo for over a decade and in the process received Sandan in 1993 and Yondan in 1999 from Hanshi Watanabe.

Some of Sensei David’s senior students included John and David Boots, Owen Johnston, Andrew Joyce, Anthony McGuinness, Jason Norris, Paolo Dandolo, Luke Parsell, and Stuart Eaton.

Goju-Ryu Lineage

Higaonna, Kanryo The Father of Goju-Ryu (10 March 1853 - December 1915)	Miyagi, Chojun The Founder of Goju-Ryu (25 April 1888 - 8 October 1953)	Higa, Seiko First recipient of the Bubishi Masters Degree (8 November 1898 - 16 April 1966)	Izumikawa, Kanki Second recipient of the Bubishi Masters Degree (16 April 1909 - 1 November 1967)
Ichikawa, Sosui Third recipient of the Bubishi Masters Degree (29 August 1924 - 6 March 2005)	Sudo, Masashi Fourth recipient of the Bubishi Masters Degree (3 April 1940 - Present)	Kenshu, Watanabe Fifth recipient of the Bubishi Masters Degree (8 July 1946 - Present)