Miyagi believed that "the ultimate aim of karate-do was to build character, conquer human misery, and find spiritual freedom".
He stated that it was important to balance training for self-defense with "training the mind, or cultivating the precept karate-do ni sente nashi ('there is no first strike in karate')",he also emphasized the importance of "cultivating intellect before strength".
Miyagi chose the name Goju-ryu (" GO " meaning "hard" and " JU " meaning "soft"), to emphasize that his style integrated both "hard" and "soft" styles. Goju applies not just to karate, but to life in general; only hardness or only softness will not enable one "to deal effectively with the fluctuations of life". When blocking, "the body is soft and inhaling"; when striking, the body is "hard and exhaling.
Masters & Other Black Belts
✓ Senpai
A Shodan or Nidan black belt is generally referred as a Sampai.
A senpai is basically a senior student who also instructs the junior students
✓ Sensei
A sensei is a person who holds the degree of sandan or yondan.
A sensei also has the responsibility to hold the Dojo firmly.
A sensei must have the grasp of what is involved in teaching martial art
✓ Renshi
A godan and rokudan blackbelt is referred as Renshi
They are also referred as the "Master" and a "Polished Expert"
Renshi is usually an assistant to higher ranked black belts
✓ Shihan
A teacher of teachers: responsible for the structure and standards of styles of
those senseis under his authority Most shihan have a rank of sixth dan or above.
✓ Kyoshi
This honorary title is awarded to the shichi-dan and Hachi-dan black belt.
Kyoshi must be more than 40 years old and should have held the title of renshi
for at least 10 years. A Kyoshi is an expert instruction.
✓ Hanshi
The honorary title is awarded to kyu dan and jyu dan black belts
A hanshi must be more than 55 years old and should have held the title of Kyoshi
for at least 15 years. A hanshi is an exemplary instructor and usually the master of a system
This is the highest position attainable in Okinawan martial art
