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About Meibukan
Meibukan is a branch of Goju-Ryu Karate. It was created by Meitoku Yagi, a student of Goju-Ryu founder, Chojun Miyagi. Meibukan means ‘ House of the pure minded warrior” It consists of natural movements that are very fast and practical techniques which are aimed at the body’s weak points. The Meibukan curriculum consists of five fighting katas, four of which are named after the animals represented in the annual Nah Matsuri of Festival of Rope. Meitoku Yagi opened the first Meibukan Dojo in 1952. He was the first student of Chojun Miyagi recorded to be given permission
Meibukan Legacy
Dai Sensei Meitetsu Yagi
Dai Sensei Meitetsu Yagi was born on January 1, 1949 and has passed last year June 26, 2024.
He began karate at the age of 6 with Meitoku Yagi Dai Sensei. At age 16, he was awarded a Shodan in karate and judo. Since earning his black belt he made it his moral and personal duty never to engage in a fist fight. Training was tough in his younger days and he often reminisces about the powerful Sanchin training of Yusin Tamaki (Dai Sensei’s senior student) at the time. Although difficult and challenging over the years he has come to appreciate being born a Yagi.
“I hope that those who know me understand the intense respect I have for my father and the obligation and commitment I have to maintaining the standards of Meibukan Goju-Ryu Karate as taught by him”
Meitoku Yagi Dai Sensei
Meitoku Yagi Dai Sensei was born March 6, 1912 in Kume-Machi, Naha City. He began training at age 13, under Chojun Miyagi. By the age of 16 Meitoku Yagi Dai Sensei had gained Chojun Miyagi’s attention. Until the age of 18, Meitoku Yagi Dai Sensei focused on training Sanchin, Sanseru, Seisan and Seipai Katas. Chojun Miyagi only taught these 4 katas to his students. At the age of 18 Meitoku Yagi Dai Sensei began to receive more specifiic kata training from Chojun Miyagi, and was taught all the katas. Meitoku Yagi Dai Sensei developed into one of Chojun Miyagi’s most knowledgeable students and a respected teacher in the dojo.
In 1974, Meitoku Yagi Dai Sensei created the first 2 Meibukan Kata: Fu-Kyu Ichi kata and Fu-Kyu Ni Kata (later combined and renamed Tenchi No Kata. Meaning heaven-earth). 4 additional katas were later developed and introduced: Seiryu (Blue Dragon-1980’s), Byakko (White Tiger-1988), Shuijakku (Red Sparrow-1990) and Genbu (Black Turtle/Mystical Warrior-1990’s).
Ippei Yagi Sensei
Ippei Yagi Sensei was born on December 15 1977. Ippei Yagi Sensei’s talent for athletics was recognized at an early age and by age 5 he started his journey in Karate at his father’s Nagata Dojo.
At 14 years of age, Ippei Yagi Sensei became the youngest Shodan of the Nagata Dojo. His karate training earned him a scholarship at the Konana High School where he became captain of Konana High School Karate Team. As a young adult his athletic talent would derive him to become the first Okinawan to be accepted for Karate by the Sendai Daigaku, a University for specializing in sports Located in Miyagi Perfectre.
In 2009, Ippei Yagi Sensei announced his admiration of the purity that exists in Meitoku Yagi Dai Sensei’s Karate and pledged to follow Meitoku Yagi Dai Sensei’s path for all of his life.
It took many people hundreds of hours of work, and lots of love, to make this template and tutorial possible.
Crest
The Meibukan Goju-Ryu crest is to be worn by students who study Meibukan Goju-Ryu. Each Meibukan Karate-ka should be aware of its deep meaning and significance.
The Crest is designed by Meitoku Yagi Dai Sensei.
The Kanji “Mei combined with the Kanji “hi” and tsuke.
Reading the two together as “hi to tsuki” (sun and moon) can also be interpreted as “one punch” (ichigeki hissatsu). It emphasizes the mindset that every strike must be delivered with clarity and full commitment—as if it could be the single decisive blow. The Kanji is surrounded by a circle of purple. the family/district colour.
The crest isn’t merely decorative—it encapsulates Meibukan’s core philosophies: balance, clarity of intention, mindful presence, and the discipline to both resolve and adapt.
Meibukan means “House of the Pure‑Minded Warrior.” Founded by Meitoku Yagi in 1952, it’s a recognized branch of Gōjū-ryū.
Chojun Miyagi
Chojun Miyagi is the father of Goju-Ryu Karate. Grand Master Chojun Miyage was born April 15, 1888 in Higashi-machi, Naha city.
Chojun Miyagi was introduced to Kenryo Higashionna in 1902 and remained his student until his master’s passing in December of 1916.
Chojun Miyagi was regarded as the successor of Higashionna. This despite the fact that he was neither the eldest nor most senior student. However, Chojun Miyagi had such prominent status among the teachers of Te that he was regarded as the expert and successor.
Meitoku Yagi Dai Sensei began his training at the age of 13 years old, under Chojun Miyagi. By the age of 16, Meitoku Yagi Dai Sensei had gained Chojun Miyagi attention.
Dai Sensei Meitetsu Yagi
Life Philosophy
“…Karate-ka have to be careful of their behaviour. Never break a promise. If we keep a promise to each other, we don’t need to make laws. Never make trouble with other. Be kind to others and be strict to yourselves. ”
– Dai Sensei Meitoku Yagi- Hansh 10th Dan –
Feature One
Dai Sensei Meitetsu Yagi
Feature Two
Ippei Yagi Sensei
Feature Three
Meitoku Yagi Dai Sensei
Karate-do is my life. I have been training in a karate dojo since I was six years old and have grown up through karate training. There are many reasons why a person should learn Karate. Karate provides a way of discipline for young students and at the same time provides the health benefits that come with physical exercise. Personal wealth is given importance in today’s society but more focus should be given to personal health as part of our total well-being. The practice of karate fosters confidence in everyone who trains from the heart. Practising Karate in this way will also foster inner, personal development thus helping society in the process. Motivation can be difficult at times but fell good knowing that by training you can relieve stress and forget your troubles.
-Dai Sensei Meitetsu Yagi
Katas
Kata Brought to Okinawa from Okinawa
Kanryo Higashionna Sensei
SANCHIN
SAIFA
SHISOCHIN
SANSEIRU
SEISAN
SEIENCHIN
SEIPAI
KURURUNFA
SUPARINPE
Kata developed by
Chojun Miyagi Sensei
GEKI SAI ICHI
GEKI SAI NI
TENSHIO
Kata developed by
Meitoku Yagi Sensei
TENCHI
SEIRYU
BIAKKO
SHIUJAKKU
GENBU
Kata Developed By Meitetsu Yagi
JI ZAI KEN
JI ZAI BO
Dai Sensei
How a Karate-ka Should Train
“At the Meibukan Hombu Dojo, I encourage focus and discipline coupled with respect and love. I look for more then technique. I look for passion. Techinques are important but equally important is the heart and effort that one puts into his or her karate. Karate-do is still regarded at the Hombu Dojo, at it’s most basic level- as a form of deadly combat. It is not a dance. When we practice Karate-do, we must remind ourselves of its fighting heritage and be humbled by it’s deadly potential. These words are from Dai Sensei Meitetsu Yagi
Students of the Meibukan Hombu Dojo, are expected to train with the intention of performing with military-like precision and reflexes, We exercise our heart, mind and body to create a harmony and to meet the expectations of Budo. Practice your Kata hard and believe in yourself. If you are a good person, it will show in your Kata.
Ippei Yagi Sensei
As instructors, we must strive to be “teachers of teachers” and inspire our students to become excellent teachers and practitioners, not just excellent athletes. We should share the knowledge with out students as it is our responsibility to help them grow. Remember the beginner’s mind and recall the first day when you entered a dojo. Teach and exercise patience.
WE ARE ALWAYS LEARNING
– A Note from Dai Sensei Meitetsu Yagi
Be Hard on yourself and soft and kind to others.
Contribute to the world….. This is Meibukan.
Dai Sensei Meitetsu Yagi