Tribute

Dai Sensei Meitetsu Yagi

Born: January 1, 1949

Passed : June 26, 2024

One year has passed since Dai Sensei Meitetsu Yagi left this world, yet his spirit and teachings remain deeply woven into the fabric of our lives and our practice.

As the heir to the Meibukan Goju Ryu tradition, Dai Sensei Meitetsu Yagi embodied the true spirit of Karate-do — humility, strength, discipline, and compassion. His dedication to preserving and transmitting the essence of Meibukan Goju Ryu not only shaped generations of martial artists, but also inspired countless individuals to walk the path of personal growth, respect, and harmony.

To his students and all who knew him, he was not just a master, but a guide, a mentor, and a symbol of unwavering integrity. His legacy continues every time we bow at the dojo entrance, every time we breathe mindfully through Sanchin, and every time we strive to live with honor — both on and off the mat.

Today, we do not simply mourn his absence; we celebrate his life, his teachings, and the path he carved for all of us. May his soul rest in peace, and may we continue to uphold the values he lived by with sincerity and devotion.

Forever in our hearts — Dia Sensei Meitetsu Yagi.
Gone, but never forgotten.

Dai Sensei Meitetsu Yagi Memorial

July 2, 2025

Dai Sensei Meitetsu Yagi a Legend in Meibukan Goju-Ryu Karate

The main purpose of the practice of Meibukan Goju-ryu karate is to follow the path of the Budo. This is karate-do This means to follow a path of continual personal improvement, to become a better person through karate. This path can sometimes include sport and combat, but at the same time is much larger and deeper. It is also more than a curriculum since any good teacher can teach techniques of karate. Karate-do is about how to be a good person and to have manners. Without learning, understanding and practising protocol and etiquette a karate-ka cannot be considered a Budo-ka and instead risks being a bully. With this in mind the harder we train the better we become compassion. The path of Budo goes further since it is a means to improve one’s character. It is not an easy path and at the point when most people want to quit karate, so the crossroads for the Budo-ka appears.

London Karate Club Memorial Shrine to Dai Sensei Meitetsu Yagi

Richard Fall Hanshi – Overseas President of Meibukan Yagi Dojo

 

“Meibukan  Gojo-ryu is more than putting on my belt and gi. It is a responsibility to my students, and to myself.”

 

“My Loyality to him and his son Ippei Sensei, is unbreakable. I will train with them until my last breath.. I remember the first time  I met Dai Sensei, I thought the same feeling of how import his family is and how proud Dai Sensei Meitetsu Yagi and Dai Sensei Meitoku Yagi are to share this style of Meibukan Goju-ryu.”

 

Sensei Richard Fall