The IOGKF was formed in Poole, England in 1979, at the first ever IOGKF International Gasshuku. In the opening address it was said “Since the death of our founder, Chojun Miyagi Sensei, Goju-Ryu has spread internationally and through modern trends many of its original ideas have become lost. It is our purpose through the advisers in Okinawa to re-establish traditional Okinawan Goju-Ryu on the foundations laid down by Chojun Miyagi Sensei so many years ago”.

Since then the IOGKF has grown into a successful international organisation, which continues to protect and preserve traditional Okinawan Goju-Ryu Karate-Do as an intangible cultural treasure in its original form as passed on by Chojun Miyagi.

The IOGKF was being formed with the support and backing of Ken Miyagi (fourth son of Chojun Miyagi), An´ichi Miyagi and senior students of the late Chojun Miyagi: Seiko Kina, Seijin Nakamoto, Kiei Tomoyose, Shunshin Furugen, Jitsuei Yogi, and Shuichi Aragaki.

Since its formation, IOGKF teachings have been spread around the world, and the IOGKF now has more than 50 affiliated countries worldwide. Every year gasshuku (training seminars) are held in various countries to ensure the transmission of correct techniques and to promote friendship and exchange between members.

The IOGKF is one of the few karate organizations that the Japanese Government recognizes as a true Japanese traditional martial arts organization. The IOGKF is a proud member of the Nihon Kobudo Kyokai (Japan Traditional Martial Arts Association).

Today the IOGKF is as dedicated to its original purpose as it was in 1979. The IOGKF represents the philosophy of Goju-Ryu founder, Chojun Miyagi Sensei, and with this in mind, Nakamura Sensei reminds us that it is important to dedicate ourselves to the further improvement and development of Goju-Ryu karate through diligent training, so that we may come to understand the very essence of our art.

Nakamura Sensei is the chief Instructor of the IOGKF.

The IOGKF Administrative Honbu (headquarters) is in Oakville, Ontario, Canada.

Our own EGKA Chief Instructor, Sensei Ernie Molyneux, continues to work alongside Nakamura Sensei by sitting on the IOGKF Executive Committee.