Goju - Ryu Uchiage - Kai Karate - Do, founded by Kenzo Uchiage, with roots that can be traced back to Master Chojun Miyagi himself, has members all over the world, is a member of the All Japan Karate - Do Federation Goju - Kai, JKF, has schools in N. America, S. America, Europe, Africa, Asia and the Indian Ocean, and is currently lead by Takeshi Uchiage.

Hanshi Kenzo Uchiage (1920 - 2003)

· J.K.F. (Japan Karate-Do Federation) 9th Dan (highest Dan)
· Goju-Ryu Karate-Do 9th Dan
· One of two people who received 5th Dan from Master Chojun Miyagi, which was the highest Dan given by Miyagi Sensei in Japan including Okinawa.

For over 400 years, Kenzo Uchiage's ancestors, the "Imata" family ruled five separate villages of the Kawachi district of Osaka province, Kenzo's father, Naojiro Imata was born as the oldest son and heir to the Imata family but when he was a young boy, both of his parents died and he was adopted by the Uchiage family and became Naojiro Uchiage.

Naojiro's oldest child, Kenzo Uchiage was born in 1920. He was a very strong young boy with an aptitude for sports. His interest in Martial Arts began with Judo and Sumo. While in high school(Imamiya high school), he got 3rd Dan Judo, and he achieved 2nd place in the All Japan High School Sumo Championships and was asked to pursue a career as a professional Sumo wrestler by Grand Yokozuna Champion "Tamanishiki" Instead in 1937 he decided to go to Ritsumeikan University in Kyoto to study law.

Kenzo joined a Karate club at the university coached by Goju-Ryu founder, Master Chojun Miyagi. He quickly became one of Master Miyagi's best students.

He studied Karate for four years under Master Miyagi's instruction and in his fourth year he was chosen to be the Ritsumeikan University team captain. (Mr. Shozo Ujita, former J.K.F. Vice-President and President of the J.K.F. Goju-Kai was captain of the Ritsumeikan team one year ahead of Mr. K. Uchiage)

Mr. Kenzo Uchiage served in the Japanese Imperial Army from 1941 to 1945 where he was an officer in charge of an airforce ground crew. After his discharge he returned to Ritsumeikan University to finish his Law studies and to once again become active in the Karate club. He coached at the University for two years then built his own dojo next his house on his estate in Osaka.

In the 1950's and 1960's there were three very strong Goju-Ryu instructors: Mr. S. Ujita, Mr. K. Uchiage, and Mr.T.Kizaki, They choose Mr.G. Yamaguchi, an older student, to assist them as their coach and to travel around and compete against other Karate club.

In those days, they fought by "knock out system"--the winner being the one left standing, They were very successful and it is largely due to this success that Goju-Ryu Karate earned the respect and reputation that it still has today, (Now there are over 800,000 members world wide).

Mr. Kenzo Uchiage has spent over 60 years studying and teaching Master Miyagi's Goju-Ryu Karate. He was a director of the All Japan National Team that entered the 4th W.U.K.O. World Championships, He is the highest for all J.K.F. Karate styles. He was elected to the Nippon Budokan Budo Koroh-Sho (Japan Martial Arts Award), the only individual from Karate in 1987.

We are very fortunate here in Richmond that: Kenzo Uchiage's youngest child, Takeshi Uchiage, who is now the chairman of the J.K.F. Pan American Goju-Kai, lives and teaches here in Steveston. He has also been chosen by Naojiro's descendants to become the heir to his grandfather's original "Imata" name.

The J.K.F. Goju-Kai Kata Standardization Committee was formed from Mast Chojun Miyagi's remaining students and they have decided how these original Goju Ryu Katas should be done. These are now the standard for the J.K.F. and the World Union of Karate Organizations. (W.U.K.O. new name is W.K.F.)