I.M.G.K.A. History

In 605, "Ryukyu" first appears in the Chinese annals.

In 1187, King Shunten takes the throne.

In 1260, Coronation of King Eiso. Zenkan builds Gokuraku Temple.

In 1296, Mongols attack Okinawa Island.

In 1350, King Satto takes the throne.

In 1372, King Satto sends first envoys to Ming China.

In 1392, first students sent to Ming China to study. 36 families from China immigrate to Kume village in Naha, Okinawa. Chinese Boxing is practiced.

In 1441, Ryukyu supposedly granted to Shimazu Tadakuni by Askikaga Yoshinori.

In 1458, Conflict between Gosamaru and Amawari.

In 1467, Grand Library presented by the King of Korea.

In 1477, the three kingdoms of Okinawa are unified, and the ruler King Sho Shin bans the use of weapons in all of Okinawa. Devolopment of unarmed combat skyrockets...

In 1500, Oyake Akahachi uprising.

In 1531, First volume of the Omoroshoshi complied.

In 1589, An embassy from Ryukyu received by Hideyoshi at Kyoto

In 1591, Hideyoshi sends troops to Korea; levies on Ryukyu for assitance.

In 1605, Noguni Soukan introduces the sweet potato from China.

In 1609, the Satsuma clan of Japan invaded Okinawa (Ryukyu Kingdom).

In 1623, Shinjo Gima introduces sugar refining.

In 1650, Sho Shokenn (Choshu Haneji) publishes Chuzan Seikan (History of Ryukyu).

In 1713, "Origins and History of the Ryukyu Kingdom" published.

In 1719, First Performance of Tamagusku Chokun's "Kumiodori."

In 1734, Saion publishes the Farmer's Manual

In 1853, Commodore Perry's Black Ships call Naha.

In 1872, Ryukyu Kingdom becomes Ryukyu Han (fiefdom).

In 1879, abolition of fiefs; creation of Okinawa Prefecture.

In 1888, Grand Master Sensei Chojun Miyagi is born. He is the founder of Gojyu-Ryu.

In 1904, Abolition of land allocation system; establishment of private land ownership

In 1909, First Prefectural Assembly election.

In 1912, Dai Sensei Meitoku Yagi is born. He is currently the highest ranked individual in the style. First election of lower house Diet members.

In 1926, Kazuro Hirozu's The Wandering Ryukyuans provokes uproar

In 1930, Chojun Miyagi names the style.

In 1940, Controversy over use of Okinawa Prefecture.

In 1945, U.S. Forces land on Okinawa Island. Organized resistance of Japanese forces ends on June 23.

In 1946, General Mac Arthur separates the administration of Japan and the Southwest Island chain.

In 1951, The San Francisco Peace Treaty between Japan and the United States provides for continued American control of Okinawa and Amami.

In 1952, Establishment of the Government of the Ryukyus. Sensei Meitoku Yagi was given permission to open a Dojo. He is the only student of Sensei Chojun Miyagi to be allowed to, as Sensei Chojun Miyagi dies on October 8th, 1953.

In 1963, the family of Sensei Chojun Miyagi officially appoints Sensei Meitoku Yagi as successor of Okinawan Gojyu-Ryu. Dai Sensei is given his Masters Gi and Obi.

In 1969, Joint U.S. Japan announcement of Okianawa's reversion to Japan.

In 1970, Koza Riots.

In 1972, May 15 - Reversion to Japan.

In 1973, Special National Athletic Meet (Wakantsu Kokutai) held to commemorate Reversion.

In 1975, The Okinawa International Ocean Exposition held to commemorate Reversion (July 20, 1975 to Januray 18, 1976)

In 1978, July 30: traffic changed to left-lane driving.

From 1987 to 1991, all of the Meibu-ken katas are created and introduced. Okinawa holds the 42nd National Athletic Meet (Kaihou Kokutai) in 1987.

In 1992, Shurijo Castle Park is opened on November 3. Dai Sensei does a demonstration at the opening.

In 1993, The 44th National Treet Planting Ceremony (April 25) is held in Okinawa.

In 1995, The Cornerstone of Peace erected in memory pf those lost on both sides in the Battle of Okinawa.

In 1996, Dai Sensei celebrates his 85th birthday.

1998 was the 110th anniversary of the birth of Gojyu-ryu founder Sensei Chojun Miyagi.

2000 Kyushu-Okinawa G8 Summit. Dai Sensei demonstrates for the G8 World Leaders.

On Febuary 7th, 2003, Master Meitoku Yagi passes away. Okinawa hosts the 3rd Pacific Islands Summmit.

HISTORY