Grand Master Meitoku Yagi
Yagi Meitoku Sensei was born on March 6th, 1912. He was a direct decendant of the original 36 families of Okinawa. He began his Karate training with Miyagi Sensei in 1926, at the age of 14. By the time of Miyagi Sensei’s death in 1953, Yagi Meitoku Sensei was the only student of Goju Ryu Karate to learn all of the kata from Miyagi Sensei.
In 1963, Miyagi Sensei’s family presented Yagi Sensei with his teacher’s gi and belt, and gave him the Menkyo Kaiden, naming him the official successor to the Gojyu Ryu Karate system. Until his death on February 7th 2003, Yagi Sensei continued to teach and enrich Goju Ryu Karate Do, creating new kata and adding weapons training to the school.
Master Meitatsu Yagi, Sensei
Until very recently Goju Ryu Karate Do was presided over by Yagi Meitatsu Sensei, the oldest son of Yagi Meitoku Sensei. He began his Karate training in 1949 at the age of 5, and trained under his father for over 50 years.
Yagi Meitatsu Sensei travelled the world to teach Meibukan Karate Do practicioners, including visits to Canada, the United States, India, Israel, Italy, England, France, Czech Rep, Slovenia and South America. He is also a founding member of The Okinawan Traditional Karate Do Kobudo International Study Center, located in Yomitan, Okinawa. Here, martial arts students have a chance to practice Karate Do in the place of it’s birth.
Yagi Meitatsu Sensei’s two sons, Akihito Yagi Sensei, Akihiro Yagi Sensei, are now Chairman and Vice Chairman of IMGKA.
Hanshi Akihito Yagi, Sensei
Akihito Yagi, Hanshi, 10th Dan, was promoted to 3rd Souke of the Yagi family on July 25, 2026, is the oldest son of 2nd Souke Meitatsu Yagi Sensei. He began training in Karate at the age of three. First under his grandfather, and then later under his father. He is the current President of the IMGKA.
Continuing the work begun by his father, Hanshi Akihito Yagi travels all over the world to teach seminars on traditional Meibukan Gojyu-Ryu Karate. He has a teaching style that reflects his affection for others, growing and learning together.
Alongside his father, Hanshi Akihito Yagi is the current General Secretary of the Okinawa Karate Kobudo Association and has recently been voted into a second term with this organization.
Hanshi Akihito Yagi has been assisting promoting tourism in Japan and has been working with both Japan Tourism on various projects promoting Okinawa and Japan around the world.
Hanshi Akihito Yagi is not only a great martial artist but also a lover of music and all things Elvis. He has been a past spokesperson for Orion Beer as well. Of most notoriety he was one of the stars of the movie “Kuro Obi-Black Belt”, as well as the author of the children’s book “Karate Man”.
Hanshi Akihito Yagi, is married to Eri-san with 3 children and they continue to reside in his childhood home on the second floor of the Hombu dojo.
Hanshi Akihiro Yagi, Sensei
Akihiro Yagi, Hanshi 9th Dan, is the Vice President of the IMKGA. The younger son of Souke Meitatsu Yagi, he began his Karate training at the age of three. Having studied under both his grandfather and father, he is an accomplished teacher and has travelled extensively to share his knowledge of Gojyu-Ryu Karate.
Hanshi Akihiro Yagi also spent a year living and teaching Karate in Prince Edward Island (PEI), Canada.
Hanshi Akihiro Yagi has also competed in the past at the World Traditional Karate Association Championship in Italy and placed 1st in his division for kata.
Hanshi Akihiro Yagi enjoys spending time with his family and enjoys karaoke singing much like his father. Akihiro Sensei is married to Chissato-san and they have three children.