1st Souke, Grand Master, Dai Sensei 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.
2nd Souke, Master Meitatsu Yagi Sensei
Master Meitatsu Yagi, 10th Dan is the eldest son of the late Grand Master Dai Sensei Meitoku Yagi founder and 1st Souke of Meibukan Gojyu-Ryu. Master Meitatsu Yagi began his training under his father in 1949 at the age of five years old, he didn’t read books or watch training videos to gain his expertise in Karate. He was being tutored directly by Dai Sensei Meitoku Yagi. By training under his only teacher, his father, for over fifty years, he was groomed and trained to carry on the legacy of Meibukan Gojyu-Ryu Karate. One of Master Meitatsu Yagi’s goals has been to spread Meibukan Gojyu-Ryu Karate throughout the world whenever possible.
This being said, Master Meitatsu Yagi has lived, worked, initiated new dojos and taught Meibukan Gojyu-Ryu outside of Okinawa and around the world. Master Meitatsu Yagi lived in the US from 1964 to 1970; in Guam 1971 to 1975; in Saipan 1995 to 1997 and in the Philippines 1997 to 1998.
After returning from Guam in 1975, Master Meitatsu Yagi was given the title of Renshi 6th Dan and became a Director of All Okinawan Karate-Do Association in 1976. Also, in 1976, he was
given the teaching responsibilities at the Hombu Dojo in Okinawa as President of Gojyu-Ryu Meibu-kai.
Master Meitatsu Yagi was also a director of the All Okinawa Karate-Do Gojyu-Kai for 20 years. He also served a two-year term as President of the Okinawan Karate-Do Gojyu-Kai in 1987 as well as President of the Hombu Dojo in Kume.
At this time Master Meitatsu Yagi is the also the President of the Okinawan Karate Kobudo Association and was recently voted in for a second term.
Master Meitatsu Yagi is also a founding member of The Okinawan Traditional Karate Do Kobudo International Study Centre, located in Yomitan, Okinawa, and the author of the book “The
Importance of Spiritual Karate.”
A little-known fact is when Master Meitatsu Yagi was teaching and spreading Meibukan in Guam, he worked at a watch store and has extensive knowledge and a fondness of watches. Master
Meitatsu Yagi is also an accomplished singer and sings Karaoke once a week. One of his favorite cuisines is Chinese food.
While Master Meitatsu Yagi, now fulfills more of an advisory role with the association, he still occasionally travels to teach seminars around the world and is the first to greet those at the airport who travel to the Hombu dojo to train.
Master Meitatsu Yagi, was honored on July 24, 2026 by the Okinawan Prefecture at the Karate Kaiken and received the award of being a “Designated Prefectural Intangible Cultural Property Holder”. Master Yagi has also been awarded the Higashikuninomiya Cultural Award and the Commemorative Award and Peace Award in 2026.
Master Meitatsu Yagi continues to resides in the Hombu dojo in Kume Village, Naha, Okinawa with his wife Noriko-san and enjoys his time with his grandchildren and singing.
3rd Souke, 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.