IOGKF REMAINS UNCHANGED
- Foundation date
04 September 2022
The conflict between Sensei Morio Higaonna and Sensei Tetsuji Nakamura continues:
Happy Birthday Higaonna Sensei! Your Inspiration, Example, 'Leading the Way' through the Karate wildernis and the Legacy you are leaving behind for future generations can never, ever be 'cancelled!
Higaonna Morio Sensei‘s 9th International Budosai will be remembered as the ‘Typhoon’ Gasshuku, but more so for his demonstration of Kakie! Flexible, Goju Ryu, we adapted and did It - demonstrations at Sayonara Party. Flights cancelled, but myself and the South Africans would do it all again
Dear IOGKF members,
It is with a very heavy heart that I feel I must write this message in response to a recent letter by Higaonna Sensei, someone I have respected, admired, and followed for almost my entire adult life.
I also understand that when incidents like this happen, there are always different views depending on which side you stand.
However, whichever side you stand, facts are facts - they don’t change.
So, when it comes to false accusations and personal attacks, I will not accept it. I am writing this to clarify the facts of the past not to start an argument or a fight between brothers and sisters.
In this letter, I will only respond to the false accusations in the recent letter published on the TOGKF Website and posted on Facebook on February 20th, 2023.
I will not go into all details of what happened to our organization since last June till now. I have shared this information with country leaders through series of online meetings since last September. We are currently working on creating one detailed document for our members and this will be available shortly.
I have several areas that I wish to address:
• IOGKF, the proof of generation change
• IOGKF Constitution
• Copyright
• Trademark
• Meeting in Okinawa
IOGKF, the proof of generation change
After reading Higaonna Sensei's letter several times, I felt that the most important message that he has tried to emphasise is "I did not appoint Mr. Nakamura as my replacement, and I never relinquished any of my authority as the overall head of the IOGKF".
This is inaccurate. As you can see in the attached message, that Higaonna Sensei wrote both in Japanese and English on the pamphlet of the World Budosai 2012, that he had stepped down from his position as a chief instructor and became the Saiko Shihan, which is an advisory position to the organization.
Here are his own words, "I am stepping down from my position as the chief instructor of IOGKF. I will be watching the organization as an advisor hereafter. It is important for the development of Okinawa Goju-Ryu to trust in the next generation and pass the responsibility on to them. I believe this is the time."
His words state clearly that he will only be advising the organization after this point in time, inferring he will not be involved in the running of IOGKF organizational matters any longer. Higaonna Sensei was aware of the outcome of his decision at the time, and everybody praised Higaonna Sensei's decision as such a wise move, as many masters usually cling to their power until the end leaving their organizations fractured after the passing of their founders. Nobody would have thought that the current split in IOGKF would happen eleven years later.
IOGKF Constitution
In his message, Higaonna Sensei mentioned “I discovered that in 2012, as soon as I had appointed Mr. Nakamura and the EC members to their positions, they had drawn up a document titled the ‘IOGKF Constitution’……the new IOGKF Constitution stripped me of all decision making authority concerning IOGKF. Had I understood the full implications of this wording in 2012, I would never have agreed that Mr. Nakamura, Mr. Molyneux and Mr. Larsen should be involved in managing the IOGKF”.
However, the IOGKF constitution (previously called IOGKF rules & regulations) was not created in 2012. It was originally created by Higaonna Sensei himself many years before. He, together with his advisors, made many revisions throughout the years. I have attached a copy of IOGKF rules and regulations (revision 10) from 1997 as well as the constitution from 2012. You can see that the roles Higaonna Sensei created match the responsibilities of the roles in place today, nothing has been changed.
Since the establishment of IOGKF the role and responsibility of the World Chief Instructor (Shuseki Shihan) have never changed. The Chief Instructor has the responsibility for all technical matters and administration of the IOGKF. Supreme Master (Saiko Shihan) is an honorary position that was created by the same Higaonna Sensei for An'ichi Miyagi Sensei originally. This position is an honorary and an advisory position and there is no organizational role or responsibility.
IOGKF has been run by this new generation for over a decade during which the membership has grown and the quality of training has improved. Through all these years, we have shown utmost respect to Higaonna Sensei as a Saiko Shihan, informed and asked for his advice for any important matter, yet Higaonna Sensei was never involved in any organizational matters during this period and has never expressed any concern or doubt with the functioning of IOGKF nor has he communicated in any way that he has been unhappy with the work of the Executive Committee or myself.
Copyright
Higaonna Sensei claims that I had methodically transferred all of his copyrights and trademarks out of his name and registered them into the name of the IOGKF. However, neither IOGKF nor I ever possessed the copyrights to any of Higaonna Sensei's books. Higaonna Sensei owns the copyrights for all books that have been published. IOGKF only has publishing rights for the following Higaonna Sensei's books.
Traditional Karatedo Okinawa Goju-Ryu Vol 1-4, originally published by Minato Research and Publishing Co.,LTD. in 1985.
The original books were published in 1985. However, Higaonna Sensei never received any royalties from the publisher for the sales of these original books.
An intellectual property rights lawyer helped us to secure the publishing rights and we republished this book series in 2016.
IOGKF sent all the profit from the sales of this book to Higaonna Sensei. We have financial records to prove this. Neither IOGKF, nor I ever profited from the book sales, even though the IOGKF and volunteers had contributed hours of labour and effort to get the books printed, sold, and delivered.
If we hadn’t acquired the publishing rights, Higaonna Sensei might never have received any royalties for these books.
The History of Karate, originally published by Dragon Books, Mr. David Chambers in 1996.
In 2016, an intellectual property rights lawyer helped us to secure the publishing rights for this book. Before republishing many IOGKF members volunteered their time to edit and proofread the text, and refresh and rearrange photos and graphics. But before we could republish Sensei resigned from IOGKF and we halted the project.
In his letter, Higaonna Sensei says “I know that the documents state that I was effectively giving up my copyrights for the sole remuneration of US$10.”
This is partially correct, However Higaonna Sensei was aware that this was a mere formality required to complete the paperwork for IOGKF, so the books could be put into print again. Also, IOGKF acquired the publishing right not copyright.
IOGKF spent a lot of time and money on these projects. We did it because we wanted to support Higaonna Sensei’s work. Therefore, it was very sad to hear him saying that IOGKF stole his copyrights. IOGKF has the legal documents to prove that Higaonna Sensei retains all the copyright. I will gladly sign the legal documents to transfer also the publishing rights to Higaonna Sensei or TOGKF.
Trademark
During the time when Higaonna Sensei was a chief instructor, each country was encouraged to register the IOGKF logo in their own country for protection. However, there are legal and registration costs for trademark registration. As a result, not many countries ended up registering the logo. Trademark law is very complex. There are many different categories of trademark registration.
As IOGKF continues to grow bigger, we have seen many examples of the logo being misused by third parties. There were also issues when individual members who had registered the logo under their name left the IOGKF.
When very convincing fake copies of the IOGKF grading certificates, using the IOGKF logo, hit the online market, we sought legal advice. A global trademark was the recommendation.
IOGKF office asked countries that have their own registration to sign a document to transfer the right to IOGKF international, this included Japan where the logo was registered under Higaonna Sensei’s name. I explained our intention to Higaonna Sensei in Japanese, he understood the need for what we were doing, and he signed the document with his registered stamp.
The IOGKF logo is the property of IOGKF and its members. It is our duty to protect the logo for future generations.
Meeting in Okinawa
Regarding the meeting in Okinawa, Higaonna Sensei said “The meeting ended and Mr. Nakamura and the three EC members all stood up and walked out of Honbu Dojo, without bowing to Shomen. This was the most hurtful thing to experience, even behavior showed complete disrespect for the dojo and for the founding fathers of Okinawa Goju-Ryu, as well as a total lack of understanding for what the martial arts are all about. If their intention was to make the point that they do not recognize me as having any authority over the IOGKF or them, then made their point clearly. The disrespectful way they acted in leaving the dojo is not acceptable behavior within traditional karate.”
This comment was clearly made simply to cause diversion and it is completely inaccurate.
At the meeting in Okinawa, Higaonna Sensei insisted that he wanted to return as World Chief Instructor. Our proposal was that we want Higaonna Sensei to come back to the position of Saiko Shihan where he was successfully in last 11 years.
We concluded that we couldn’t reach to the agreement. Then, we each stood up, bowed to Higaonna Sensei, and thanked him. As we left the Dojo, all of us bowed to shomen as is tradition. Some of our instructors have trained for over 50 years – longer than IOGKF itself. This practice is engrained in all of us. It is as much a habit as it is a choice. We will always show respect to those who came before us.
Finally, I note that Higaonna Sensei has declared that the Executive Committee members and I are no longer his students. I am sorry to read this statement. I moved countries and my home several times in my adult life to follow Higaonna Sensei and served him with utmost loyalty and respect. I am very hurt to see what has become of our relationship. I dedicated my life to him and to our common project.
I have always told my students that Higaonna Sensei is the best karate master on the planet, and my view remains the same. I am grateful for all his teaching during the past 30 + years.
I wish Higaonna Sensei good health and success. I also wish TOGKF members all the best in their training and martial arts journey.
IOGKF members and I are committed to getting on with our original goals and objectives of our organization since its establishment in 1979 respectfully and professionally.
Respectfully yours,
Tetsuji Nakamura
IOGKF
On Saturday 28 October 2022, Higaonna Sensei held the very first meeting of his new organization the Traditional Okinawan Goju Ryu Karate do Federation (TOGKF).
In attendance from (right to left) were Higaonna Hiroshi (Higaonna Sensei's younger brother) Uehara Sensei, Yonesato Sensei, Higaonna Sensei, Terauchi Sensei, Higaonna Alanna, Joseph Tait, and Kuramoto Sensei.
The purpose of this meeting was to discuss the outcome of the meeting held prior on Thursday October 26 2022 in Naha between Higaonna Sensei, Nakamura Sensei and the three IOGKF representatives accompanying him.
Attending that meeting on 26 October and representing the IOGKF were Nakamura Sensei, Molyneaux Sensei, Larsen Sensei, and Monteiro Sensei. In attendance with Higonna Sensei were Kuramoto Sensei and Alanna Higaonna.
Discussions at the meeting were unable to deliver a satisfactory outcome to resolve Higaonna Sensei’s concern with the governance structure and direction being taken by the IOGKF.
During the course of the meeting, Higaonna Sensei formed the opinion that the IOGKF representatives meeting with him, including Nakamura Sensei, were displaying a lack of respect for Okinawa Goju Ryu Karate, and for Okinawan culture.
From Kuramoto Sensei’s perspective, it was clear that the IOGKF representatives no longer respected Higaonna Sensei or his legacy.
Accordingly, Higaonna Sensei has found it necessary to proceed with the establishment of his new organisation – the TOGKF.
Later that night after Higaonna Sensei had been shown the Facebook post by the IOGKF representatives who had stated that they had tried their best to bring Higaonna Sensei back in to the IOGKF and that they still respected him and all that he had achieved; he personally asked me, and I quote, “Please tell them to stop saying they respect me, when they so obviously do not.”
Higaonna Sensei also reiterated his wishes that his image and name not be used by the IOGKF in any way, capacity, function or form that gives the misleading impression that he is still associated with the IOGKF or supports its current governance structure and organisational direction.
Higaonna Sensei understands that none of us can change the past, but we can influence the future especially when we believe a wrong direction has been taken.
Therefore, he believes it is his obligation to continue his work to preserve the integrity of traditional Okinawan Goju Ryu in a manner that is in keeping with its history, its culture and its core values.
Accordingly, he has proceeded to consider with vigour and urgency the development of the new organisation that he believes will better achieve those goals.
He discussed the proposed structure of the new TOGKF with his advisers. The process for appointment to several key positions was discussed, adopted and decided on both to ensure progress but also to be able to demonstrate transparency and accountability to all members.
In today’s world there is no excuse for a system that allows “gate keepers” to control access to Higaonna Sensei and to the knowledge, rich history and cultural awareness on which Traditional Okinawan Goju Ryu Karate is founded.
The new organisational model will have Higaonna Sensei and his Honbu dojo in Okinawa at the centre while all member dojos and or organisations will have direct access to the Higaonna dojo and to Higaonna Sensei.
The TOGKF’s vision is to provide a vehicle to better assist Higaonna Sensei’s legacy of spreading Traditional Okinawa Goju Ryu Karate-Do around the world.
Its vision is to deliver an organization that will provide anyone, whether they belong to an official organization or association or not, access to Higaonna Sensei’s Okinawa Goju Ryu Karate-Do.
It will be an organization that will empower you, the karate-ka, to not only assist Higaonna Sensei in protecting our existing legacy, but to grow it and nurture it.
To simply protect is to risk becoming insular and to weaken and wither, but to pursue growth is to spread and collaborate and in doing so become stronger.
The TOGKF expects to be in a position to invite applications or expression of interest from dojos, associations and individuals from mid to late November.
The application process will be online to help streamline the administrative duties as well as to provide transparency.
In the interim, while this online application system is being set up, any interested parties are encouraged to direct their queries to Higaonnadojo@togkf.com or josephtait@togkf.com
Traditional Okinawa Goju Ryu Karate Do Federation - Higaonna Dojo
oct 31, 2022
I inform you that after much deliberation, I have decided to leave the ranks of I.O.G.K.F.
This decision has several reasons, but the main one is the current conflict between Master Morio Higaonna and Nakamura Sensei. I chose Master Morio Higoanna - 10 Dan as the source of knowledge of our school.
Without the Master Morio Higaonna we would not be here - let's not forget that!!
This decision is an expression of loyalty to the teacher and also to the human being - the human being who makes me search and deepen the essence of Karate Goju-Ryu !!! Decided to join a new T.O.G.K.F organization
I would like to thank all the members of I.O.G.K.F for their cooperation so far, I wish you all sports and organizational successes.
Tomek Goju Ryu
Dear IOGKF members,
We (I, Sensei Ernie Molyneux, Sensei Henrik Larsen & Sensei Jorge Monteiro) came to Okinawa to have a meeting with Higaonna Sensei. I am regret to inform you that we couldn’t reach the agreement and decided to move forward in separate path. We will always respect Higaonna Sensei as a founder of IOGKF and appreciate everything he did to us. I would like to thank Alanna Higaonna for setting this meeting. After the meeting, we met Yamashiro Sensei (IOGKF Japan/Okinawa Chief Instructor) and discuss future event in Okinawa that we will announce in next few weeks. We also visited late Shuichi Aragaki Sensei’s family to show our respect and appreciation.
Oct 28, 2022
Slovakia, 2022
September 16, 2022
-Loyalty-
What would you do if you found out that your father’s close friend is stealing money that belongs not only to your father, but also to your family. You tell your father, but he doesn’t believe you. Would you try to stop him in any way possible, even though the legal action against your father’s will and even though your father gets really upset at you? I would, to protect my father and to protect my family. He may get really upset at me and won’t speak to me. But I would hope that one day my father will see the truth and understand that what I did was right. Or do you just sit and watch your father’s friend steal money from your family because you think that is the loyalty to your father.
There is a small group of people who tried to steal the IOGKF from our family. When I found out, I had to stand strong to stop them. In the process Higaonna Sensei really got upset at me and he must think that I am the traitor. However, if my approach was soft and gentle, we would have already lost the IOGKF. I hope one day Higaonna Sensei will realize that what I did was the right thing and will come back to us.
I know where my loyalty lies. It always has been and will be on Higaonna Sensei and the IOGKF Family.
September 14, 2022
Tetsuji Nakamura 中村哲二
Today, Higaonna Sensei announced that he resigned from IOGKF. I feel great sadness that the relationship between Higaonna Sensei and all IOGKF family has been destroyed by a small group of people.
All IOGKF members and I have the utmost respect for Higaonna Sensei, and this will never change. He is the person who made who I am now, so as many of IOGKF senior instructors.
I hope that in time Higaonna Sensei will return as the supreme master “Saiko Shihan” of our organization. I will always be eternally grateful to his incredible and unmatchable contribution to our organization and his teaching to all of us.
September 14, 2022
Higaonna Sensei officially quit the IOGKF
Facebook, September 12, 2022
Facebook, September 12, 2022
We have been inundated by questions from Higaonna Sensei’s students as to the current situation with the IOGKF. There have been very substantial changes to the organization, but all for the good. I understand that Honbu, Okinawa, should have an official IOGKF Facebook page up soon, maybe as early as next week, so you will then be able to communicate with Higaonna Sensei’s Staff directly.
In the background (left) are Uehara Sensei and Nakantakari Sensei, both Honbu Dojo instructors.
The IOGKF Honbu really does have a lot of talent at its disposal!
Facebook, September 12, 2022
RE: Our post of September 2nd, 2022.
We have been publishing quality martial arts information since 1980, and have built a reputation for absolute accuracy and reliability. Therefore, we do not publish news unless it has been substantiated by reliable sources, in this case, Morio Higaonna Sensei 10th Dan, and IOGKF Honbu Dojo in Okinawa.
As far as this post is concerned, we can say with confidence that if you are told otherwise the source of your information is either un-informed or disingenuous.
IOGKF REMAINS UNCHANGED
September 4, 2022
The IOGKF is an international organization consisting of 64 member countries worldwide, over 60,000 members and is the world's largest traditional Okinawan karate organization.
At meetings on September 3rd and 4th, the IOGKF's Executive Committee has, together with the majority of chief instructors and senior members of the IOGKF, chosen not to approve the transfer of the chief instructor post and to move the administration office to Okinawa.
Sensei Tetsuji Nakamura remains our Chief Instructor and the administration office, with Adrienne Langgartner as administrative director/secretary, remains in Canada. Sensei Morio Higaonna is the “Supreme Master / Saiko Shihan”.
In other words, nothing has changed.
Please do not hesitate to get in touch with either Sensei Tetsuji Nakamura, Sensei Ernie Molyneux, Sensei Henrik Larsen, Sensei Jorge Monteiro or your own country chief instructor, if you have any queries or concerns.
NEWS UPDATES September 2 2022
Morio Higaonna Sensei resumed the position of WORLD CHIEF INSTRUCTOR of the IOGKF on August 22nd last. From September 1st, they moved his World Headquarters to the IOGKF Honbu Dojo in Naha, Okinawa, Japan. ALL administrative matters are now dealt with only in Honbu Dojo.
Our container of Meijin Uniforms and belts has been unpacked, and all backorders shipped. They should arrive at their destinations next week. We will spend the Labor Day weekend clearing up the mess!
The new Dragon Associates Inc. website will go online soon, and we hope you will like it. We have incorporated a lot of information into the site-not just sales material.
For example, what does “Hanshi” mean, and who picked the colors of colored belts? The site contains a lot of information like this for serious karate people. It is useful and, we feel, very attractive.
If you are planning a trip to Japan (Okinawa) in the foreseeable future, remember that for the first time in decades, you will need a visa and a letter of invitation (in Japanese) from a registered company or organization. You will also need to pay for a licensed tour guide to be with you at all times (extremely expensive).
I have spoken to all my contacts at the Japan Travel Bureau, Japan Airlines, etc. and nobody seems to know how long the restrictions will last. So, for the time being, make sure that you allow yourself plenty of time and put aside a decent amount of money for the documents and the trip.
Work proceeds on the Shin Tenchi IOGKF Dojo in Georgia on the new 10-acre site. The project has already received the support of the very prestigious Okinawa Chimu Gukuru Committee, which to my certain knowledge has two board members who are Government Appointed “Goodwill (Civil) Ambassadors” responsible for promoting all facets of traditional Ryukyu culture.
The dojo will be even more breathtaking than the one where so many of you have already trained and has already been given a unique status which will be announced by the IOGKF in due course.
Message for the karateka of the IOGKF Netherlands
Because I have received a lot of questions from our IOGKF Netherlands members, about matters that they read on Facebook, I feel obliged to clarify to our members what is going on, on a personal basis and as Chief Instructor of the Netherlands.
Our IOGKF organization and family are in a very difficult, painful and sensitive situation.
At least one person from Sensei Higaonna's dojo, and a couple of people from the US, on the outskirts of the IOGKF, have been involved in spreading lies in the IOGKf USA, the IOGkF International and to Sensei Higaona, to over Sensei Nakamura floating and taking over the IOGKF.
They misled Sensei Higaonna and tricked him into believing these lies were true. Presumably due to his age, weakening due to a long hospital stay and being isolated from his IOGKF family for more than two years, Sensei Higaonna had become an easy victim.
The couple armies managed to turn Sensei Higaonna up against his own IOGKF family and many of his beloved and most experienced, longest-serving instructors. They even let Sensei Higaonna speak based on the lies they fed him, filtering the post and keeping him away from the facts and what's really going on. Evidence of this has been collected and is still piling up. The investigation into details and a complete picture continues.
It reminds me of several earlier episodes in IOGKF history, such as the one where people managed to manipulate Sensei An’ichi Miyagi. The IOGKF was in a deep shock then as well. But we survived those too.
Although extensive evidence has been presented to Chief Instructors and Senior Instructors on several occasions, the hostile takeover has not stopped. It's probably going to get worse first.
A taskforce of Chief & Senior Instructors, including some of Sensei Higaonna's oldest and most trusted instructors, is at work behind the scenes day after day. The Chief Instructors and Senior Instructors who support this represent over 80% of the IOGKF members.
Unfortunately, some still believe they are loyal to Sensei Higaonna by not acting against the hostile takeover. I hope these members of our IOGKF family, out of the same love and respect we share for Sensei Higaonna, will educate themselves further and consider a deeper loyalty. A loyalty that is more painful, but Sensei protects against those who conspire to control him for their own interest, and Sensei helps preserve his legacy and the IOGKF family he dedicated his life to.
The task force's battle to keep our beloved teacher, Sensei Higaonna, and our IOGKF family together and stop the hostile takeover is a battle of loyalty. A near impossible battle in which we must distinguish wise loyalty from blind loyalty. This is heart breaking.
Never in my life have I seen more loyalty to Sensei Higaonna and the IOGKF family among my colleagues and ‘seniors’ than in the past few weeks. I saw in the tears in their eyes. Tears because of what is happening to and around Sensei Higaonna and our IOGKF family.
The IOGKF task force is currently doing everything possible to save our IOGKF family, Sensei Higaonna and his legacy, by trying to contact Sensei Higaona directly, by contacting various people who dic ht standing with him, informing Chief Instructors and Senior Instructors, a journey to Okinawa to prepare, etc. etc.
In the meantime, the IOGKF continues to fulfill its organizational goal: “to protect and preserve the traditional Okinawa Goju-Ryu karate as passed on by its founder, Sensei Chojun Miyagi, and pass it on to future generations.” . "
I pray for all of us, wherever you are with your thoughts and feelings around all of this, that we will soon reunite as a family, and see Sensei Higaonna's smile back on the dojo floor and be able to enjoy the traini ngen of our 'senior Instructors’, who have been carrying the torch for decades.
For more information you can contact me personally, or your dojo leader. I think these matters require personal contact, rather than distant words in the virtual space. For real communication, we can't just sail on words and 'emoticons'. We also need to be able to see the smile, tears and annoyance on each other's faces.
Sincerely,
Sept 14, 2022
