Brisbane Goju Karate

Specialties

Brisbane Goju Karate train students in Goju Ryu Karate do Seiwakai which is a style of karate found worldwide. The martial arts dojo has karate classes for children and adults and will train anyone from an absolute beginner to an advanced black belt karateka (karate practitioner).

The style of teaching at Brisbane Goju Karate is aimed towards the student that wants to learn self defence skills and to improve their overall fitness, strength and confidence. Discipline, focus and perseverance are common themes taught in the martial arts classes at Brisbane Goju Karate.

The head instructor of Brisbane Goju Karate is James Duggan Shihan (meaning ‘master’ and is a title given by the Japanese Karatedo Federation to a 5^th Dan black belt) and James Shihan teaches the students at both the Morningside and Norman Park dojo.

Kain Johnson Sensei (meaning ‘teacher’ and is a title given by the Japanese Karatedo Federation to a 3^rd Dan black belt) is the head instructor of the Annerley dojo.

History

Established in 2004.

Brisbane Goju Karate is a martial arts school in Brisbane founded by James Duggan Shihan. Originally the karate school started as one dojo (karate training area) which was located in the Active Life Fitness gym in Norman Park. Since then there have been two new dojos opened at Morningside and Annerley.

The style of Karate is called Goju Ryu which means (hard soft style) and was founded by Chojun Miyagi in the early 1800’s. This is the same style as portrayed in the classic Hollywood film «The Karate Kid» for those of you that have picked up on the Mr. Miyagi connection.

Chojun Miyagi was the founder of Goju Ryu and one of his students was named Gogen Yamaguchi, nicknamed ‘the cat’. One of Gogen Yamaguchi’s top students was Shuji Tasaki who went on to found the Seiwakai organisation.

Shuji Tasaki Shihan awarded James Duggan Shihan his rank of 5^th Dan black belt and also Kain Johnson Sensei his rank of 3^rd Dan black belt at the Takamatsu Grading in Japan in 2010.

Meet the Business Owner

James D.

Business Owner

Shihan James has had extensive advanced martial arts training under the guidance of renouned martial artist Marty Scroggins Shihan. He has had a fighting career that started with Karate Kumite Tournaments in Tasmania, Victoria, New South Wales and Queensland that led to TSK Kickboxing & Boxing bouts both in Australia and Thailand.

Shihan James opened Brisbane Goju Karate in Norman Park in 2004 and through his discplined, structured and consistent teaching style has produced countless martial artists.

In 2010, Shuji Tasaki Shihan awarded James Duggan Shihan the title of 5^th Dan black belt in Goju Ryu Karate do Seiwakai.

Shihan James’ greatest strength is his ability to inspire his students.