Rembuden Kilbirnie Karate Club

Welcome to the

Rembuden Kilbirnie Karate Club

Wellington, New Zealand

(Est 1968)

Traditional Karate-Do

Okinawa Goju Ryu

Rembuden Kilbirnie is a traditional school of Karate-Do teaching Okinawa Goju Ryu Karate. The style originates directly from the island of Okinawa in Japan.  It was founded by Master Chojun Miyagi (1888 - 1953).

There are 4 major styles of Karate that are generally recognised in Japan today (although there are numerous other styles practised). Goju Ryu Karate-Do is one of these major styles. The history of Goju Ryu Karate-Do could be said to have begun with the Okinawan Grandmaster Kanryo Higaonna (1853 - 1915) when he landed in Fuzhou, southern China in 1869. It was here that he devoted himself to the study of southern Chinese martial arts under the guidance of the great Chinese Master Ryu Ryu Ko, later when Kanryo Higaonna returned to Okinawa in 1881, he passed on this art, which had become known as Naha-te, to the young people of Okinawa. After his death, Miyagi Chojun Sensei, as his top student, succeeded his teacher.

Grandmaster Chojun Miyagi, born on 24 April 1888 in Naha, the capital city of Okinawa, the largest island in the Ryu Kyu chain, like his Master before him, travelled to China in 1915 to study Chinese Wushu (fighting arts) at Fuzhou in southern China where he remained until 1917. This was one of 3 trips he made to China during his lifetime. Through extensive research and the application of rational and scientific principles he formed the various components of Karate into a systematized and comprehensive teaching curriculum. In addition to this he was also the first leader of any Karate style to give a name to his art. The name he chose was Goju Ryu.  Miyagi Sensei passed away at the age of 65 on October 8th, 1953, leaving a great legacy behind, predicting that during the 20th Century Karate would spread throughout the world. This prediction has now been realised. It is not only practised in Okinawa and mainland Japan, but throughout the world.

Master Chojun Miyagi

What is Karate?

Karate translates to "empty hands" and implies weaponless self defence. "Do" means way of life. Thus Karate-Do means to practise the art of Karate as a way of life. In the context of our style -  Okinawa Goju Ryu, the translation is therefore:

Okinawa: Place of origin, as distinct from mainland Japan and to differentiate from the style/organisation known as Japanese Goju Kai

Goju: means Hard/Soft

Ryu: means style

This is the style  of Karate-Do founded in Okinawa by Master Chojun Miyagi. Indeed Goju is a good defintion of his philosophy on life.

Okinawa Goju Ryu Karate is widely practised in New Zealand and internationally. It is suitable for Men, Women and Children, from beginners to experienced Karateka, young and old alike. 

So what about us? 

Rembuden Kilbirnie is an independent school of Okinawan Goju Ryu Karate-Do. Our students currently range in age from 5 to 59 years of age.We have a flat organisation structure. As a non profit club, we have lower overheads, and consequently lower training fees, which is especially important these days with families operating on tighter budgets. Compare our training fees with other clubs that you can locate on the internet.

Kiddies classes are $50/term,  while Adults are $70/term. N.B. An annual Registration fee of $25 is applicable. We emphasize quality of students and their technique, not quantity of students and turnover. There is absolutely no requirement for participation in sport karate. To find out more about us, check out the next page. 

Sensei William Young - Head Instructor

Training Venue Contact Phone Numbers

Landline Enquiries Tel (04) 383-6348

Kilbirnie Dojo Contact 021-290-0016

Johnsonville/Newlands Dojo 027-440-2634

Rembuden Kilbirnie 

 Traditional Karate, Kata and Applications, Kiddie Karate, Fitness, Flexibility, Self Confidence, Self Defence, Assertiveness, Agility, Speed and Strength = Power

Enquiries To: Rembuden@Yahoo.co.nz

or Phone (04) 383-6348  (No Mobile Numbers please)

Site sponsored by: