Naha-te Lineage: “Gravestone of Eiichi Miyazato (Miyazato Family Tomb)”

Located about a 10-minute drive from the Okinawa Karate Kaikan, this gravestone in Tobaruna, Tomigusuku City commemorates the life of **Eiichi Miyazato**, a karate master who devoted his life to the development of Okinawan Goju-ryu Karate. As a senior disciple of Goju-ryu founder **Chojun Miyagi**, Miyazato played a vital role in preserving and promoting traditional karate techniques. His achievements hold special significance in the history of Okinawan karate.

Eiichi Miyazato (1922–1999) was born in Naha and began practicing karate under his father at a young age. He later became a formal student of Chojun Miyagi and continued his training under him throughout his life. Miyazato is regarded as one of the few individuals who mastered all the kata of Goju-ryu, and as a direct and senior disciple, he was considered one of the instructors who most deeply understood Miyagi’s teachings.

In 1946, upon Miyagi’s recommendation, Miyazato joined the Ryukyu Police (later the Okinawa Prefectural Police), where he served as a physical training instructor in karate and judo at the police academy. After Miyagi’s passing in 1953, Miyazato succeeded him as the official successor and took over instruction at Miyagi’s garden dojo. Around 1956–1957, he established his own dojo, the **Jundokan**, in Naha. The Jundokan became a major training hall for traditional Goju-ryu and produced many distinguished students. To this day, it is recognized internationally as a central dojo preserving the traditions of Goju-ryu.

Miyazato’s accomplishments extended beyond karate. Alongside his karate training, he dedicated himself to judo and demonstrated exceptional skill, even becoming an Okinawa judo champion. He later served as president of the Okinawa Judo Federation, contributing significantly to the development of judo in the region. In Goju-ryu karate, he was awarded the highest rank of 10th dan (Hanshi), and he also held a high rank in judo, reflecting his outstanding technical ability and leadership in both martial arts.

His achievements were highly recognized both in Japan and abroad. In 1984, he received commendation from the **Kodokan**. In 1994, he was honored by the Japan Budokan Council and the Okinawa Judo Federation, and in 1998 he received official recognition from Japan’s Ministry of Education (as it was then known). Many internationally active karate practitioners emerged from among his students, and his teachings continue to spread throughout the world.

The Gravestone of Eiichi Miyazato stands as a place of special meaning for practitioners of Okinawan Goju-ryu Karate and as an important historic site symbolizing the region’s martial arts culture. Continuing to train and teach until his later years, Miyazato passed away in Naha in 1999. His spirit lives on in the many martial artists who carry forward his legacy. For those wishing to learn about the history of Goju-ryu karate or to experience the spirit of Okinawan martial arts, this is a place well worth visiting.