A Traditional Club

The Edmonton Gojukai Karate Club is one of Edmonton’s oldest karate clubs. Operating since 1977, it offers students training in Japanese traditional gojuryu karate. The training emphasises body, mind, and spirit, so that the physical aspect is incorporated within the traditions of martial arts.

The Edmonton Gojukai Club follows traditional behaviour where both instructors and students are expected to demonstrate courtesy and respect. Training is always geared to the skill level of the individual to ensure that the experience is positive, challenging and rewarding.

Students of any ability, level or age are welcome.

The Edmonton Gojukai Karate Club is licensed by the City of Edmonton and was established in 1977, under the name Karatedo Gojukai Edmonton, by its first sensei, Yoshio Yamashita. Yamashita sensei was also appointed as shibucho (director) for Canada by Grandmaster Gogen Yamaguchi of Tokyo.

On Yamashita sensei’s retirement, John Priegert, one of the earliest students of the club, took on the role of head instructor and continues to teach under license from the head of International Karate Gojukai Association (IKGA), Master Goshi Yamaguchi of Tokyo in the traditional Yamaguchi Gojukai style

We are an IKGA Canada member club

Edmonton Gojukai is a member of IKGA Canada, IKGA Canada is dedicated to providing instruction in the art and science of Yamaguchi Gojuryu Karatedo within Canada.

Goju-ryu karatedo shares its roots with other styles of karate developed over the centuries from the unarmed fighting arts of China. These arts came to Okinawa, where they underwent development and fusion with Okinawan unarmed fighting styles