About US
剛 (Go): Derived from the first kanji in Gojuryu and is translated as ``Hard.''
拳 (Ken): Derived from the term ``Fist'' signifying empty hand arts.
館 (Kan): Literal meaning is ``House of'' or ``Organization of''
剛拳館(GokenKan): Translated, stands for ``House of the Hard Fist.'' or "Place in which to study Gojuryu Karate Kenpo"
We are a small, private dojo, located in Swayzee, Indiana. The Gokenkan is a Shibu Dojo (Branch) of the Okinawan Gojuryu Karate-do Kyokai and Seikai Dentokan Bugei Renmei. The Gokenkan also serves as the USA Honbu Dojo (Headquarters) for the International Gojuryu Karate Association.
Our dojo is dedicated to training in Okinawan empty-hand and weapon martial arts. Our goals in training are the development of the practitioners’ body, mind, and spirit and the improvement of self defense skills through the practice of traditional Okinawan martial arts. We train in a non-competitive environment; each member works not only to improve him or her self, but to help the other members improve as well. (Although if a student chooses to compete in tournaments sensei will assit them)
Although our current headquarters dojo (Since 2005) is located in Swayzee, we have branch dojo and study groups accross the USA. Our dojo is private and therefore not open to the public, those interested should contact us and meet with sensei to determine if you may join the class. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact us directly or through the contact us page.
The development of our Gokenkan as a dojo teaching traditional gojuryu karate began in January of 1994 with the setting up of a club at the YMCA in Marion, Indiana by Mike Jones. Previous to this time Sensei Jones was the appointed Chief Instructor at the Komakai Academy Marion, with the closure of the Marion location, Sensei Jones founded our Gokenkan.
Sensei Jones continues to lead the Gokenkan today. Sensei has been studying traditional Okinawan martial arts since 1977. He holds senior yudansha (black belt) ranks and teaching licenses in the arts of Karate, Kobudo, Jujutsu and Iaijutsu within the Okinawa Gojuryu Karate-do Kyokai, International Gojuryu Karate Association and the Sekai Dentokan Bugei Renmei..
Although Sensei has trained and studied with several of the different factions in the Gojuryu system, He has always maintained instruction in his original lineage and we adhere to the teachings of the Late Master Eiichi Miyazato.