12/01/2026
In September, 1953, Shuichi sensei went to Tokyo to further his formal education. One month after he moved to Tokyo, he heard the news of his Sensei's death. The founder of Goju-Ryu, Sensei Chojun Miyagi died by heart failure on October 8th, 1953 at the age of 65. After the death of Sensei Chojun Miyagi, some of the Chojun Sensei's students got together and started training at Chojun Sensei's backyard in January 1954. Sensei Eiichi Miyazato was the head of the group. There were Sensei Koshin Iha and Sensei An'ichi Miyagi in the group. Little by little some new students joined to the group. Training was mostly self training. Students came anytime, and they train themselves, and senior students help junior students. There was also some type of group training where students make a circle and go through Junbi Undo and Kihon. Usually Sensei An'ichi Miyagi led this group training.
Sensei Shuichi Aragaki came back from Tokyo in 1954 and he trained with An'ichi Miyagi Sensei and others at Chojun Sensei's backyard.
In 1955, He moved to Tokyo again. Before his departure to Tokyo, Sensei Eiichi Miyazato organized a farewell party for Aragaki Sensei. Here is the rare (only) photo of four Goju-Ryu masters together. (2nd from left, Sensei Koshin Iha, 5th from left, Sensei Eiichi Miyazato, 6th from left, Sensei Shuichi Aragaki, all the way to right, Sensei An'ichi Miyagi)
