Goju Ryu was founded by Chojun Miyagi (1888-1953), a legendary Okinawan martial artist. Miyagi Sensei learned karate from his instructor, Kanryo Higaonna (1867-1916), who is said to have traveled to China to study the art of Kung Fu. Upon returning to Okinawa, Higaonna Sensei taught Miyagi Sensei the fundamentals of Naha-te, which would eventually evolve into Goju Ryu.