The Okinawa Goju Ryu Kenkyukai is a global karate organisation set up to promote research into the practical application of Okinawa Goju Ryu Karate kata and technique, headed by Taira Masaji Sensei, 9th Dan Hanshi.
Masaji Taira (平良 正次, Taira Masaji, born 1 December 1952) is a leading teacher of Okinawa Goju Ryu Karate Do, and head of the Okinawa Gojuryu Kenkyu Kai. His teacher was Eiichi Miyazato, a student of Chojun Miyagi and the founder of the Okinawan Jundokan dojo. Taira’s karate is that of his teacher and the Jundokan, with the addition of his novel approach to the application of the kata.
Taira is best known as a researcher and practitioner of the bunkai of the Goju Ryu kata.
Taira teaches seminars world wide throughout the year, visiting the US, Canada, Australia, France, Italy, Portugal, England, Lithuania, India and New Zealand. He teaches hundreds of students. His seminars are open to students from any style or organisation, continuing his themes of openness and inclusion, also promoting Goju Ryu worldwide.
Its French branch is represented by two houses since 2012:
- OGKKF Paris (led by Pascal Duroux and Christian Rosso)
- and IGKDF Vanves (led by Nirina Rakotozafiminahy).