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Chojun: A Novel
A typhoon brings the renowned karate master Chojun Miyagi into the life of young Kenichi Ota, who must prove himself before he can enter the master’s inner circle. As once-peaceful Okinawa prepares for war, master and student venture to China in search of the deepest meaning of karate.
After the destruction of Pearl Harbor, the tides of war turn against Japan and an American invasion fleet approaches Okinawa. Kenichi is conscripted as a runner for the Japanese general staff and finds himself in the epicenter of the Battle of Okinawa. In the aftermath, he must fight again to rebuild the shattered hopes of his people and preserve his master’s art of karate.
After the destruction of Pearl Harbor, the tides of war turn against Japan and an American invasion fleet approaches Okinawa. Kenichi is conscripted as a runner for the Japanese general staff and finds himself in the epicenter of the Battle of Okinawa. In the aftermath, he must fight again to rebuild the shattered hopes of his people and preserve his master’s art of karate.
360 pages, Paperback
First published December 1, 2012
4 people are currently reading
335 people want to read
About the author
Goran Powell
11 books61 followersGoran is a writer who holds a 5th Dan in Goju Ryu Karate. He lives in London and teaches and trains at Daigaku Karate Kai, one of the UK's strongest clubs. In 2006 his first book Waking Dragons was an instant bestseller on Amazon's martial arts listing and is now in its second edition. In 2008 he co-produced the highly acclaimed Four Shades of Black written by his Sensei Gavin Mulholland.
Goran's first novel 'A Sudden Dawn' tells the story of Bodhidharma (Da Mo / Daruma) who founded Zen and Martial Arts in the Shaolin Temple. His second novel CHOJUN is historical fiction set on Okinawa around the time of WW2 and tells the story of young man training in karate with the renowned master Chojun Miyagi (the 'real' Mr Miyagi).
Goran’s martial arts experience began in 1972 when he took up Judo In 1984 he moved to London and trained in Shotokan karate, Kyokushinkai and Taekwondo before settling on Goju Ryu karate. In 2002 he completed the gruelling 30 Man Kumite, writing up the experience in his bestselling book Waking Dragons.
In 2007 he achieved the rank of 4th Dan after demonstating skill in modern and traditional weaponry. Goran still teaches and trains regularly and is assistant coach to the MMA team DKK Fighters.
Goran's first novel 'A Sudden Dawn' tells the story of Bodhidharma (Da Mo / Daruma) who founded Zen and Martial Arts in the Shaolin Temple. His second novel CHOJUN is historical fiction set on Okinawa around the time of WW2 and tells the story of young man training in karate with the renowned master Chojun Miyagi (the 'real' Mr Miyagi).
Goran’s martial arts experience began in 1972 when he took up Judo In 1984 he moved to London and trained in Shotokan karate, Kyokushinkai and Taekwondo before settling on Goju Ryu karate. In 2002 he completed the gruelling 30 Man Kumite, writing up the experience in his bestselling book Waking Dragons.
In 2007 he achieved the rank of 4th Dan after demonstating skill in modern and traditional weaponry. Goran still teaches and trains regularly and is assistant coach to the MMA team DKK Fighters.
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Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews
November 11, 2012
Like many people, I have seen The Karate Kid movies without realizing that there was a real Okinawan karate master named Miyagi. I am also interested in the history and culture of Okinawa. Returning to Okinawa with a novel about a student of the real Miyagi was definitely appealing for me. My copy of Chojun by Goran Powell is an ARC from Net Galley.
Chojun Miyagi (1888-1953) was the founder of Goju-ryu Karate . He was born in Naha, the capital of Okinawa prefecture on the main island. This book is largely the memories of his fictional student, Kenichi Ota. There is an amazingly compelling description of how Kenichi first encountered Miyagi practicing karate during a typhoon. I was transfixed by the majesty of that moment. It was the point where this book grabbed me and didn't let me go for an instant.
I've never read a martial arts novel with as much depth as Chojun. The depth is not just in the depiction of karate, but in the immersion of the reader in the history and culture of Okinawa. I really appreciated this book.
For my complete review see my November blog post "Okinawan Karate and the Real Miyagi" at http://www.maskedpersona.blogspot.com
Chojun Miyagi (1888-1953) was the founder of Goju-ryu Karate . He was born in Naha, the capital of Okinawa prefecture on the main island. This book is largely the memories of his fictional student, Kenichi Ota. There is an amazingly compelling description of how Kenichi first encountered Miyagi practicing karate during a typhoon. I was transfixed by the majesty of that moment. It was the point where this book grabbed me and didn't let me go for an instant.
I've never read a martial arts novel with as much depth as Chojun. The depth is not just in the depiction of karate, but in the immersion of the reader in the history and culture of Okinawa. I really appreciated this book.
For my complete review see my November blog post "Okinawan Karate and the Real Miyagi" at http://www.maskedpersona.blogspot.com
December 23, 2012
I loved this book as it gives a more personal insight into the Pacific war that was fought after the bombing of Pearl Harbour. How it affected the founding father of Goju karate, his students and the island of Okinawa.
An amazing moving and very thought provoking book.
Rreally looking forward to more books by this author.
An amazing moving and very thought provoking book.
Rreally looking forward to more books by this author.
June 5, 2013
Excerpt of my review:
It is said that you can only truly know someone by fighting them, for in the stress of combat the mind of the other is laid bare: their intentions, their fears and their mental balance. However, this is when facing an untrained mind. The master’s mind is like the void states of Zen Buddhism known as Mushin and Zanshin, the flowing stream and the rock in its centre, from which actions flow without recourse to any thing, not even a simple desire for victory. When fighting someone with such a mind state it becomes impossible to discern his intentions and thereby incredibly difficult to defeat him.
His mind is empty.
An “Empty” mind is the true meaning of the word “Kara” in “Karate” and not, as is commonly repeated, “unarmed”. A master’s mind is so “in the moment” that there is no thought before action at all; he just does.
Where does that ability come from? What are the teachings that explain this? It is an oft-repeated belief, whispered between those who practice the martial arts, that there are secrets to be found in the teachings Secrets of striking, secrets of technique and even secrets hidden in plain sight. Different arts have many versions of these legends. Most common is the supposed perfection of the long dead masters – who usually died with just enough time to pass on the secrets to a select few, either in the form of a manual or perhaps a special kata. Also common is the idea of the “true” secret being hidden in the most basic teachings; the end-is-the-beginning, so to speak. For example one may be taught to block a simple attack, but then many years later be informed that the block is actually a grab, timed differently, and that this was the secret teaching all along. This sort of thing is the source of the famous “wax on, wax off” teachings of Mr. Miyagi in The Karate Kid movies. Movies written by a GoJu-Ryu practitioner.
This is also an underlying thread in Goran Powell’s novel named after the founder of GoJu-Ryu Karate, Chojun Miyagi; The real Mr. Miyagi. Goran himself is a senior black belt in this style and so is ideally placed to recount his founders searches for the truth through his art. This is Goran’s second historical fiction novel after 2010′s vivid account of the legendary founder of Zen Buddhism, Bodhidharma, in A Sudden Dawn. In a way this could be a sequel to that work as the insights into the relationship between mind and body, brought to China by Bodhidharma, heavily influenced the development of all the martial arts when Chinese culture spread through the countries of the East.
One such country was the island of Okinawa. This large island stands as a crossroads between Japanese and Chinese cultures (both country’s claim ownership of it) and the arts of the native people are heavily influenced by the pair. The masters of Okinawa were people searching for true meaning through training the body and mind to become one. In Karate, destruction of the opponent is not the goal, rather it is improvement of one’s self through the iron-forge of the will to become something greater, something more “in touch” with the high philosophies of China and Japan.
As Chojun himself said, “the ultimate aim of karate-do was to build character, conquer human misery, and find spiritual freedom”
Deep mysticism meets iron practicality.
Continues:
http://www.outsidecontext.com/2013/06...
It is said that you can only truly know someone by fighting them, for in the stress of combat the mind of the other is laid bare: their intentions, their fears and their mental balance. However, this is when facing an untrained mind. The master’s mind is like the void states of Zen Buddhism known as Mushin and Zanshin, the flowing stream and the rock in its centre, from which actions flow without recourse to any thing, not even a simple desire for victory. When fighting someone with such a mind state it becomes impossible to discern his intentions and thereby incredibly difficult to defeat him.
His mind is empty.
An “Empty” mind is the true meaning of the word “Kara” in “Karate” and not, as is commonly repeated, “unarmed”. A master’s mind is so “in the moment” that there is no thought before action at all; he just does.
Where does that ability come from? What are the teachings that explain this? It is an oft-repeated belief, whispered between those who practice the martial arts, that there are secrets to be found in the teachings Secrets of striking, secrets of technique and even secrets hidden in plain sight. Different arts have many versions of these legends. Most common is the supposed perfection of the long dead masters – who usually died with just enough time to pass on the secrets to a select few, either in the form of a manual or perhaps a special kata. Also common is the idea of the “true” secret being hidden in the most basic teachings; the end-is-the-beginning, so to speak. For example one may be taught to block a simple attack, but then many years later be informed that the block is actually a grab, timed differently, and that this was the secret teaching all along. This sort of thing is the source of the famous “wax on, wax off” teachings of Mr. Miyagi in The Karate Kid movies. Movies written by a GoJu-Ryu practitioner.
This is also an underlying thread in Goran Powell’s novel named after the founder of GoJu-Ryu Karate, Chojun Miyagi; The real Mr. Miyagi. Goran himself is a senior black belt in this style and so is ideally placed to recount his founders searches for the truth through his art. This is Goran’s second historical fiction novel after 2010′s vivid account of the legendary founder of Zen Buddhism, Bodhidharma, in A Sudden Dawn. In a way this could be a sequel to that work as the insights into the relationship between mind and body, brought to China by Bodhidharma, heavily influenced the development of all the martial arts when Chinese culture spread through the countries of the East.
One such country was the island of Okinawa. This large island stands as a crossroads between Japanese and Chinese cultures (both country’s claim ownership of it) and the arts of the native people are heavily influenced by the pair. The masters of Okinawa were people searching for true meaning through training the body and mind to become one. In Karate, destruction of the opponent is not the goal, rather it is improvement of one’s self through the iron-forge of the will to become something greater, something more “in touch” with the high philosophies of China and Japan.
As Chojun himself said, “the ultimate aim of karate-do was to build character, conquer human misery, and find spiritual freedom”
Deep mysticism meets iron practicality.
Continues:
http://www.outsidecontext.com/2013/06...
December 17, 2012
Many years ago, thousands of viewers enjoyed the movie character "Miyagi" in "The Karate Kid." But Chojun is the story of the real karate sensei or teacher Chojun Miyagi and his story is a worthy, very human and therefore real account of what it is like to fully engage in karate in and out of extraordinarily difficult times!
Kenichi Ota is the narrator of this tale, a young boy initially who wants to train with Miyagi but is told to practice holding his breath while underwater in the shores of Okinawa in its pre-WWII period. So he obeys and then begins the phenomenally difficult physical training that reads almost like brutality and yet never daunts the spirit of Kenichi. He helps build and prepare the training tools and his master grants him just enough conversation and verbal teaching to balance out the pain Kenichi is physically enduring. It is training for a daunting future!
Then war arrives after the Japanese attack Pearl Harbor, the Second World War. One way in which this account differs from other historical accounts from a Japanese point of view is that the people of Okinawa realize very quickly that America is a very strong country whose military are slowly but surely edging their victorious way to overcome the soldiers on Okinawa's land. They believe they are prepared, but Kenichi takes us through the period before, during and after the devastating Battle of Okinawa. This is not to be missed writing as it exposes the stress upon the physical, mental and spiritual strength and solidity of Okinawans. Characters are uniquely traumatized and struggle to hold onto compassion and sanity when all seems to be journeying toward inevitable death in all areas of one's life.
Chojun: A Novel is superb historical fiction as well as an action-packed account of the complete training in mind and spirit of the sport and art, Karate!!! Wonderful and a must read for anyone who loves karate as well as martial arts, war stories, and human stamina in its best and worst forms! Amazing!
Kenichi Ota is the narrator of this tale, a young boy initially who wants to train with Miyagi but is told to practice holding his breath while underwater in the shores of Okinawa in its pre-WWII period. So he obeys and then begins the phenomenally difficult physical training that reads almost like brutality and yet never daunts the spirit of Kenichi. He helps build and prepare the training tools and his master grants him just enough conversation and verbal teaching to balance out the pain Kenichi is physically enduring. It is training for a daunting future!
Then war arrives after the Japanese attack Pearl Harbor, the Second World War. One way in which this account differs from other historical accounts from a Japanese point of view is that the people of Okinawa realize very quickly that America is a very strong country whose military are slowly but surely edging their victorious way to overcome the soldiers on Okinawa's land. They believe they are prepared, but Kenichi takes us through the period before, during and after the devastating Battle of Okinawa. This is not to be missed writing as it exposes the stress upon the physical, mental and spiritual strength and solidity of Okinawans. Characters are uniquely traumatized and struggle to hold onto compassion and sanity when all seems to be journeying toward inevitable death in all areas of one's life.
Chojun: A Novel is superb historical fiction as well as an action-packed account of the complete training in mind and spirit of the sport and art, Karate!!! Wonderful and a must read for anyone who loves karate as well as martial arts, war stories, and human stamina in its best and worst forms! Amazing!
May 1, 2020
An excellent read that reaches beyond its World War II genre. Beginning in pre-war Okinawa, the story introduces a fictional young boy determined to become a student of Chojun Miyagi, real-life famed karate master and loose inspiration for same-named Karate Kid movie character. As the boy achieves his wish, we learn about Okinawa, of its natural beauty and its once independent history, and how both shape the katas unique to what was once considered a minor and backwater form of martial arts. Then World War II happens, converging on the island with one of the most devastating battles of the Pacific, with full and brutal force. Overall, a skillful story devotedly told by its modern day karate master and author.
September 14, 2017
Fantastic book. Even better if you like Martial Art and/or History. The best compliment I can give the book and its author: I stayed up until 2:32am to finish the book.
September 28, 2023
I read Chojun because I loved Goran Powells' martial arts novel A Sudden Dawn. Chojun far exceeded my expectations as both a marial arts tour-de-force and a historical fiction novel telling the WWII story in the South Pacific on the island of Okinawa after the Japanese bombed Pearl Harbor. I've read many WWII accounts set in Europe but this is a unique and extraordinary work. Chojun presents the complexity and horror of this tragic war with honesty and empathy.
July 7, 2013
“Chojun a novel” by Goran Powell is an engaging well spun tale based on the martial arts master Chojun Miyagi, who lived from 1888 to 1953. Powell weaves fact and fiction together in a believable and highly entertaining story about the renowned Okinawan karate master who founded Goju-Ryu Karate, and the fictional student, Kenichi Ota, who's point of view shares the adventure in this fictional memoir.
Any martial artist interested in history will be delighted with the way historical fact and literary fiction have skillfully been intertwined in a way that not only reveals much about what we know of Chojun Miyagi, but also imparts wisdom about the way of karate and the original teachings and philosophy of this distinguished martial art. One passage especially rang true with me and my beliefs regarding martial arts and warriorship, “The warrior doesn't seek death, he simply accepts its possibility – its inevitability even – with firm resolve. Once he has done this, he is free to engage in battle unburdened by fear for his life. In many ways it is an important way to preserve life.”
Written as a memoir, Powell draws the reader in from the very beginning when Ota starts off telling of his parted teacher, Chojun Miyagi, and how he is still beside him each day as he practices karate. He then goes back to their first meeting, years before when Ota was a boy, and continues the tale through out their lives and the impact karate and the Battle of Okinawa during World War II had on them both and their families. The story contains drama, love, loss, sadness and joy, just as does life. Not everything is wrapped up neatly with a tidy bow. Some things happened, that as a reader, I didn't want to happen. But again, that is how life goes sometimes. Historical events are accurately portrayed, as are some of the real-life figures from the war. Even some of the fictional characters are based on real-life happenings during those years. It makes a thin line between fact and fiction, which enhances the believability of the story and sometimes makes you for get it is a novel and not an actual memoir.
I thoroughly enjoyed reading this exceptional book. I recommend it highly to all who enjoy a good historical novel with a martial art theme. If you are a martial artist, especially a karateka, this book is a must read.
Any martial artist interested in history will be delighted with the way historical fact and literary fiction have skillfully been intertwined in a way that not only reveals much about what we know of Chojun Miyagi, but also imparts wisdom about the way of karate and the original teachings and philosophy of this distinguished martial art. One passage especially rang true with me and my beliefs regarding martial arts and warriorship, “The warrior doesn't seek death, he simply accepts its possibility – its inevitability even – with firm resolve. Once he has done this, he is free to engage in battle unburdened by fear for his life. In many ways it is an important way to preserve life.”
Written as a memoir, Powell draws the reader in from the very beginning when Ota starts off telling of his parted teacher, Chojun Miyagi, and how he is still beside him each day as he practices karate. He then goes back to their first meeting, years before when Ota was a boy, and continues the tale through out their lives and the impact karate and the Battle of Okinawa during World War II had on them both and their families. The story contains drama, love, loss, sadness and joy, just as does life. Not everything is wrapped up neatly with a tidy bow. Some things happened, that as a reader, I didn't want to happen. But again, that is how life goes sometimes. Historical events are accurately portrayed, as are some of the real-life figures from the war. Even some of the fictional characters are based on real-life happenings during those years. It makes a thin line between fact and fiction, which enhances the believability of the story and sometimes makes you for get it is a novel and not an actual memoir.
I thoroughly enjoyed reading this exceptional book. I recommend it highly to all who enjoy a good historical novel with a martial art theme. If you are a martial artist, especially a karateka, this book is a must read.
December 31, 2016
An interesting look at the history of Okinawa and an influential character in the world of Martial Arts and modern day Karate in paticular. Well worth a read If you have an interest in the subject matter.
March 7, 2013
Wow!
Goran Powell's done a wonderful job of writing up the story of the real Mr Miyagi. As someone who has practised karate (albeit a different style), I found his descriptions of Karate to be spot on, and his descriptions of life in Japan in the 40s ring true, based on other materials I've read.
The pace of the book is also very good- the chapters have a good flow to them, and the breaks are at very convenient spots, ideal for reading when you're likely to be interrupted. I found the story gripping too, as I ended up reading past my allotted reading time regularly.
The book is not full of fight sequences, but has some action nonetheless, and the portion of the story which falls into the American invasion of Okinawa does a brilliant job of describing this from the Japanese side. The story is more about the spiritual growth that comes with studying a martial art, and the attitude it encourages.
I would heartily recommend this book to anyone who has an interest in martial arts and philosophy, and will be looking at Goran's other writings.
Note that I'm deliberately keeping this review a little vague because I don't want to introduce spoilers, but, as it's semi-biographical book anyway, there aren't many surprises.
The book was a review copy via Goodreads First Reads.
Goran Powell's done a wonderful job of writing up the story of the real Mr Miyagi. As someone who has practised karate (albeit a different style), I found his descriptions of Karate to be spot on, and his descriptions of life in Japan in the 40s ring true, based on other materials I've read.
The pace of the book is also very good- the chapters have a good flow to them, and the breaks are at very convenient spots, ideal for reading when you're likely to be interrupted. I found the story gripping too, as I ended up reading past my allotted reading time regularly.
The book is not full of fight sequences, but has some action nonetheless, and the portion of the story which falls into the American invasion of Okinawa does a brilliant job of describing this from the Japanese side. The story is more about the spiritual growth that comes with studying a martial art, and the attitude it encourages.
I would heartily recommend this book to anyone who has an interest in martial arts and philosophy, and will be looking at Goran's other writings.
Note that I'm deliberately keeping this review a little vague because I don't want to introduce spoilers, but, as it's semi-biographical book anyway, there aren't many surprises.
The book was a review copy via Goodreads First Reads.
February 8, 2013
I was unable to put this book down. Goran Powell has intertwined the lives of two people, Chojun Miyagi--a real person and Kenichi Ota--a fictional one. It's a powerful, absorbing story of life before, during and after the invasion of Okinawa in World War II. The historical background is the battle of this island by the Japanese and American forces. But the powerful story is the story of Master Chojun and student Ota as they search for the deepest meaning of karate, and as Ota finds after the war, that he must fight to help rebuild the shattered hopes of his people as he preserves his master's art of karate. You may remember that Chojun Miyagi, founder of the Goju style of karate was the inspiration for the Mr. Miyagi of "The Karate Kid" films. But I think another author, Michael Clarke, (Art of Hojo Undo and Shin Gi Tai), summed up the book best, "To the martial artist interested in history, Chojun, reveals much about the WAY of karate." And for the rest of us, it's a great read with superb character development and storyline. Don’t miss reading this one.
April 8, 2013
I received a copy of this book from YMAA publishers for the purpose of reviewing the product.
I expected this to be a novel about karate and the protagonist's training in the art, his relationship with his sensei, his struggles, and so forth. What I found was a book that was so much more. Specifically, it goes into great detail of the events before and after the Battle Of Okinawa, how it impacted the protagonist, Ota Kenichi, his family, friends, civilians, etc. While karate was a very important principle in the book, I would be hesitant to call it a martial arts fiction book. It's really so much more than that. Ultimately, it's a well-written piece of fiction, with karate as a common thread through much of it. Kudos to Powell for a job well done.
I expected this to be a novel about karate and the protagonist's training in the art, his relationship with his sensei, his struggles, and so forth. What I found was a book that was so much more. Specifically, it goes into great detail of the events before and after the Battle Of Okinawa, how it impacted the protagonist, Ota Kenichi, his family, friends, civilians, etc. While karate was a very important principle in the book, I would be hesitant to call it a martial arts fiction book. It's really so much more than that. Ultimately, it's a well-written piece of fiction, with karate as a common thread through much of it. Kudos to Powell for a job well done.
March 28, 2016
"Chojun" is the story of Chojun Miyagi and the modern history of Karate as told through one of his students, Kenichi Ota. This historical novel spans pre and post WWII, but with the unique perspective of Okinawa and its people, who were only recently added to the Japanese nation.
I loved the historical knowledge and detail, especially of the Battle of Okinawa and post WWII with the American occupation. As a karateka, I loved reading a fictional account of its history and Goju-ryu, I couldn't put it down. I had a few issues with the writing organization and style, but these were insignificant to how much I enjoyed it, and look forward to reading more karate historical fiction.
I loved the historical knowledge and detail, especially of the Battle of Okinawa and post WWII with the American occupation. As a karateka, I loved reading a fictional account of its history and Goju-ryu, I couldn't put it down. I had a few issues with the writing organization and style, but these were insignificant to how much I enjoyed it, and look forward to reading more karate historical fiction.
August 29, 2015
As a student of history, karate, and human nature,I was captivated by Chojun. It is a well written fictionalized memoir.
The karate history is what initially interested me, but the Okinawan perspective on the Pacific war and the finely developed characters were what completely drew me in. The premise is obvious (and I wish that I had thought of it!) but the writing is solid and the emotions ring true.
I recommend it, strongly--especially for war buffs and karateka.
The karate history is what initially interested me, but the Okinawan perspective on the Pacific war and the finely developed characters were what completely drew me in. The premise is obvious (and I wish that I had thought of it!) but the writing is solid and the emotions ring true.
I recommend it, strongly--especially for war buffs and karateka.
January 19, 2016
This is the third and final book I will read for my trip to Okinawa. I was a bit disappointed by the content of this story. I was hoping for more Karate philosophy or something like that. In fact it was more history of the Battle of Okinawa which I've read about in two previous books already. I know that sensei Miyagi lived through this battle. Had I not already read about it, it would have been a more fresh story. Overall though, a good book.
March 16, 2013
I won this book as a Goodreads Giveaway and was thoroughly impressed. The author writes in a simple style that allows you to feel connected to the main character Kenichi Ota. Further, the novel provides an excellent perspective of what life was like on the island of Okinawa during the Second World War.
August 8, 2013
Aprendi sobre a origem do Goju-ryu, vida do Chojun Miyagi e ainda sobre os efeitos da 2ª guerra em Okinawa.
Presente da Tamy <3
Presente da Tamy <3
October 5, 2016
One of the best books I've read this year. Was crying in the end. Super recommendation.
Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews