Wu Xian Gui (吳賢貴)—known in Okinawa as Go Kenki (or Go Genki)—was a Chinese martial artist born in 1886 in Fuzhou, Fujian Province, China. A devoted practitioner of Minghe Quan (鳴鶴拳 – “Crying Crane Boxing”), Wu later immigrated to Okinawa, where he lived as a tea merchant. Though his official trade was in tea, his true influence came through his quiet but profound role in transmitting Chinese martial arts knowledge to Okinawan karate masters. His teachings helped shape the development of several advanced kata and deepened the connection between Chinese and Okinawan martial traditions.
On Okinawa, Go Kenki became a respected yet reserved figure in the martial arts community. He did not advertise his skills publicly and instead chose to teach only a select few students who demonstrated sincerity and dedication. Among these students were two of the most important figures in modern karate: Kenwa Mabuni, founder of Shitō-ryū, and Chōjun Miyagi, founder of Gōjū-ryū. Through his mentorship, they were introduced to concepts such as breathing methods (ibuki), internal energy control, circular techniques, and the soft-hard dynamic that distinguishes Minghe boxing from other forms of martial arts.
Go Kenki’s influence is particularly evident in the kata he transmitted or inspired. His teachings helped preserve Chinese-origin forms such as Nipaipo, Papuren (Chinese: Babulian, a fundamental form in Minghe), Hakucho, Haffa, and various versions of Hakutsuru (White Crane). These kata incorporate unique Chinese elements such as whipping strikes, evasive footwork, and precise breath-timing—hallmarks of the Minghe tradition. While these forms may have been modified slightly to fit within the framework of Okinawan karate, their Chinese essence remains intact and is studied by advanced practitioners today.
Though Go Kenki never created a formal karate style, his legacy is unmistakable. His students—particularly Mabuni and Miyagi—integrated his teachings into their own systems, ensuring that Crying Crane principles became embedded in the DNA of Shitō-ryū and Gōjū-ryū. Go Kenki passed away in 1940, but through these students and the kata they preserved, his influence lives on. He remains a symbol of the cultural and martial bridge between Fujian, China, and Okinawa, and his quiet contributions continue to resonate in dojos around the world.
