The secret lies in refining the heart.

Meibukan (明武館), meaning "the house of the pure-hearted (or enlightened) warrior," is one of the traditional Karate schools of Okinawa. It was founded in 1952 by Meitoku Yagi (1912–2003), one of the most senior students of Chojun Miyagi (1888–1953), the founder of Goju-ryu ("hard and soft") Karate. Meibukan remains a family lineage school, passed down through generations, and is currently led by Akihito Yagi, grandson of the founder. The international organization, the International Meibukan Goju-Ryu Karate-do Association (IMGKA), was established by Meitatsu Yagi, the eldest son of Meitoku Yagi, and is now also under Akihito Yagi's leadership.

Meitoku Yagi was one of the few students of Chojun Miyagi entrusted with preserving and transmitting the art, making Meibukan one of the oldest and most direct lineages of Goju-ryu in Okinawa. Historical accounts also show connections between Meibukan and Gogen Yamaguchi, founder of the International Karate-do Gojukai Association (IKGA), who continued his training in Okinawa under Meitoku Yagi after Miyagi's passing.

At Meibukan, practitioners study not only the original Goju-ryu techniques and kata passed down from Miyagi, but also additional forms and methods developed by Meitoku Yagi. His research included studies in Chinese martial arts in Taiwan, which influenced the creation of the five Meibukan-specific kata known as Meibuken, as well as structured kumite systems such as Nihon Kumite, Kakomi Kumite, and Renzoku Kumite, expanding upon traditional training methods.

In addition to empty-hand techniques, Meibukan preserves Kobudo (traditional Okinawan weapons), incorporating weapons such as the Bo (staff) and Sai (trident-shaped short weapon) into Goju-ryu kata, creating seven Meibukan Kobudo kata in total. Altogether, the system includes an expanded body of kata that reflects both classical Goju-ryu and the innovations of Meitoku Yagi.

Meitoku Yagi's contributions to martial arts were widely recognized. In 1986 he was honored by the Japanese government for his cultural significance and named a Living National Treasure (Ningen Kokuhō) by Emperor Hirohito. Both he and his son chaired the All Okinawa Gojukai for decades, an important leadership role in Okinawan Karate.

Today, Meibukan maintains its independence from sport-focused governing bodies, preserving its traditional approach without external influence. The IMGKA now spans over 70 dojo branches across more than 20 countries. Metta Dojo is honored to represent the first and only official branch in Thailand since 2021.