Semi Detailed, Goju Ryu has a traceable lineage of 2000 years. The Chart in the section  is roughly from the 1800's till today.

Goju Ryu karate is said to display the oldest martial arts traditions. With a history that can be traced back almost 2000 years. Keeping the primitive traditional forms of martial arts yet full of fighting spirit.

The system is based on a concept that hard and stiff is not good, however all soft and gentle can be equally harmful. The two should complement each other. This combination of the two gives Goju Ryu its beauty, disciplined movements, grace and flowing form. But lest anyone believe that Goju is merely a beautiful style of the dance with little of the art of defense, he need only watch two Goju players square off in Kumite against one another.

Goju Ryu has received the most Chinese influence of all of the Japanese styles of karate followed closely by Shorin Ryu and Shito Ryu. With the ‘Go’ (hard or positive) and the ‘Ju’ (soft or negative) in consistent harmony, one equalizing the other as with the rest of the universe.

Through Goju Ryu training a simple act like blocking or striking will eventually occur naturally, a side effect of a pure of thought and mind and repetition.