Kenichi Ota, the narrator, opens the story by describing his former Karate master, Chojun Miyagi. He was a man who really devoted himself to his practice. After his master's death, Ota explains he has dedicated his life to fulfilling the old man's dream of establishing Goju-Ryo Karate in Japan.
When Ota first learned about Miyagi, he determined to become one of his students. Still a boy, he approaches Miyagi and begs him to teach him. A man of few words, Miyagi silently accepts the proposition. He begins by telling Ota to stand upon a beach as a typhoon approaches and not to move until the typhoon has passed. When Ota successfully withstands the awesome force of the typhoon, he receives his master's approval. This is only the first in a seemingly endless series of trials which Miyagi puts Ota through in order to become a Karate master like himself.
As an adult, Ota accompanies Miyagi to China. They are trying to learn more about the ancient art of Karate and what its preservations really means. When they return to Japan, they hear about Japan's attack on Pearl Harbor. Now Japan is heavily involved in WWI. Everyone in Okinawa instantly understands that their city will eventually be destroyed because of the great strength of the American military. Colonel Yahara drafts Ota into the Japanese Army and puts him in charge of the defense of Okinawa. Drastically under-qualified for the position, Ota does his best to prepare for the inevitable attack, but all the while he knows that city will fall.
After surviving the center attack of the Battle for Okinawa, Ota is forever changed. In the aftermath of the war, Okinawa is transformed into a foreign pit of brothels, bars, and political corruption. The entire city departs from its ancient traditions in the light of this devastating loss. Miyagi and Ota work together to try and preserve Goju-Ryo Karate amid the tumultuous economy and society of post-WWII Japan.
