65 Years of Shorinjiryu Karatedo

Today, 10 June, marks the 65th anniversary of the formal founding of the Shorinjiryu Karatedo lineage of Kaiso Kori Hisataka (1907-1988).

On 10 June, 1947, Kaiso Hisataka established the his original Kenkokan Dojo of Shorinjiryu Karatedo on the island of Kyushu, Japan. He later moved his Kenkokan Dojo to Tokyo, Japan.

Of course, this is the date of official inception, but the Shorinjiryu style was obviously in development for a long time before that. In fact, the term Shorinjiryu is the Japanese pronunciation of the Okinawan term Sukunaihayashi, which was used by Master Chotoku Kyan (1870-1945), the principle teacher of Kaiso Hisataka.

With 2012 marking the 65th anniversary of the formal founding of Shorinjiryu style of Kaiso Hisataka, the 35th anniversary of the establishment of Australian Shorinjiryu Karatedo, and the 1st anniversary of the founding of the Koshinkai school of Shorinjiryu Karatedo, it is a good time to reflect on the past as we continue to develop a strong future. This truly reflects our motto of On Ko Chi Shin ("Examine the Past to Discover the New")

SE Queensland Training Day

Karateka from across Queensland converged at Kazoku Dojo in Murgon to take part in the Winter 2012 SEQ Training and Grading Day on 3 June.  Rain from the previous day and night kept the temperature at a beautiful level for training.

Sensei Leanne Sippel was honoured to welcome Kyoshi Jim Griffin and Shihan Lesley Griffin from Seiryukan Dojo at Bribie Island, Tasshi Tony Fletcher from Shishikai Dojo at Gladstone, Sensei Mark Slingo from Kensuikan Dojo at Rockhampton, Sempai Ben Oliphant from Shishijuku Dojo at Coorparoo along with their students.

After the bow-in and welcome, the karateka were split into three groups with the white belts (who ranged in age from 5 to 9 years) learning Kata Naihanchin Sho and Naihanchin Sho Waza from Sensei Anne Kratzmann and Sempai Ben.  The second group was taught Kata Sanchin by Kyoshi Jim while Shihan Lesley taught Naihanchin Waza to Sensei Leanne.

Demonstrations by the white belts of the recently learnt kata and kumite followed.  Kyoshi Jim then personally congratulated each child, after which all except the older karateka bowed out.  Demonstrations of Kata Sanchin by group two and Naihanchin Waza by Shihan Lesley and Sensei Leanne were then conducted.

The second session saw Kyoshi Jim lead the group through fighting techniques with the assistance of Tasshi Tony.

The basics of mawari kata along with learning awareness of opportune times of attack were demonstrated, ending in sparring with partners.

In the third session, Kyoshi Jim worked through Ufuchiku no Jo with Sensei Leanne, while Tasshi Tony led the rest of the group through Kata Nijushiho.  Demonstrations of both kata preceded a short lunch break.

The grading commenced at 1pm with six students from Kazoku Dojo demonstrating kihon waza, kata, kumite and gokyo.  With all six aged 11 or under, it was a commendable performance for this young group.

The day wrapped up with presentations of certificates and belts before all participants packed their gear and began the, for some, long journey home.

All in all, a wonderful day of shared learning with our Shorinjiryu Koshinkai Australia ‘family’

April 2012 Yudansha Promotions

At the National Training Camp on the weekend of 20–22 April, a number of Yudansha and Kodansha tests and presentations were conducted in front of a panel consisting of Hanshi Myron Lubitsch (President of the International Shorinjiryu Shinzen Kyokai, and Shorinjiryu Koshinkai advisory council member), Shihan Jim Griffin (Joint Chief Instructor, Shorinjiryu Koshinkai), Shihan Jeffrey Henderson (Chief Instructor, International Budo Institute) and Shihan Troy Lester (Shorinjiryu Kenryukan).

As a result, the following promotions were confirmed:

• Max Estens, 7th Dan Shihan
• Des Paroz, 6th Dan Shihan
• Lesley Griffin, 6th Dan Shihan
• Graeme Bowden, 5th Dan Renshi
• Marnie Roberts, 4th Dan Tasshi
• Amanda Bugden, 3rd Dan
• Adrian Cepak, 2nd Dan

In addition, four people tested for Shodan Ho, and were presented with their probational black belts, as follows:

• Clinton Andrews
• Dee Foster
• Chrissy Hanley
• Ben Oliphant

These four individuals will continue to consolidate and prepare for their promotion to Shodan in 12 months time.

Following the presentations of the above, Hanshi Lubitsch made the surprise announcement granting the title Kyoshi to Shihan Jim Griffin.

Celebrating 35 Years of Shorinjiryu Karatedo in Australia

Over the weekend of the 20-22 April, members of the Australian Shorinjiryu Karatedo Association celebrated a major milestone in the practice of Shorinjiryu Karatedo in Australia - its 35th Anniversary.

Founded by Shihan Lori Vanniekirk in 1977 as a branch of the Shorinjiryu Kenkokan Karatedo So Hombu Dojo in Tokyo, Japan, Australian Shorinjiryu Karatedo has been practiced continuously since that time by the instructors and members of the Australian Shorinjiryu Karatedo Association Inc.

During the National Camp of Shorinjiryu Koshinkai Karatedo (the school of Shorinjiryu Karatedo taught by the Australian Shorinjiryu Karatedo Association), the 35th Anniversary was celebrated by the members at a special dinner on the Friday night, and at a specially prepared Saturday evening meal and presentation evening.

We were honoured to be joined for this special occasion by international visitors including Hanshi Myron Lubitsch, 9th Dan, and Shihan Troy Lester, 6th Dan, of the Shorinjiryu Kenryukan in New York, and Shihan Jeffrey Henderson, 6th Dan, of the International Budo Institute, along with the instructors and members of all dojo of Shorinjiryu Koshinkai Karatedo in Australia.

The Australian Shorinjiryu Karatedo Association is the original association of Shorinjiryu Karatedo in Australia, and has operated continuously since the organisation was formed in 1977. With 8 active dojo along the east coast of Australia, we are proud to represent the largest group of Australian instructors and practitioners ofShorinjiryu Karatedo as founded by Kaiso Kori Hisatsaka (1907-1988).

In celebrating the 35th Anniversary, the instructors and members paused to thank those that have paved the way for our current practice. These include:

• The founder of Shorinjiryu Kenkokan Karatedo, Kaiso Kori Hisataka (1907-1988)
• The international head master of Shorinjiryu Kenkokan Karatedo, So Shihan Masayuki Hisataka (with whom we were affiliated from 1977 to 1995)
• The chief instructor of Shorinjiryu Kenyukai Watanabe Ha, Kaicho Shunji Watanabe (with whom were affiliated from 2007 to 2011)
• The founder and President of the International Shorinjiryu Shinzen Kyokai, Hanshi Myron Lubitsch
• The founder of Australian Shorinjiryu Karatedo, Shihan Lori Vanniekirk
• The patron Australian Shorinjiryu Karatedo, Shihan Phil Hooper (retired)
• Current chief instructors Kyoshi Jim Griffin and Shihan Max Estens
• The current and former instructors and members of Australian Shorinjiryu Karatedo

This is an important milestone, not only because of the history it represents, but the fact that this history provides the foundation for our continued growth into the future.

Happy New Year

Akemashite omedeto gozaimasu

Wishing everyone all the best for a happy, safe and successful New Year.

2012 marks the 35th anniversary of Australian Shorinjiryu Karatedo, and we will be celebrating throughout the year at different events.

An anniversary like this is a good time for us to show our appreciation for the people who have paved the way for the karate we practice today in Shorinjiryu Koshinkai Karatedo. These people should include:

• The founder of Shorinjiryu Kenkokan Karatedo, Kaiso Kori Hisataka
• Our former headmasters, So Shihan Masayuki Hisataka (Kenkokan) and Kaicho Shunji Watanabe (Kenyukai Watanabe-Ha) for their guidance and example
• The founder of Australian Shorinjiryu Karatedo, Shihan Lori Vanniekirk
• Our former chief instructors, Shihan Phil Hooper and Shihan Scott Brown
• Our current chief instructors, Shihan Jim Griffin and Shihan Max Estens
• All the dojo instructors, present and past

And most importantly, all the past and present members of Shorinjiryu in Australia (including the above) for helping us with our training, guiding us, and pushing us to improve.

So please join me saying a big arigato goziamasu to all these people. The best way we can do this of course, is to train hard in 2012, helping to make Shorinjiryu Koshinkai Karatedo even stronger by building on the platform they have given us.