Shorinjiryu Koshinkai Karatedo Launched

The Australian Shorinjiryu Karatedo Association was formed over 30 years ago as an organization to preserve, teach and develop the Shorinjiryu Karatedo of Kaiso Kori Hisataka throughout Australia. For the first 16 years of our existence, we were the official branch of the hombu dojo of Shorinjiryu Kenkokan Karatedo, under the leadership of Kaiso Kori Hisataka and later his son, Hanshi Masayuki Hisataka. Most of our current senior instructors had the origins in the organization at that time.

In 1994, Australian Shorinjiryu Karatedo became an independent organization based largely on the teachings of Shorinjiryu Kenkokan Karatedo.

In 2000, we joined the International Shorinjiryu Shinzen Kyokai, and then in 2007 we became part of the Shorinjiryu Kenyukai Watanabe Ha World Federation. This was a great chance for us to continue to develop our Shorinjiryu practices under the leadership of Hanshi Shunji Watanabe, a direct student of the founder. In the 4 years of our working with Hanshi Watanabe we have learned a lot about the original Shorinjiryu.

On 25 March 2011, the Chief Instructors of the Australian Shorinjiryu Karatedo Association have made the decision to re-establish the independence of our organisation, and to form a new school - Shorinjiryu Koshinkai Karatedo - of Shorinjiryu that combines the teachings of Hanshi Watanabe and Hanshi Hisataka.   This decision has the unanimous support of the Executive Committee.

Our organization shall continue to be known as the Australian Shorinjiryu Karatedo Association, while our “school” of Shorinjiryu shall be known as Shorinjiryu Koshinkai Karatedo. Koshinkai means the “old (ko) and new (shin) group (kai)”. We believe that this new name accurately reflects the contributions of our current and former leadership and provides a path forward.

Melbourne Grading December 2010

On Thursday 16 December, Renshi Des Paroz and Sensei Marnie Roberts conducted a grading for 7 students at the Kennankan Dojo in Melbourne. Each of the students showed good improvement since their last promotion, and they can be proud of themselves. Sensei Marnie was certainly very proud of them!

Congratulations to each for their promotions as follows:

• Deji Balogun - 4th Kyu Green Belt
• Olivia Grech - 6th Kyu Orange Belt
• Daniela Krstevski - 6th Kyu Orange Belt
• Gabriella Balogun - 6th Kyu Orange Belt
• Olivia Heisler-Roberts - 6th Kyu Orange Belt
• Jayde Shield - 6th Kyu Orange Belt
• Harry Langdon - 6th Kyu Orange Belt

Also congratulations to Madison Binns who was promoted to 9th Kyu White Belt Yellow Tip. Although not grading, she joined in a demonstrated with the others and showed great progress.

SEQ TRAINING & GRADING CAMP

The Kenyukai Watanabe Ha Karate Qld Branch held it's end of year training camp at Kallangur on Sunday the 5th Dec. Members from the Seiryukan, Shishikan, Seishin Juku and Kazoku dojo attended.

The overcast and wet day started off with a good warmup session lead by Senpai John followed by Kihon Waza lead by Sensei Jason.

The main session by Shihan Jim got under way with an in-depth explanation and instruction on Nijushiho no kata (Kaicho version). This was an excellent session and everyone enjoyed learning this new kata with a great deal of enthusiasm

The second session lead by Sensei Tony covered Nijushiho no Waza and along with Sensei Jason, went through the finer points of this kumite

The afternoon training covered various kata and kumite review sessions inluding assistance for those students who were grading.

Under the grading panel of Shihan Jim, Renshi Lesley and Sensei's Tony, Jason and Leanne, Mudansha from Seiryukan, Shishikan and Kazoku were tested with all passing and promoted to their next level.

(Pictures to follow)

Kensuikan Dojo (Rockhampton) Reopening

Sensei Mark Slingo has advised that the Kensuikan Dojo in Rockhampton will reopen on Tuesday 7 December 2010, and will be training each Tuesday from 6:30-8:00pm.

The Kensuikan Dojo will be training at the CQU Community Sports Complex within the CQ University, Rockhamton.

We wish Sensei Mark and the members of the Kensuikan the very best of success in their new location.

New Website

Welcome to the newly relaunched website of Shorinjiryu Kenyukai Watanabe Ha Karate Australia.

All the content of the old site has been carried forward, with new additions and features to be progressively added.

The new site has been fine tuned to incorporate a greater look and feel that is commensurate with our connections to the Shorinjiryu Kenyukai Watanabe Ha World Federation, under the leadership of Hanshi Watanabe, whilst incorporating the sporting colours of Australia.

We welcome any comments and suggestions, and look forward to being able to provide up-to-date content and information about our activities.