Shorinjiryu Koshinkai Karatedo Australia

History

Australian Shorinjiryu Karatedo was founded in 1977 by Shihan Laurence Vanniekirk (Lori Vann), a highly regarded practitioner of the Shitoryu style. Shihan Vanniekirk previously established branches of Tani Ha Shitoryu Shukokai in South Africa and Australia, before setting up the Renbukan school in Australia. After reading the book Scientific Karatedo, Shihan Vanniekirk made contact with its author, Hanshi Masayuki Hisataka and shortly thereafter established Shorinjiryu Kenkokan Karatedo in Australia.

Shihan Vanniekirk retired as Chief Instructor in the late 1980's, with the role passing jointly to Shihan Phil Hooper and Shihan Scott Brown. Shihan Hooper took over as sole chief instructor in 1994, when Shihan Brown stepped aside. In 1995, Australian Shorinjiryu Karatedo became independent from the Shorinjiryu Kenkokan organisation.

In the late-90's Shihan Hooper retired as Chief Instructor, and at this time the role passed jointly to Kyoshi Jim Griffin and Shihan Max Estens. These gentlemen serve as joint Chief Instructors to this day.

In 2001, Australian Shorinjiryu Karatedo became a member of the International Shorinjiryu Shinzen Kyokai, an umbrella organisation for various Shorinjiryu schools based out of New York. In 2003, 2004 and 2006, various Australian Shorinjiryu Karatedo members have participated in the annual Shorinjiryu Shinzen Shiai - a large international tournament that is described as a gathering of the family of Shorinjiryu practitioners, worldwide.

In 2006, a small entourage of Australian members, lead by Kyoshi Griffin, Kyoshi Estens and Shihan Des Paroz visited the dojo of Hanshi Shunji Watanabe in Baltimore. This occasion was a wonderful opportunity to learn directly from another of the direct senior students of the founder of Shorinjiryu. Hanshi Watanabe returned the compliment by visiting us in Australia in 2007, at which time he invited the Australian Shorinjiryu Karatedo to become his students and a member of his Federation.

In March 2011 the Australian Shorinjiryu Karatedo organisation re-established its own identity as an independent organisation, forming a school known as Shorinjiryu Koshinkai Karatedo. With over 3 decades of studying, preserving and developing Shorinjiryu Karatedo, and with direct learning from the two leading students of the founder, Hanshi Masayuki Hisataka and Hanshi Shunji Watanabe, the Koshinkai school of Shorinjiryu reflects the blending of the old (Ko) and the new (shin).

Over the years, Shorinjiryu Australia is proud to have had many members achieve highly in their martial studies. Please see our Dan Grade Register to see the list of those of who have earned black belts in our organisation. We are proud that many have achieved highly in international competitions, such as the annual Shorinjiryu Shinzen Shiai held in New York, and various tournaments utilising the Koshiki competition system.

We are also proud that most of our senior instructors have been long standing members of our organisation. Kyoshi Griffin and Kyoshi Estens commenced training in Shorinjiryu in 1982, whilst Shihan Paroz and Shihan Lesley Griffin commenced in 1983. Renshi Graeme Bowden is our longest standing member, having been a member since the inception of the organisation in 1977.

Leadership

Kyoshi Jim Griffin, 8th Dan, is the Joint Chief Instructor of Shorinjiryu Koshinkai Karatedo Australia.

Kyoshi Jim is the Head Instructor of the Seiryukan dojo on Bribie Island.

Kyoshi Jim enjoys the study of the Japanese sword as an adjunct to his karate training.

National Treasurer, Australian Shorinjiryu Karatedo Association Inc

 

    

Kyoshi Des Paroz, 7th Dan, is the Joint Chief Instructor of Shorinjiryu Koshinkai Karatedo Australia

Kyoshi Des is the Head Instructor, Kengokan Dojo, Canberra, ACT

National Vice President, Australian Shorinjiryu Karatedo Association Inc

 

 

Senior Advisory Council

The Senior Advisory Council for Shorinjiryu Koshinkai Karatedo Australia provides advice and support for the Chief Instructors. The Senior Advisory Council comprises:

 

Hanshi Myron Lubitsch

  • 9th Dan, Shorinjiryu Kenryukan Karate
  • Chief Instructor, Shorinjiryu Kenryukan Karate, Brooklyn, NY, USA
  • President, International Shorinjiryu Shinzen Kyokai

 

Kyoshi Lesley Griffin

  • 7th Dan, Shorinjiryu Koshinkai Karatedo
  • Senior Instructor, Seiryukan Dojo, Bribie Island, Qld
  • National Secretary, Australian Shorinjiryu Karatedo Association Inc
  • Inaugural recipient of the Black Belt of the Year award in 2005

 

 Shihan Graeme Bowden

  • 6th Dan, Shorinjiryu Koshinkai Karatedo
  • Former World Koshiki Karate Champion

 

 

Australian Shorinjiryu Karatedo Association Inc. National Executive

The National Executive Committee for the 2024-2025 year for the Australian Shorinjiryu Karatedo Association Inc is made up of the following individuals. Elections for executive positions are held annually at the AGM of the Association.

  • National President: Shihan Tony Fletcher
  • National Vice President: Kyoshi Des Paroz
  • National Treasurer: Kyoshi Jim Griffin
  • National Secretary: Kyoshi Lesley Griffin
  • Councillor: Renshi Dean McKernan