Training times shall be:

• Tuesday 6.30pm – 8.00pm
• Thursday 6.30pm – 8.00pm

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.

We’re on the way back to Sydney or recovering from a big weekend, and there will be no training on Tuesday 24 April.

Look forward to seeing everyone on Thursday.

As a result of their hard work and diligence, we are pleased to announce the following promotions:
- Steve Makin, 4th Kyu Green Belt
- Julie Tan, 4th Kyu Green Belt
- Scott Tan, 4th Kyu Green Belt

We look forward to seeing the continued progress of these karateka.

For the past few weeks our normal location for the Kengokan Dojo, Fairland Hall in Hunters Hill, has been undergoing renovations. The photo at right shows that among the renovations are a new ramp at the front entrance.

As of today, 28 February, training will return to Fairland Hall.

I look forward to seeing everyone back at our usual location, and I am sure we are all eager to see the results of the renovations.

Information on finding the dojo can be found on our Dojo Location page.

This change of time will allow our members to get to the dojo more relaxed from work.

The Thursday sessions will continue to commence at 6.30pm.

Sensei Jo, Julie, Steven and Scott joined me for a sweaty session focusing on the kata Nijushiho.

Nijushiho is new to all three orange belts, and they’ve tackled it enthusiastically. They’ve worked their way through the entire kata (both “sides”), and are bedding it down into their memories. Of course, having learned a variety of self-defences taken straight from this kata, they’re well on their way!

The Henley Community Centre is a nice interim location, and we’re looking forward to the fresh perspective a change of venue will give us.

The interim location for the Kengokan dojo is:

Henley Community Centre (former Henley Bowling Club)
2 Crown Street (corner of Victoria Road)
Henley NSW 2110

Coming from the city, Crown Street is the second street on the left after the Gladesville Bridge. Turn into Crown Street, and the entrance is the second lane on the left, and is marked “Riveside Pre School”. Drive down the laneway, going straight past the pre-school until you get to the old bowling club. There is plenty of parking.

Our training will be in the old bar, which is the room immediately on the right as you go through the main entrance.

Following the Japanese traditions, this session was our Kagami Biraki session. As discussed in the New Years Greetings post, Kagami Biraki means opening the mirror, and symbolises the introspection associated with the New Years period in most cultures, and also the end of the New Years festivities, and the “getting-on-with-it” of training.

For our session, we each completed a full training session, which included:

• 108 star jumps
• 108 blocks
• 108 punches
• 108 kicks

Looking forward to seeing everyone, and to working out the excesses of the holiday season!