At the Shuri Dojo, our approach to Okinawan karate is grounded in over fifty years of study, training, and teaching. Our emphasis lies in practical application - karate that works, shaped by firsthand experience and a continued search for understanding. While we maintain valuable relationships within the wider martial arts community, what we teach comes from years of independent research and lived practice.
Shuri Dojo maintains connections with individuals and organisations who share an interest in the study of traditional Okinawan karate, based on mutual respect and shared values rather than hierarchy.
Shuri Dojo is the founding dojo of the Shuri Dojo International Kyokai (Shuri Dojo Kokusai Kyokai).
The Kyokai is a study-based association created to support the practice, research, and preservation of pragmatic Okinawan karate. It is not a governing body, not a style, and not a rank-awarding organisation. Its purpose is to encourage thoughtful practice, honest inquiry, and functional understanding rooted in context.
Affiliation reflects shared principles rather than conformity. Shuri Dojo remains an independent dojo; the Kyokai exists to support study and connection beyond the physical training space.
Affiliation with the Kyokai is by invitation or personal connection, based on shared values and approach rather than rank.
To support our mission as a pragmatic karate dojo, Adam Carter is a member of the IRKRS, established in 1989 in Japan by Patrick McCarthy, 10th dan Hanshi. The IRKRS is an information-based society dedicated to researching the origins, evolution, and tactical application theories of old-school (koryu) karate and kobudo.
The IRKRS, located in Okinawa, offers an incredibly deep insight into the cultural heritage and practices of the karate pioneers, linking the original practices and intent to modern day practice. Hanshi McCarthy and the IRKRS has accumulated an incredible historic compilation of old school karate practices.
An association that began in 1981 and has continued to this day was clearly acknowledged in September 2023, when I began a mentorship and exchange with Katsumi Tamaki sensei, 10th dan of Shinjin-Ryu Okinawa-Te Kyokai.
While Shuri Dojo is authorised and operates independently, and is not formally affiliated with his organisation, this relationship has provided valuable perspective and insight through shared discussion and experience. Our interaction is based on mutual respect and ongoing dialogue, rather than organisational membership or administrative oversight.
