Please note we are currently teaching from our private home dojo (see note below).
Classes are by appointment only.
The symbol that is synonymous with Okinawan karate worldwide is the original coat-of-arms of the Royal Sho Family of Ryukyu, the "Hidari-gomon", found to be used extensively in dojo and association emblems. It was in use generations prior to being adopted by many karate dojo and associations as their official symbol.
Our dojo crest below, consists of an outer area where we have the kanji for "RyuKyu Karate Kobudo". Ryukyu (琉球), the name for the islands of Okinawa, the birthplace of karate, before Japanese annexation in 1879. On the lower portion we have the name of our dojo.
The inner gold ring is chosen to represent a closed "Enso" (円相). Enso a Japanese word meaning “circle” and a concept strongly associated with Zen. It symbolizes a moment when the mind is free enough to simply let the body or spirit create. We also use it to symbolize circular movement in our training.
The Hidari-gomon in the center, we see as being a representation of the roots of our Karate, Okinawa.
The fist represents the power and strength of karate, kenpo, chuan-fa, china-hand, and many other names by which martial arts are known all over the world. It is the universal symbol for karate in modern times, and it is the symbol used, along with the vines, by our mentor Tamaki-sensei of Shinjin-Ryu Okinawa-Te Kenpo-Jutsu.
The crossed "Sai" represent our rich heritage in Okinawan weaponry and the skill necessary to learn and excel in kobudo. Our kobudo originates from Ryukyu Kobudo Tesshinkan and Hidemi Tamayose - sensei.
The name of our Dojo, the SHURI DOJO, is hugely significant within the traditional martial art of karate from Okinawa. (Note that we do NOT practice the modern Shuri-Ryu karate)
Karate, originally developed on the small island of Okinawa, was the birth place of much of the karate we see today. However, with karate being introduced to the mainland of Japan in the late 1920's, much of what we see as karate today is not the original "old ways" (Koryu) karate. Formerly known as "Tode", "Ti" or "Te".
Today most karate schools teach a modern sport orientated karate, with much of the original techniques removed or at least unrelated to any form of self-defence.
For most dojo the kata are seen as a way to pass an exam and obtain the next belt, rather than the complete self-protection system, the two-person drills that the classical kata, with the effective techniques, contained within them.
At the time most of the karate on the island of Okinawa was of the "Koryu" (old ways) school of training. The kata and techniques were developed to protect their lives in an uncertain and often dangerous environment. The SHURI DOJO is dedicated to promoting and preserving these "old ways".
We do not accept all applications for membership. Our dojo follows the older Okinawan tradition of training from a small home based dojo. We have a selective student intake on a periodic basis. Traditional training is typically limited to small, dedicated groups of students, who are seeking to achieve a high level of disciplined, skills and values. Therefore preserving the culture and foundation of our art.
Note for experienced martial artists: This is a private dojo that is not open to visitors without first gaining permission to train. The dojo exists to take beginners from white belt onwards. It does not cater to experienced martial artists looking for one-off training or transferring from another style.
