Rhys Collins
Rhys Collins is recognised by Shuri Dojo as a long-standing mentor and advisor, and as a valued friend whose guidance and example have contributed meaningfully to the dojo over many years.
This page exists to acknowledge mentorship and contribution. It does not imply instruction at Shuri Dojo or any governing role within the dojo.
Born in Swansea, Wales in 1951, Rhys Collins has devoted his life to karate and to the preservation of traditional Okinawan approaches to training. His path reflects long‑term study, cultural immersion, and a sustained commitment to doing things properly.
While living in Japan, Rhys studied at Waseda University in Tokyo and began karate training in 1969. During this period, he encountered Katsumi Tamaki sensei, an experience that strongly shaped his interest in Okinawan methods and the deeper roots of karate.
Returning to the United Kingdom in 1979 and settling in Bracknell, Berkshire, Rhys continued training and later reconnected with Tamaki sensei following Tamaki sensei’s relocation to the UK. This mentorship became a defining part of Rhys’s training life over the decades that followed.
Rhys is recognised as a senior instructor within Shinjin‑Ryū Okinawa‑Te under Katsumi Tamaki sensei, respected for both his character and his technical ability – calm, disciplined, and serious about the responsibilities that accompany knowledge and rank.
Sensei Collins instructs at the honbu dojo in Bracknell and is known for his dedication to the membership, his tireless efforts to bring out the best in everyone, and his long service to the association. He is the longest‑serving member of the Shinjin‑Ryū Okinawa‑Te Kyōkai, holding the rank of 9th dan and the senior title of Hanshi.
For Adam Carter, Rhys has been a close friend since the early 1980s and a mentor whose influence has remained important both personally and in the development of the Shuri Dojo.
With thanks to Rhys Collins for his guidance and friendship.