Shishikai Dojo, Brisbane

Home

Shorinjiryu Australia
Dojo Information Shorinjiryu Shorinjiryu Australia Events Calendar News Terminology Gallery Links

 

[Under Construction]

Shorinjiryu Australia

History

Australian Shorinjiryu Karatedo was founded in 1977 by Shihan Laurence Vanniekirk (Lori Vann), a highly regarded practitioner of the Shitoryu style. Shihan Lori 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 Lori made contact with its author, Hanshi Masayuki Hisataka and shortly thereafter established Shorinjiryu Kenkokan Karatedo in Australia.

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

In the late-90's Shihan Phil retired as Chief Instructor, and at this time the role passed jointly to Shihan 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 Shihan Jim, Shihan Max and Renshi Des 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. Shihan Jim Griffin commenced training in Shorinjiryu in 1982, whilst Shihan Max Estens, Renshi Des Paroz and Renshi Lesley Griffin all commenced in 1983. Tasshi Graeme Bowden is our longest standing member, having been a member since the inception of the organisation in 1977.

Leadership

 

Shihan Jim Griffin, 7th Dan, is the Joint Chief Instructor of Shorinjiryu Koshinkai Karatedo Australia.

Shihan Jim runs the Seiryukan dojo on Bribie Island, and oversees all dojos in Queensland.

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

 

 

 

Shihan Max Estens, 6th Dan, is the Joint Chief Instructor of Shorinjiryu Koshinkai Karatedo Australia.

Shihan Max trains at the Kensuukan Dojo in Coonabarabran, NSW, and oversees the dojos in NSW and Victoria.

Shihan Max is well versed in the "soft" aspects of Shorinjiryu, and enjoys inflicting non-lethal pain through locks, holds and pressure points.

 

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

 

Renshi Lesley Griffin

5th 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

 

Renshi Des Paroz

5th Dan, Shorinjiryu Koshinkai Karatedo

Senior Instructor, Kengokan Dojo, Hunters Hill, NSW

National President, Australian Shorinjiryu Karatedo Association Inc

Promotions Director, International Shorinjiryu Shinzen Kyokai

 

 

The Australian Shorinjiryu Karatedo Association current National Executive Committee are:

                             

President            Renshi Des Paroz

                             

Vice President   Tasshi Tony Fletcher

                             

Secretary           Renshi Lesley Griffin

                             

Treasurer           Shihan Jim Griffin

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Councillor:        Shihan Max Estens

 

The Australian Shorinjiryu Karatedo Association currently has the following dojo:

Queensland

  • Kensuikan           Rockhampton (central Qld)

  • Seiryukan            Bribie Island, Qld

  • Shishikai            Coorparoo, Brisbane, Qld

  • Kazoku Dojo       Murgon, Qld

New South Wales

  • Kensuukan           Coonabarabran - NSW

  • Kengokan             Hunters Hill - NSW

Victoria

  • Melbourne            Kennankai

 

The Australian Shorinjiryu Karatedo Association Inc became a member of the International Shorinjiryu Shinzen Kyokai, a group bringing together various Shorinjiryu schools in friendship. The Shorinjiryu Shinzen Kyokai based in New York, is now the largest international body of schools teaching the Shorinjiryu style founded by Shinan Kori Hisataka.

   

 

Home ]

Send mail to webmaster@shishikai.com with questions or comments about this web site.