Much of karate has been watered down over the last century. In the 1920s, it was Japanese government interference. In the 70’s, it became a mainstream sport. And since the 1980’s, poorly trained instructors with little real self-defence knowledge have turned the art into nothing more than an alternative fitness regime.
At Tsubokai, we don’t do sport karate. We teach a hard-hitting, fast-flowing, close-quarters system for self-defence.
Effective from your first lesson
We call our karate style “Shorei Kempo” which translates as the “Way of the Shining Spirit Fist”. Developed and taught over the last 15 years by Chief Instructor Alan Wolfenden, 6th Dan, Shorei Kempo is a complete self-defence system ideal for people of all ages, heights and builds.
Train with us and learn how to:
- Develop powerful short-range punches
- Deliver rapid open-handed strikes
- Close in with elbows and knees
- Disable with practical low-level kicks
- Find and activate pressure points
- Anticipate an opponent’s attack
- Control with joint locks
- Deal with multiple and armed attackers
- Handle traditional weapons
Come down or view our video gallery for more.
The origins of our system
Shorei Kempo-Karate is based on the now forgotten fighting system Shorei Ryu, meaning “shining spirit tradition”. This hybrid system was imported into Okinawa in the early 1800s. It developed from core styles from China dating back to the 1600s and earlier. These include the South Shaolin Lohan Chuan and related fighting arts of White Crane, Southern Mantis and Grand Ancestor Fist.
At Tsubokai we have reintroduced these old techniques and theories from the South Shaolin systems and returned the fighting art of Okinawan Karate to its former glory. Our aim is to achieve the level of respect that the system and its ancient creators rightly deserve.
