RYUSHINKAN TEACHERS

SOKE UENO

Master & founder, All Japan Reiwaryu Ryushinkan Karate-Do
Soke Ueno founded Reiwaryu Ryushinkan in the early 1980's. He began his training in Kagoshima and moved to Tokyo to develop his art. Soke wanted to reflect the values of 'Rei' respect and 'Wa" harmony more deeply, naming his new organisation accordingly. Soke has a strong line of succession, from Okinawa KarateDo (Shorinji).

PETER CONNOLLY, KYOSHI

European Chief Instructor, So-Shihan. UK Founder

Connolly Kyoshi began training in 1974, stemming from a Wado Ryu background under Master Suzuki, and Kobayashi. He then studied Shorinji Ryu intensively in Japan under master Ueno, resulting in the introduction of Reiwaryu Ryushinkan to the UK in 1985.

TIM HOUGHTON, KYOSHI

Branch Head - Yanagi Branch England, Chief Instructor

Tim Kyoshi began training as a direct student of Peter Connolly  in 1989 at the age of 9. In 1995 Tim was awarded Shodan (1st Dan black belt) by Kyoshi Connolly, and began assisting his teacher during class. In 1998 Tim was awarded Nidan (2nd Dan) and opened 2 Dojos.

During a visit by Soke Ueno to the UK in 2001, Tim was requested to study in Japan. Since then Tim has visited Japan on 4 occasions and was awarded 6th Dan in December 2016 at the Tokyo HQ by master Ueno. Tim was encouraged to lead a new branch of Reiwaryu in the UK by master Ueno and his teacher Kyoshi Connolly, and so dedicated himself to this task, setting up a new UK branch in 2014.
 
Tim is passionate about Reiwaryu Karate-Do, and brings a high level of energy, commitment and enthusiasm to the students.

​As a qualified Hypnotherapist and Psychotherapist Tim has specialist skills, especially when working with children, in establishing confidence and self esteem. Students are encouraged to develop both mentally and physically through hard training and the practice of Karate-Do.

As well as taking on the capacity of chief instructor, Tim is also appointed as a head judge for international tournaments and sits on a senior panel of examiners in Japan.

JAMIE FERGUSON SENSEI

Shihan-Dai, Assistant Chief Instructor

Jamie Sensei began his training in 2001 with Tim Shihan and was graded to Shodan (1st Dan) in 2006.
Jamie has been instrumental in the opening of Dojos in Southwick, and Brighton.
Jamie is a strong KarateKa with great compassion and understanding for beginners and students. Jamie headed and opened a successful Dojo in Partridge Green, Sussex and now his students are preparing for Dan grade examinations. His ability to lead and teach students of all levels has been recognised by Soke Ueno and Kyoshi Connolly who commented on Jamie's great heart and dedication. Jamie Sensei is graded to 3rd Dan and is the assistant chief instructor of this branch (Shihan Dai).

ROSS PEACOCK SENSEI

Sensei, 2nd Dan

Ross is graded to 2nd Dan and assists during the class. Ross has great experience of running team orientated workshops and oversees major school events such as TaiKai (competition) and training camps.

PETER SMITH SENSEI

Sensei, 1st Dan

Peter started training when he was 8yrs old and received his black belt in 2007, at which time he had just joined the British Army as a Royal Engineer, Peter prepared for his Black belt grading in between his intensive military training.
 
Peter Smith Sensei has now served 8 years in the British Army reaching the rank of Corporal. Peter has served on operational tours of Iraq in 2008 and Afghanistan in 2011. Sensei Peter has told us that, having a Karate back ground made the transition into Army life a lot easier as he already had developed high levels of Discipline, physical fitness and importantly confidence.

Peter trains with us during military leave and continues to develop his skills as an excellent Karateka with an extremely high level of technical proficiency and fitness. Peter is a fantastic teacher of all ages and abilities.