What makes us unique?

About

We think that it is important to be transparent about who we are and what we do.

Who Are We?

Oubaitori Karate Kickboxing

Family run, non-profit

A hybrid of Tani-ha Shitoryu Karate and Modern Kickboxing.

We train and compete in traditional Karate disciplines, we also compete in Kickboxing/WAKO disciplines, such as points fighting, continuous, and kick light.

Small enough to care, mature enough to get Governance and Safeguarding right, experienced enough to teach what works.

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The 5Cs

Our culture is very important to us. We have developed the 5Cs, which are foundational in how our club operates.

Combat

Everything practical, everything pressure tested. No magic tricks, no unrealistic intricacy.

Whether sport or self defence, everything we do keeps the “martial” at the forefront.

Condition

Training must prepare our body and our mind for combat. Strength, stamina, endurance, discipline, strategy.

The hallmarks of a great martial artist are in their dedication to preparation.

Competition

We believe in “Wabi Sabi” – nothing is forever, nothing is perfect, nothing is finished. Karate is a lifelong pursuit for those who choose to undertake it. The learning is never done, the techniques are never perfect. The unending nature is beautiful

With ourselves, every day, every lesson we aim to be better than we were before.

Oubaitori means that we don’t compare to others, just ourselves.

Community

We rise together, one club, unified in purpose. Steel sharpens steel. Respect and loyalty do not run upwards, they run in every direction.

The dojo is not a shrine of hero-worship to a hierarchy. It is a place of mutual respect and improvement.

Compassion

For ourselves and for others. Leading with empathy and understanding Oubaitori and Wabi-Sabi.

Nothing is perfect, nothing is forever, nothing is finished. Keep working, be kind to yourself, and look after your club mates.

Our History

We embrace our lineage and history, we believe it is important that students understand that the instructors of today could not have been there if not for the long line of instructors before them.

Here we tell a very short version of the history behind Oubaitori Karate Club. It would take a book to describe the full history.

In modern times, our journeys cross paths with many, from many other styles of Karate. All of these styles have their own unique histories and ways of training. We embrace their history, and our shared future. These encounters and relationships with other clubs steers our future to a collaborative way, and influences the way we train and compete together.

At the end of each lesson we honour those who came before us, and those who have and will come after us, with the following;
Sensei-ni domo arigatogozaimasu gozaimashita. Rei!
Senpai-ni gozaimashita gozaimasu. Rei!

This translates as;
Thank you very much to the teacher. [Bow]
Thank you very much to my senior. [Bow]

It is worth noting that Rei does not literally translate to bow but instead, to expressing gratitude and respect.

The Story

Oubaitori Karate Club formed from within ToriKai Martial Arts Association* and ran inside the association until irreconcilable differences lead to Oubaitori Karate Club’s departure in November 2023.

ToriKai Martial Arts Association* is run by Brian Whatford and Neil Flowers, having taken over Falcon Karate Club from Senseis Dave and George Ritchie, when Sensei Dave emigrated.

Falcon Karate Club (FKC) was part of Tori Kai Karate Association*. Sensei George and Sensei Dave originally trained under Kofukan International*, run by Shihans Keiji Tomiyama and Naoki Omi, under Sensei Terry Murthwaite.

Shihans Tomiyama and Omi were direct students of Soke Chojiro Tani, founder of Shukokai (teaching Tani-ha Shitoryu).

Master Tani was a direct student of Kenwa Mabuni, founder of Shitoryu Karate, and Chojun Miyagi, founder of Goju-ryu Karate. Tani-ha Shitoryu (Shukokai) was therefore Shitoryu Karate, with influence from the hard-soft style that is Gojuryu.

This means our Karate focuses on speed and fluidity of movement, and the light footed nature of Shitoryu Karate, whilst incorporating some aspects of Gojuryu. Following the Shukokai (“way for all”) lead – we prioritise effectiveness over uniformity.

The rest of the history can be, with relative ease, traced back to the 1700s as to where our Karate came from. From the UK back to Japan, from Japan back to Okinawa, and depending on the source, back to various places in China before that.

* Oubaitori Karate Club does not claim any affiliation to any of the above mentioned organisations or individuals. Any current day affiliations are detailed in the Affiliations & Associations section. Naturally, some of this section has been passed down verbally, and we’re relying on the accuracy of what we have been told.