SKI Bristol: Kyoto Shotokan Karate Club

30/09/2026

26/09/2026

❤️ Love is…

…growing older together,
but never quite growing up.

Retirement might mean leaving work behind.
It doesn’t mean leaving life behind.

Keep moving. Keep learning. Keep laughing.
And, if you can, find someone who’ll still practise ippon kumite with you when your hair turns grey. 🥋❤️

Karate has no retirement age.

25/09/2026

Water gives us life. Karate gives life something more. 🥋

Through our organisation Shotokan Karate International Federation (SKIF), karate becomes more than technique. It brings us purpose, discipline, friendship, challenge and a shared passion that crosses generations and borders.

Like ink flowing through water, its influence spreads — shaping us, connecting us and becoming part of who we are.

SKIF — karate flowing through life.

Oss 🥋

25/09/2026

🎙️ Deep in the Kyōtō jungle, something extraordinary is beginning to unfold… quite literally.

Hidden amongst the foliage, the elusive Shotokan Tiger slowly emerges from the folds. 🐯🌿

A crease here, a careful fold there… and gradually this magnificent creature takes form. No cuts. No shortcuts. Just patience, precision and the transformation of something simple into something remarkable.

Rather like karate itself. 🥋

Every fold builds upon the last. Every crease leaves its mark. And eventually, after enough practice, discipline and perseverance… the tiger emerges.

A rare sight indeed — and quite remarkable.

🐯 Kyōtō Shotokan Karate Dōjō

25/09/2026

I went along to one of Dorian Fretwell Sensei’s SKK Gasshuku courses back in 2024 and thoroughly enjoyed it — a great afternoon of training and a chance to explore some aspects of karate beyond our usual practice. 🥋

Unfortunately, Phoenix and I won’t be able to make this year’s Gasshuku as he’s away doing his Duke of Edinburgh expedition that weekend, but I’d certainly recommend it to anyone who can get along.

And fortunately for us in Bristol, we don’t have long to wait… 👊

Just one week later, Dorian Fretwell Sensei, 8th Dan, will be joining Dave Kershaw Sensei, 8th Dan, for our Kyōtō 30th Anniversary Seminar, with Dorian also teaching a dedicated Bō session on the Sunday morning.

So we’ll still get our opportunity to train with him — just a little closer to home! 😊

Have a fantastic Gasshuku, Dorian Sensei and everyone at SKK. Oss! 🥋👊

24/09/2026

🥋 Happy 66th Birthday, Nick Bruce-Jones! 🎂

They say some things improve with age… experience, wisdom, karate — and apparently the irresistible power of Hai Karate! 😂

A very happy birthday to Kyōtō’s Shihandai, instructor, referee and all-round karate stalwart.

At 66, Nick’s still training, teaching, refereeing and proving that karate really can be a lifelong journey.

Just remember, Nick… be careful how you use it! 😎🥋

Happy Birthday! 🎉🍻

24/09/2026

Happy 66th Birthday to Nick Sensei.

I’m betting there’s a bottle of Hai Karate aftershave tucked away in the back of his bathroom cabinet 🧐

23/09/2026

🥋 Dear Future Me…

Today I started Karate.

Right now, I don’t know where this journey will take us. I don’t know what belt we’ll wear, which kata will become our favourite, how many times we’ll struggle, or how many times we’ll want to give up.

But I’ve taken the hardest step.

I started.

And somehow, even after that first class, I can already see our better future — stronger, more confident, more disciplined, more resilient… and hopefully still enjoying every step of the journey.

So, Future Me, wherever you are and whatever grade you’ve reached…

Remember the person who walked through the dojo door for the very first time.

They did this for you. ❤️🥋

23/09/2026

🥋 Not long to go now… Bristol, get ready!

We’re delighted to welcome Sensei Dave Kershaw, 8th Dan, back to Bristol as part of Kyōtō’s 30th Anniversary celebrations.

For me, this one is particularly special. Sensei Kershaw was my original instructor when I first walked into a karate dojo back in 1984 — and more than four decades later, he’ll be teaching at the club I founded here in Bristol.

📅 Friday 9th October 2026
🥋 5:30–6:30pm — Karate with Sensei Dave Kershaw
🎟️ FREE SESSION

Then Sensei Kershaw joins Sensei Dorian Fretwell, 8th Dan, for our main anniversary seminar on Saturday.

Thirty years of Kyōtō. Over forty years of karate. And a chance to train with the Sensei who helped start my journey.

Just over two weeks to go! 👊🥋

23/09/2026

🐯 Why the Tiger?

The tiger is one of the most recognisable symbols of Shotokan Karate — but it wasn’t chosen simply because a tiger looks powerful.

The famous Shotokan tiger, the Tora no Maki (虎の巻), was designed by artist Hoan Kosugi for Gichin Funakoshi’s 1935 book Karate-dō Kyōhan. The image became closely associated with Funakoshi and, ultimately, with Shotokan itself.

The tiger is traditionally depicted within a circle, its powerful body contained within that boundary. It can be seen as a fitting reflection of karate: strength and power, controlled through discipline.

For us at Kyōtō Shotokan Karate Dōjō, the tiger therefore represents far more than a logo.

🥋 Strength without aggression.
🐯 Power with control.
👊 Courage built through training.
🧠 Discipline of both body and mind.
❤️ A lifelong journey of continual improvement.

The tiger may be fierce — but true karate teaches us when, how and why to control that strength.

Tradition • People • Progress

🌐 www.kyotokaratebristol.co.uk
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