Chris McKenna 4th Dan Gojuryu Karate do Seiwakai, chief instructor has over 20 years of martial arts experience. This development, which includes spending at least one month a year in Japan (on occassions as a live-in student), has lead to our unique understanding of Japanese culture and martial history, as well training philosophies and practical application.

The benefit of this is that we have forged strong relationships with vastly capable and qualified teachers in both Australia and Japan (and Okinawa). With a strong and ongoing background in goju ryu karate, taijutsu, hishigijutsu, bojutsu and iaido, we have the breadth of diversity to teach fighting principles through a range of training methods. Put simply, we have the skills and experience necessary to develop students in a holistic and practical manner and ensure we challenge peoples variety of individual needs.

Training is mainly focussed on Goju Ryu Karate, aligning with the Japan Karatedo Federation Gojukai. We also practice a unique form of Taijutsu – Shinto Tenshin Ryu. In addition, we practice kobudo, mainly consisting of Hishigijutsu from Asayama Ichiden Ryu. We are primarily an adult-based group and encourage participation by people of all experience levels.

Our aim is to develop people who persevere with strength, confidence and a positive perspective. Our purpose is to enhance physical and mental capacity and encourage courtesy, respect, etiquette and humility. Through intense physical and mental training, we encourage people to better understand and challenge their own limits and hope these lessons can be applied in everyday life.

‘Suigetsu Ryu’ translated from Japanese means ‘water moon school’, although a more appropriate interpretation is ‘the moon reflected on water school’. This name is derived from a Zen Buddhist classic and is appropriate for our school of karate jutsu.