Bournemouth Dojo History

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Club History

The Bournemouth Shorinji Kempo Dojo was opened in September 1974 by Sensei Toshiaki (Toshi) Yoshida (then 3rd Dan) at the YMCA in Bournemouth.

Sensei Toshi Yoshida

Sensei Toshi trained for 5 years at Sapporo University in Japan where he was captain of their Shorinji Kempo team. He left Japan in 1973 to help teach Shorinji Kempo in Stockholm University for six months and then came to England.

When he arrived in England Sensei Toshi was determined to teach Shorinji Kempo to as many English students as possible. He came to Bournemouth to visit a Japanese friend, Maki Nagaoka, and they formed the Bournemouth Shorinji Kempo Club. Sensei Toshi continued to run the club after Maki returned to Japan.

While at the YMCA he would teach 50 students twice a week, and would train three hours a day himself. 

Asked why he took up Shorinji Kempo he was quoted as saying: "When I entered Sapporo University there were clubs for many martial arts including Karate and Kendo. But after seeing a Shorinji Kempo demonstration I was so impressed that I decided that was for me.

Sensei Russ Becomes Branch Master

Sensei Yoshida stayed in Britain for 5 years before returning home to Japan. When he left the club was left in the hands of Sensei Russ, with Sensei Peter at his right arm.

The Dojo was moved to the Littledown centre in 1995, and now has a number of black belts to assist Sensei Russ.