Tenshinkan Karate Federation UK/Training in the U.K.

Tenshinkan training in the U.K. is by and large the same kind of training you will find in any Tenshinkan Dojo in the World. All of the Instructors in the U.K. teach directly under the authority of Shihan Robert Kane and are responsible to him. Normal Club evening training usually consists of the U.K. Tenshinkan syllabus. This syllabus is broken down into the relevant grades and has an emphasis on kihon (basics); kihon kumite (basic sparring) and kata. There are however a whole variety of techniques and no two training sessions are the same. Goshin-jitsu (take-downs) and Kumite (freestyle) also often form part of a normal training session. Examinations normally take place 4 times a year, but this can vary depending on the different clubs.

Members throughout the country do get together at various times on special training sessions, called a "gashuku". These gashuku training sessions, usually a weekend course, are different from the normal club training. Three features make theses Gashuku's different. Firstly, there is unity of training not just as a Club, but as a Federation of members. When members come together from different Clubs and Cities the training seems to take a bit more of a competitive edge. The effort to keep going that little bit longer or just to be that little bit sharper or faster. The second feature has to be the toughness. A Gashuku is always that little bit harder than a normal Club evening. There is also a distinct atmosphere created in the Dojo when everybody is working really hard. A great spirit and feeling of wanting to learn together. The third feature is distinct to Tenshinkan. When you take a Grading Examination on a U.K. Gashuku then the whole Gashuku training time is in effect the examination.

Another feature of Tenshinkan training in the U.K. which has been introduced by Shihan Robert is the Seminar. The task of the Seminar is to break the training syllabus down to look at individual aspects and focus on them. For example to look at a Kata or Bunkei (explanation) or Kihon, and then try to take each element, break them down and study them in some or more detail.

All of these types of training have been developed by the U.K. Chief Instructor Shihan Robert Kane and together form the unique style that is Tenshinkan Karatedo.