Tutelage of Hanshi

       Garry O'Connor      

Garry O’Connor Hanshi (1952 –  is the present Principal Instructor and examiner for The Okinawa Ryu Karate Do Shuri Te Seibukan Association Oceania.

He formally began his traditional martial arts study in late 1962 under the tutelage of OSensei Takahashi San – Soke, a most profound master of traditional karate do and the art of Kobudo, at Auckland New Zealand.

OSensei Takahashi Soke returned to his beloved homeland of  Okinawa/Japan inviting Garry O’Connor Hanshi to further his formal studies under his guidance. Although it would be several years latter that Hanshi would resume his traditional martial arts training under OSensei Takahashi's influence. During the years which  he was absent from OSensei Takahashi’s guidance, he commenced his study of Traditional Chidokan Karate Do, under the instruction of Barney Wheki Sensei, (1944 – 2010) an “inspirational and an indomitable Sensei,” who ran the Hamilton Chidokan Dojo in New Zealand. During this period Hanshi would also attend classes at Hombu Dojo, under the direction of Kancho Sims the chief instructor and founder of the New Zealand Chidokan Karate Do Association, indeed a most influential and respected Senior Sensei.

As the years passed, Hanshi had a sincere desire to formerly return to his traditional budo roots, and reconnect with the original principals founded in “Okinawa Ryu Karate Do Shuri Te Seibukan,” with the established support of OSensei Takahashi Soke. During this period in his traditional budo training, he enrolled in traditional Bujutsu instruction under the tutelage of OSensei Laurie Oliver, the Past Master of the South Pacific Jiu Jitsu Society; after several years of study Hanshi O'Connor attained the Yudansha level of Nidan - 2nd Dan in the traditional art of Kawaishi Jiu Jitsu, so named after OSensei Mikonosuke Kawaishi Soke. OSensei Laurie Oliver was a representative of OSensei Vernon C.F. Bell (1922–2004) founder of The British Karate Do Federation, affiliations were directly with The International Jujitsu Federation and the Nippon Seibukan, at the time under the leadership of OSensei Suzuki Masafumi.

In 1978, Hanshi was required to undergo a formal traditional Yudansha examination with The B.K.F and The Seibukan All Martial Arts Association of Japan. This grading examination was set down by OSensei Vernon C.F. Bell, OSensei Laurie Oliver of the SPJJS, OSensei Takahashi Soke and OSensei Suzuki Masafumi.

With the endorsement of his life long teacher, "OSensei Takahashi Soke," Garry O’Connor Hanshi established the very first traditional dojo of Okinawa Ryu Karate Do Shuri Te Seibukan in New Zealand, this traditional dojo was located in the City of Hamilton, one of only a handful of traditional Okinawan Karate Do Dojos at this time in New Zealand.

In 1980, he and his family relocated to Australia, where he introduced our traditional martial art of Okinawa Ryu Karate Do Shuri Te Seibukan into Australia, establishing the dojo at Adelaide, South Australia. Two of Hanshi’s senior Karate Ka from the original dojo in New Zealand, “Dennis Vuglar and Karl Farley” attended training at the Adelaide Dojo, before returning to New Zealand; Karl Farley Sempai is presently training with Ian Sargent Sensei at the New Zealand Dojo.

In 1985 Hanshi O’Connor travelled to Italy where he trained under OSensei Takahashi Soke (1900- 1994) and OSensei Ichirou Ito - Hachidan 8th Dan  (1947 - 2006)
 

On his return from Italy, he would entrust the Adelaide Dojo into the personal care of John Tsacos Sempai, as he and his family were relocating to Canberra to live. In late 1985, he established the traditional Canberra Dojo of Okinawa Ryu Karate Do Shuri Te Seibukan, which grew strongly in the following years with many dedicated senior karate ka attending training. Here it was well known amongst the karate ka, that Hanshi would ride from Canberra to the Adelaide Dojo on his motor cycle every four months, providing support and traditional instruction to the South Australian members, this journey would encompass a total of 2,400km. John Tsacos Sempai and the Adelaide Karate ka would also attend training at the Canberra Dojo Gasshuku's.

In 1988, Hanshi would be transferred through his employment to Queensland, and here he established the first Queensland Dojo on The Gold Coast. The Canberra Dojo was entrusted into the care of Petar Johnson an inspiring Sempai. During these years there were an exchange of visits by the Canberra and the Queensland Karate Ka. Several years latter Matthew Pang a most dedicated Sensei was officially appointed as the Canberra Dojo Sensei. Today the Canberra Dojo continues it's traditional lineage under the instruction of Istok Tanevski Sensei who was appointed  The Dojo Instructor, by Hanshi.

During 1994 we witnessed the passing of a most profound and extraordinary Karate Do Master; 0 Sensei Takahashi Soke, (1900-1994) leaving behind his devoted students to continue his traditional philosophies and etiquettes of budo. He will always be respectfully remembered by the traditional lineage  he handed down, which today is the corner foundation stone of Okinawa Ryu Karate Do Shuri Te Seibukan.

In 1998, Garry O’Connor Hanshi once again returned to Italy, where he trained under the tutelage of Ichirou Ito Kyoshi, Hachidan, improving his traditional studies of budo.

Hanshi relocated to the alpine region of Victoria in 2005, establishing a traditional martial arts school of instruction in this beautiful and tranquil region of Australia, he  maintains regular contact with his students, especially  the Yudanshakai of all Dojos.

To date Hanshi continues on his Budo Pathway quietly achieving the disciplined knowledge through sincere devotion to his study, encompassing more than four decades of traditional martial arts study. He was awarded his Traditional Shihan Certification, receiving his Menkyo Kaiden and the Yudansha level of Shichidan - 7^th Dan in 1993, having received this traditional certification by a panel of traditional masters. It would be in September 2002 that Hanshi would be awarded  his Hachidan  8th Dan Certification, and Registration by the Martial Arts Association International Council Of Traditional Masters affiliated through the International Karate Union Japan.

During 2008 and 2009, he travelled to New Zealand, where he officially appointed Ian Sargent Sensei as The Head Instructor of the New Zealand Dojo’s, and his true senior representative; Claire Sargent Sensei was appointed as the assistant New Zealand Sensei.

Hanshi has asked that we give acknowledgement and his sincere appreciation to Dennis May Kyoshi 8^th Dan, Head Instructor of The New Zealand Okinawan Goju Ryu Association, for his kind offer of support during the appointment of Ian Sargent to the position of Head New Zealand Instructor. At least once or twice a year Hanshi O'Connor travels to New Zealand to give advance Instruction at the NZ Gasshuku. The New Zealand Karate ka have been encouraged to attend training at The South Pacific Honbu Dojo, also at the Canberra Dojo under the guidance of Istok Tanevski Sensei.

It is certainly worth mentioning here, there has been an encouraging number of the New Zealand Karate Ka attending the Honbu Dojo Gasshuku’s directed by Hanshi; many new friendships have been forged between Karate Ka. Special consideration has been given to the New Zealand Karate Ka to train privately with Hanshi during their visits. It has been pleasing to see all Karate ka join as one, experiencing and sharing the true budo spirit. Indeed our traditional martial art is forged as one family.

On March the 14th 2011, He was awarded his Hanshi Certification and the traditional registration of Kudan - 9th Dan, while being officially recognised internationally as the legitimate traditional inheritor of Okinawa Ryu Karate Do Shuri Te Seibukan from OSensei Takahashi Soke, 1900-1994.

Garry O'Connor Hanshi is the Principal Sensei and the head examiner for Okinawa Ryu Karate Do Shuri Te Seibukan in the regions of Oceania.

Hanshi is always willing to share his traditional lineage with those who have a sincere desire to experience this profound martial art of traditional Karate Do, practicing with good heart, mind, spirit and etiquette.                    

"KYU DO MU GEN"

"Following the Way never ends."