Michael Quinn, the founder of Donegal Shorin Ryu Karate Club has been selected for the position of the Traditional Okinawan Karate Kobudo Organisation’s (TOKKO) representative for Donegal and Northern Ireland. 
In this role he will represent TOKKO, which is affiliated with the Okinawan Ken Karate and Kobudo Rengokai to spread and promote traditional Okinawan karate in the north of Ireland.
Additionally him and his students will have access to the top senior Okinawan karate masters in Okinawa, the home of karate.
The Rengokai is an organisation of the top teachers of Shorin Ryu, Goju Ryu, Uechi Ryu and Kobudo on Okinawa.
The purpose of the “Rengokai” is to promote the cultural treasure of Okinawan karate and kobudo around the world.
As a TOKKO representative Sensei Quinn and his students will be allowed to train with these teachers on Okinawa, and will be able to invite these teachers to teach seminars at his own dojo in Donegal.
Plans are already underway to bring a well known Okinawan 10th Dan teacher to Donegal in the very near future.
Sensei Quinn and some of his senior students are also planning a training visit to Okinawa in 2015.
The club will also be hosting a seminar in early April in Donegal with Hanshi Dan Smith, 9th Dan in Shorin Ryu Seibukan and the Director of TOKKO providing instruction.
The “Rengokai” authorised Sensei Smith to create TOKKO to support the “Rengokai’s” efforts outside of Okinawa. Smith is the only non-Okinawan designated as an affiliated member of this prestigious organisation.
Hanshi Smith conducted a seminar in Donegal last summer, and he was impressed by the level of skill and dedication displayed by the Donegal students, which led to him requesting that Sensei Quinn to take on the role as the Northern Ireland TOKKO representative.
Kyoshi Patrick Beaumont, 7th Dan in Matsubayashi has been selected to be the TOKKO representative for the British Isles.
Kyoshi Beaumont is Michael’s teacher and he was the first instructor to introduce Matsubayashi to Ireland almost 30 years ago.
He will also be providing instruction in the April seminar.
This seminar will be open to anyone who is interested in studying traditional Okinawan karate or kobudo, regardless of their present style or rank.
All that is required is an open mind and an interest in studying martial arts.
Since its formation several years ago Donegal Shorin Ryu Karate has been extremely successful and has grown continuously, now having a large number of students throughout the county.
The club is unique in that it does not train in sports style karate, but strictly adheres to traditional training methods.
Students train in body conditioning through utilising hojo undo exercises, makiwara training, breath control, and kong li exericses.
Matsubayashi is a style which mainly concentrates self defense using kyusho Jitsu (striking vital points), and attacking nerves, arteries and joints.
This is primarily refered to as ‘life protection arts’.
However the main emphasis is placed on the development of character for all students, and respect and in the Donegal dojo all students are expected to show respect to each other, regardless of their rank.
Sensei Quinn feels that it is important also that every student should be allowed to talk and train with senior teachers.
He feels that ranks should not make any difference.
It simply means that the senior is further ahead in his martial arts journey, and his goal should be to help others obtain a higher skill level.
He says that he encourages all his students, including beginners, to train with and talk to instructors such as Hanshi Smith and Kyoshi Beaumont.
He feels that high ranked senior instructors should welcome and encourage new karate-ka without being condescending of lower ranked students.
In the upcoming seminars, all students will be able to approach both Sensei’s to ask questions regarding karate.
Constant training in kata is vital to uncover the fighting techniques hidden within the katas, and much time and effort is spent working through the various principles of various katas.
This is where Donegal Shorin Ryu karate differs from most other clubs because in competitive karate kata is only performed, but our club dissects the kata to uncover the hidden fighting techniques contained within all kata.
As Okinawan karate is also used to enhance and improve health, it is important that stances, kata and exercises are taught properly.
If the kata is not taught correctly, this leads to improper skeletal alignment, therefore many karate students, especially those who are not taught correctly, develop and suffer complications with knees, joint, and other bone problems.
Having access to senior Okinawan masters provide students with the opportunity to have their postures corrected.
Sensei Quinn’s TOKKO role will involve promoting the martial arts cultural treasure of authentic Okinawan karate and kobudo as a life style to improve health and strength of character.
He has also been asked to grow the awareness and participation in Northern Ireland of the Rengokai’s activities and efforts to spread traditional Okinawan karate and kobudo.
His goal for the future is to attract other clubs and develop Okinawan karate further in Donegal and Northern Ireland.
Any individuals or clubs, regardless of style that are interested in traditional karate are welcome to his dojo to train, have a look or take part in any of our upcoming seminars.
Our email address is donegalshorinryu@gmail.com or telephone 086 3953199 for further information.