Hayashi-ha Shitoryukai Karate
Australia
Hayashi-ha Shitoryu is a traditional form of karate with its origins tracing back to the island of Okinawa, the cradle of modern karate. Shitoryu is one of the four major styles disseminated internationally. Soke Teruo Hayashi led our particular school until his death in 2004 aged 84. His work now continues under the leadership and guidance of a Board of Directors comprising his senior students.
Hayashi-ha Shitoryu kai Karate Sydney Australia Hayashi-ha Shitoryu kai Karate Sydney Australia Hayashi-ha Shitoryu kai Karate Sydney Australia
Shihan Beng Soon Koh 9th dan
Chief Instructor Oceania
Shihan Koh studied directly under Soke Hayashi and maintains a close relationship with the Board of Directors. Outside of Japan, he is Hayashi-ha’s longest serving regional leader, joining Hayashi-ha Shitoryukai in 1979. Prior to that he was with Budokan under Sensei Clement Soo (Soke and founder of Goshinryu Karate Malaysia) where he studied Shotokan, Keshin-Kan and several Chinese systems for 12 years.
Shihan Koh is renowned for his dynamic kicking ability and was a successful competitor in his youth. In 1970 he won the Malaysian Championships and was selected to represent Malaysia at the 2nd WUKO Championships in Paris. Shihan Koh continues his involvement in sport karate as a referee and has extensive experience at international level.
As a coach he has produced many national and international champions. As a teacher he has helped many students fulfill their potential, including mentoring several to attain senior grades and become teachers in their own right.
Hayashi-ha Shitoryu Karate Sydney Australia
Soke Teruo Hayashi 10th dan (1924 - 2004)
Founder Hayashi-ha Shitoryukai
Known by some as the "weapons man". Soke Hayashi initially studied judo and attained the rank of 3rd dan before being called for military service. After the war he discovered karate and was so impressed he gave up everything to study it full-time. He started his training in Shitoryu with Sensei Kosei Kuniba, before tracing its roots to Okinawa. It was in Okinawa that Soke Hayashi became immersed in kobudo. At that time kobudo was not widely taught on the mainland. He studied with Masters Hohan Soken, Shuren Taira and Kenko Nakaima.
On returning to Japan in 1959, Soke Hayashi succeeded Sensei Kuniba. He vacated that role in 1970 to form Hayashi-ha Shitoryukai Karate-do and later Kenshinryu Kobudo, which he led until his death in 2004.
Soke was recognised as one on the most senior karate figures in the world. His rank of 10th dan was authorised by the Japan Karate-do Federation. He also served as an advisor to the World Union of Karate-do Organisations (WUKO) Technical Committee and was Emeritus Chairman of its Referees Council
Hayashi-ha Shitoryu Karate Sydney Australia