New Southampton Karate School Opening in West End

Sensei Terry Foster is opening a new class at the West End Parish Centre, Chapel Road, West End, Southampton, SO30 3FE.

The Sorinkan Dojo is held every Tuesday, 7.30-9.00pm, £5.00 per lesson (1st lesson free). From 15 years old and up.

Contact Terry Foster: 07770 873509

Email: terrytrees@hotmail.com

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/sorinkangojuryukarate

The Yonemoto Ha Goju Karate Legacy

Seibukan UK is dedicated to the authentic practise and teaching of the martial art of Nihon Goju Ryu Karate as taught by Master Kiyoshi Yonemoto.

Goju Ryu translates as ‘Hard/Soft Style’. Originating from the island of Okinawa, Japan and also rooted in the Chinese martial arts of Fukien Province.

Yonemoto Sensei has dedicated his life to studying, teaching & sharing his knowledge of Goju Ryu Karate. The essence of Yonemoto Ha (way of) karate is to be natural employing such principles as the fluidity of water and strength of stone.

The headquaters of Yonemoto Sensei is the Seibukan dojo, located in Tokyo, Japan. In 2025 the school celebrates its 50th year of opening. Yonemoto Sensei is a lineage master originally studying with and recieving the bubishi from Master Sosui Ichikawa.

Since that time Master Yonemoto has spent decades studying the true meaning and deeper way of Goju Karate. This is the what, why, when and feeling of how to use against the bigger, faster, stronger opponent. In this way the focus is on being natural, leading a healthy life with a good heart and a productive member of society

Photo of Seibukan dojo in Tokyo, Japan
Childrens lesson in Seibukan dojo, Tokyo

Seibukan UK Teachers

Mike Clark (6th Dan) is a direct student of Master Yonemoto and UK bucho 部長,  Chief Instructor. He has studied Japanese, Okinawan and Chinese martial arts for over 50 years, including 30 years studying the way of Yonemoto Sensei. In this way Yonemoto Ha Goju Ryu Karate will continue to be passed on to Southampton karate students

Senior Instructors (5th Dan) in Seibukan UK Goju Ryu organisation are:

  • Terry Foster
  • Kevin Williams
  • Carl Regular.

Instructors (3rd Dan) are:

  • Jim Chivers
  • Andy Clark

All teachers have studied at the Seibukan dojo in Japan and hold grades awarded by Yonemoto Sensei.

Seibukan UK is a lineage school where the art is passed on unbroken from teacher to student. Each teacher adds something to the teaching so that it continues to grow and develop.

Mike Clark teaches his students to look at their Goju Karate with a questioning mind. Studying karate is a constant voyage of discovery, one that never ends. Therefore there is always more to learn and to discover no matter the level of the student.

Seibukan UK teaches the hard, forceful (Go) aspects of karate as well as the soft, yielding (Ju) elements. In the school it is said if it take 10 years to master the hard, it takes 20 years to master the soft.

The higher level teachings of Goju Ryu as taught by Yonemoto Sensei are practised within the group progressing up through the black belt levels. Teachers and students from other schools are welcome to study with us. In this way there are oppurtunites to continue to develop and learn for those who are still searching.

Our teaching embodies the core principles of forging a strong inner spirit, having a good heart and maintaining an enquiring mind.