Canadian Shorinjiryu Kudaka Karate-Do Federation

 

Sensei James Taylor

 

Sensei James Taylor was inspired to begin his study of Shorinjiryu Karat-do, in 1999 at Kingston Kobura, because he could see that it was a comprehensive system of martials arts tying many of the important roots and elements from other arts and traditional styles. He especially appreciated the use of Super Safe ™ protective gear that allowed for full-contact sparring and competition.

 

The Kobura Karate Club had a rich lineage of instructors under Shihan Bob Cussler up through Shihan Doug McBride and Shihan Wolgang Boggs to Hanshi Doug Roberts and Hanshi Brian Aarons to Hanshi Masayuki Hisataka. Training at Kobura was intense, challenging and rewarding with a core group of distinguished instructors including Shihan Jean-Eric Gibeau and the late, great Sensei Bruce Osbourne… rest his soul.

 

Sensei James earned his black belt in May of 2002 at which point he moved to Ottawa for employment reasons and opened a dojo, originally called Kaizen, but now known as Zen Fight Club, which has produced several black belts and notable competitors.

 

In his many years of continuous study of Shorinjiru Karate-do, Sensei James has learned under several experienced instructors, and placed first and second in Shiai and Kata in Brown Belt and senior Black Belt divisions, up to the international level; however, he freely admits the greatest moments of learning in the defeats along the way.

 

The karate path has been, for me, one of personal challenge and trying to learn humility and harmony with the forces of life.

 

In August 2008, Sensei James was promoted to the rank of Yon Dan (4th Degree Black Belt) by Hanshi Doug Roberts, Chairman of the Kudaka federation. He continues to hold small focused classes, with a strong expectation that his students will take charge of their own training path, seeking the meaning of our motto:

 

Spiritual Development of Individuality in Mind and Body

 

Sensei James plans to continue slowly growing Zen Fight Club, and himself as a martial artist and instructor, using the principle of Kaizen, meaning: continuous incremental improvement.