SKI Bristol: Kyoto Shotokan Karate Club

Great to see so many of you back at Regional Squad training following the summer break! 👊🏻🥋

A big thank you to Sensei Pasq and Sensei Susumu for working everyone so hard and putting us through our paces!

Regional Squad sessions are open to anyone who is happy to travel.
So it was great to have Phoenix and Shiro make the journey from Dunstable and Bristol to join us.
You’re welcome back anytime, guys! 🙌🏻

See everyone at the National Championships on 27th September! 🏆👊🏻🥋

🥋 30 YEARS OF KYŌTŌ — TRAINING WITH TWO OUTSTANDING INSTRUCTORS

Three decades of Kyōtō Shotokan Karate Dōjō deserves a special celebration — and this October we’re delighted to welcome Sensei Dave Kershaw, 8th Dan and Sensei Dorian Fretwell, 8th Dan to Bristol for our 30th Anniversary Seminar.

Two instructors with a wealth of experience, knowledge and stories to share — and a weekend offering both Karate and Bo training.

📅 Friday 9th October
🥋 Dave Kershaw Sensei — Karate
⏰ 5:30–6:30pm • FREE

📅 Saturday 10th October
🥋 Dave Kershaw Sensei & Dorian Fretwell Sensei — Karate
⏰ 12:30–1:30pm & 2:00–3:00pm • £25pp

📅 Sunday 11th October
🥢 Dorian Fretwell Sensei — Bo
⏰ 10:30am–12:00pm • £15pp

For Kyōtō, this is much more than another course. It’s a chance to celebrate 30 years of training, friendship and karate, while learning from two instructors who have each contributed so much to Shotokan over the decades.

These sketches give just a little taste of what might be waiting for us… 👀😄

Three days. Two 8th Dans. 30 years of Kyōtō.
We hope you’ll join us on the dojo floor. 👊🥋

🎉 Happy 50th Anniversary to Aardman! 🎉

Aardman has brought us so many wonderfully memorable characters over the past five decades, but for me it all goes right back to Morph. 🧡

Growing up in Grimsby watching Take Hart, I loved Morph’s mischievous little adventures alongside Tony Hart. I was never particularly artistic myself, but I always enjoyed the programme — Tony somehow made creativity fascinating even to those of us who weren’t particularly handy with a paintbrush! 😄

There’s a nice little connection all these years later too. Aardman made Bristol its home, and Bristol eventually became mine as well. I moved down from Grimsby and, in 1996, established Kyōtō Shotokan Karate Dōjō here in Bristol — so while Aardman celebrates an incredible 50 years, we’ve been celebrating 30 years of Kyōtō in the very same city. ❤️🥋

It’s funny how things from childhood stay with you and occasionally come full circle. So naturally, Morph has finally found his way into a karate gi… and he’s already made it to green belt! 😂

Congratulations to Aardman⁠ on 50 years of creativity, imagination, humour and some truly iconic characters.

From one Bristol institution — albeit a considerably younger and much smaller one! — to another… here’s to the next 50! 🥂

Oss, Morph! 🥋🧡

📚🥋 Back to school… and back to building skills beyond the classroom!

A new school year brings new routines, new challenges and new opportunities to grow — and karate can be a great part of that journey.

At Kyōtō, we help students develop focus, discipline and confidence — qualities that can make a difference in the dōjō, in the classroom and in everyday life.

And karate isn’t just for the kids! Our classes welcome children, teenagers, adults and families, whether you’re a complete beginner or returning to training.

🎒 School bag packed?
🥋 Maybe it’s time to pack a karate gi too!

Karate classes for all at Kyōtō Shotokan Karate Dōjō.

📞 07890 396276
🌐 www.kyotokaratebristol.co.uk

Looking forward to teaching at Kaizen No-Michi karate dojo in Grimsby this Saturday.

52nd SKIF-GB National Championships.

📆 Sunday 27th September 2026
⏰ 09:00-17:00
📍 Nottingham Wildcats Arena, NG3 7ED

🗓️ Closing Date for Entries - Monday 21st September

We look forward to seeing you all again 👊🏻 🥋

🎒🥋 Back to School… Back to Karate!

As the new school year begins, it’s a great time to get back into routines — and make Karate part of the week.

Karate isn’t just about kicks and punches. It can help children develop confidence, focus, discipline, resilience and respect — skills that can carry straight back into the classroom. 💪🧠

And at Kyōtō, Karate isn’t just for the kids! Our family-friendly classes welcome all ages and abilities, from complete beginners through to black belts.

📚 New school year.
🥋 New challenge.
🐯 Maybe it’s time to start your Karate journey?

Stronger body • Stronger mind

🦸 Every child has a superhero inside them… sometimes they just need somewhere to discover it! 🥋💥

Karate isn’t about capes or superpowers. It’s about building confidence, courage, focus and resilience — learning that you’re capable of more than you thought.

At Kyōtō, we help children turn that potential into something real, one class, one technique and one challenge at a time.

🥋 Build confidence
💪 Discover inner strength
🧠 Develop focus & discipline
⭐ Believe in yourself
👊 Have fun along the way!

No cape required. Just a karate gi and the courage to begin.

Release their inner superhero. 🦸‍♂️🥋