Hayashi-ha Shitoryukai Singapore was formed by the late Shihan Michael Sim in (1999). Curriculum wise, Hayashi-ha Shitoryukai Singapore has many aspects of Karate, namely sparring, Kata (Japanese; forms) and the purpose of the forms, as well as weapons training in the form of Kobudo. It’s students comprise a wide age range and from all walks of life, as Karate is meant to be accessible to all. The dojo has strong ties to its Honbu dojo or Main dojo based in Osaka, Japan and regularly has working trips in both directions to ensure proper instruction and standard of training is passed down. 

Hayashi-Ha Shitoryukai was founded by Soke Teruo Hayashi in 1970. It is a very popular style of Karate, with dojos located in Japan, Spain, Australia, parts of Africa and more. Soke Hayashi had a reputation of challenging other dojos when he was younger. If he lost, he would stay and study under the tutelage of that dojo's sensei.

Soke Hayashi's approach exposed him to various styles and fighting techniques. This, coupled with his own Judo training when he was a teenager, made him into a well-versed martial artist. He also Shuri and Tomari lines of Kata in Okinawa as well as Ryuei Ryu, a southern tiger style imported from China (Okinawa - due to its close proximity to China, enjoyed alot of trade and saw an exchange of ideas in all fields, including martial arts).

He subsequently left Okinawa and returned to Japan, where he learnt the bulk of Shitoryu's line of Kata and incorporated everything he knew into his own style of Karate. Prior to his passing in (year), Soke was actively travelling the world, giving seminars and visiting his students all over the world.

**Soke - japanese - literally “Grandmaster”. Typically refers to the head of the entire style and usually based in Japan or Okinawa. However, there are Soke’s who are based in other countries, despite training karate.

The Singapore branch of Hayashi-ha Shitoryukai was formed by the late Shihan Michael Sim. The man loved karate from the moment he picked up the sport at the age of 15. For him, it became more than just a sport. He trained regularly, competed in both kata and kumite competitions and soon got his first-degree black belt in 3 years. There, he didn’t slow down.

Shihan Michael Sim went on to represent Singapore overseas, clinching the top spot in many competitions in both kumite and kata. 

But competitions weren’t the sole reason Shihan Michael continued his dedication to karate. Shihan Michael Sim understood that karate was about training and development, about becoming better than where you were yesterday.

Shihan Michael Sim’s passion for teaching karate was not limited to money. There were times when students from poor backgrounds picked up karate as a co-curricular activity, but could not make monthly fees. Shihan Michael told them to train first, and worry about payment later. He would never hound students nor dismiss students who failed to make payments.

Eventually, Shihan Michael gained a new appreciation for karate, not just as martial art and a method of self defence, but as a way of living one’s life. And as such, in (1999), Shihan Michael Sim founded Hayashi-ha Shitoryukai Singapore. 

*Shihan - japanese - typically refers to the Head of a country’s particular style of karate. Interestingly enough, Shihan Michael Sim never referred to himself as Shihan.

Hayashi-ha Shitoryukai Singapore’s curriculum covers three main areas: Kumite, Kata and Kobudo.

Kumite, or sparring, as the name suggests, features two opponents facing each other in controlled fighting. Ultimately, Karate is a martial art and a form of self-defenses, and it is only through sparring where one would be able to ascertain one’s relative benchmark. 

Kata, or forms, forms another key pillar of the curriculum. Simply referred to as patterns by the layman, Kata is essentially shadow sparring, with each move designed to mimic an actual combat maneuver, from tiger claw strikes, to throws to sweeps to hold escapes and many more. It should be noted that while some Kata can be slow and graceful, certain Kata is fast and explosive and the vast majority combines both characteristics.

Kobudo training focuses on the traditional weapons found in Okinawa and mainland Japan. The dojo regularly has its counterparts from its main dojo in Japan, to come down to teach and share new techniques, as well as ensure older techniques are taught properly.

Ng Gim Kai

Low Kim Song