Shihan David Eayrs
PROFILE
founder of Kenshinkai Yoshinkan Aikido UK
17th May 2019

We are very sad to announce the passing of Shihan David Eayrs on 17th May 2019. Shihan David Eayrs the founder of Ken Shin Kai was born in Portsmouth, England in March 1949. David was also a founder member of the British Aikido Board. In addition to practising Yoshinkan Aikido for over 60 years, David also held the rank of 2nd Dan in Shotokan Karate. In 1963, David was serving in the Army and whilst in Butterworth, Malaysia he started practising the art of Aikido with a small group of Malaysians. David was informed by the group leader that if he really wanted to understand Aikido he must meet an Instructor living on the island of Penang, Shihan Francis Ramasamy. Francis took David on as his only student until the establishment, with the help of David, of his first Dojo at the Minden Barracks, a British garrison in Georgetown, Malaysia, in 1965. Later David was posted to Berlin where he began teaching Aikido to Army students and at the Municiple Academy of Police. David left the Army and returned to England in 1967 and began teaching Aikido to a small number of private students. In 1968 David was awarded Shodan by Gozo Shioda and two years later he opened his first club at Denmead in Hampshire. David in addition to Ted Stratton Sensei established Yoshinkan Aikido in the UK in the 1960s. David was awarded an honourary 8th Dan in 1996 from the Executive Committee of Ken Shin Kai, in recognition of his efforts and achievements in spreading the knowledge of Yoshinkan Aikido. In August of 1993 David moved to Moscow to further spread the knowledge of Yoshinkan Aikido, where he formed his own Aikido Association "Misogikan".

Shihan Francis Ramasamy
founder of Penang Yoshinkan Association
March 2013

We are very sad to announce the passing of Shihan Francis Ramasamy in March 2013. Shihan Francis Ramasamy was born in Penang, Malaysia in 1939. Francis was David Eayrs (Founder of Kenshinkai), first Yoshinkan Aikido instructor. Members of Kenshinkai visited Francis in Penang for intensive training courses every four years, starting in 1988. Francis had accumulated an impressive martial arts history, including training in Thai Muay Thai (Thai Boxing); Kodokan Judo 2nd Dan; Kendo 2nd Dan; and Shinden Fudo Ryu Kodachi Iai Shimpo 6th Dan. In addition, Francis held the rank of 7th Dan in Yoshinkan Aikido and had studied Aikido for over 50 years, training under many high ranking instructors including: Soke Shioda Sensei, Yagi Junchiro Sensei, Kushida Sensei, Takufumi Takeno Sensei and many others. Francis rented various premises and even used his own house as a temporary Dojo until 1985. Francis had travelled to Japan on many occasions to study under Gozo Shioda at the Yoshinkan Honbu Dojo. Francis had also taken part in Kangeiko (Winter Training) and trained with the Metropolitan Police in Tokyo. Francis felt that the repetitive uchikomi of Aikido reveals the truth of the ancient saying of the sage Lao Tse, "Read a book a hundred times, but do not read a hundred books at one time!".

Eric Stevens Sensei
former Senior Instructor of Kenshinkai Yoshinkan Aikido UK
23rd March 2011

We are very sad to announce the passing of Eric Stevens Sensei on 23rd March 2011. Eric began training with Kenshinkai in approximately 1977 and graded to Shodan on 23rd November 1983 along with Garry Masters, Paul Gildersleeve and Malcolm Crawford. Eric was a popular instructor, strict but understanding, and always keen to help beginners. Eric was renowned for his ability to teach break falls to even the most nervous of beginners, always with successful results. Eric continued to master the art of Yoshinkan Aikido, receiving Nidan in 1985, Sandan in 1987 and Yondan in 1991 under the tuition of Sensei David Eayrs. Eric was granted Senior Instructor status in 1987. Unfortunately due to health issues, Eric was unable to continue his training with Kenshinkai from 1992. Eric was also a former member of the SBS, 42, 45 Commando’s. Eric truly represented the meaning of Ken Shin Kai (strong heart, mind and spirit) in his training and throughout his life, and will be sadly missed by all who knew him or had the opportunity to be taught by him.

Haydn Foster Sensei
former Principal Coach of the Institute of Aikido
13th February 2011

We are very sad to announce the passing of Haydn Foster Sensei on 13th February 2011. Sensei Foster began his aikido training some time towards the end of 1956/beginning of 1957 at the Hut Dojo, near Heathrow. He was awarded 1st Dan by Kenshiro Abbe Sensei in 1960, and 2nd Dan by Mutsuharu Nakazono Sensei in 1962, one of the oldest Hombu grading certificates in the UK. He was awarded 3rd Dan by Masamichi Noro Sensei in 1969. In 1973, following the demise of the Renown Aikido Society (1966-1969), Foster Sensei was approached by the ex- members and asked to reconstruct the society as the Institute of Aikido. Foster Sensei passed away suddenly at home on Sunday 13 February. He will be very much missed by his family, friends and students in the world of Aikido. Foster Sensei’s aim was always that others should derive as much pleasure from Aikido as he himself did. He would often say that it is not what I have done for Aikido but more what Aikido has given me. Foster Sensei’s legacy is the Institute of Aikido which will ensure the continued study of the art which he held dear. To him Aikido was a never ending journey of discovery and learning and therefore we should all now continue our journey in the same spirit.

Kiyoyuki Terada Hanshi
former Principal Coach of the Seiseikai Yoshinkan Aikido Association
13th July 2009

We are very sad to announce the passing of Terada Sensei on 13th July 2009. Ken Shin Kai is proud to have been able to host Terada Sensei's visit to the UK in 2002. Our members have many wonderful memories of this seminar, and the social events. Terada Sensei put many of our younger students to shame with his energy and fitness whilst demonstrating an impressive range of techniques. Even though we had scheduled in plenty of rest time for Terada Sensei, he was back within 5 minutes insisting he had more to show us and would rest on the plane flight home. A wonderful Sensei who will be greatly missed by all" - Garry Masters Sensei - Ken Shin Kai (Principal Coach)

Robert Choong Sensei
former President of the Penang Yoshinkan Assocation
4th July 2005

We are very sad to announce the passing of Robert Choong Sensei on 4th July 2005. Robert was an inspiration in the world of Yoshinkan Aikido and a key element to the development of Yoshinkan Aikido in Malaysia. In addition Robert was an ambassador for the growth and development of Yoshinkan Aikido worldwide. Robert shall be very sadly missed by all who had the good fortune to have met him. Myself and the members of Ken Shin Kai cannot find enough words to express the extent of our respect for Robert Choong Sensei. He shall always be remembered by us for his love of aikido, compassion, understanding and sense of humour" - Garry Masters Sensei - Ken Shin Kai (Principal Coach)
"May his memories and dreams for the development of Yoshinkan Aikido be with us always" - Sonny Loke Sensei - Yoshinkan Aikido Malaysia (Chief Instructor)

Sensei Ted Stratton
founder of Shudokan UK Assocation
9th March 2000

We are very sad to announce the passing of Sensei Ted Stratton on 9th March 2000. Ted Stratton was the first person to introduce Yoshinkan Aikido to the UK in the early 1960s. He founded the Shudokan UK Aikido Organisation which was the starting point for many of the senior Yoshinkan Aikido Instructors teaching in the UK today. Sensei Stratton was key in the establishment of Yoshinkan Aikido in the UK, hosting visits from Jang En Yu Sensei and Soke Gozo Shioda Sensei in order to expand the knowledge of Yoshinkan Aikido in the UK. Sensei Stratton dedicated his life to the teaching of Aikido and his dedication to the art shall always be remembered.

Soke Gozo Shioda
founder of Yoshinkan Assocation
17th July 1994

We are very sad to announce the passing of Soke Gozo Shioda on 17th July 1994. Gozo Shioda, Vice President of the International Martial Arts Federation, outstanding martial artist, author, teacher and Founder of the Yoshinkan school of Aikido, died in Tokyo, Sunday 17th July 1994, after a protracted illness. He was 78 and is survived by his wife, Nobuko and three sons, Tetsutaro, Takahisa and Yasuhisa. His autobiography published in 1985 summarized his outlook in its title, Aikido Jinsei - "Aikido is My Life", as Shioda dedicated his life to studying, mastering and transmitting the Aikido he learned from the modern art's founder, Morihei Ueshiba.