By Frank R. Ulery, Soke (Founder)
Just what exactly is Bushi Kai Shorinji?
Bushi Kai Shorinji is interpreted as the Warrior Society of Shaolin. What it happens to be is an organization of martial arts professionals from various backgrounds that have banded together in order to share techniques, philosophies and methods of learning, using and living the martial way of Shaolin. Frank Ulery founded the society in early 2005 in Louisville, Kentucky. With over 35 years of experience in formal martial arts, Ulery has long been an advocate of practical applications and diversity in training. Ranked in Shaolin Kung Fu, Kodakan Judo and Ju-Jitsu, Ulery has taught his students to mix techniques to fit the situation for years. A former high school and college wrestler, he has used this training along with his martial arts, military and law enforcement experience to filter through impractical techniques and dojo politics in order to provide his students with a more user friendly and more easily applied system of personal combat. Ulery named the system Bushi Kai Shorinji.
Is this a new system of martial art?
No. Bushi Kai Shorinji is a mixed martial art that incorporates techniques from, or is influenced by, several different established martial arts. Soke (Founder) Ulery has belts in three different martial arts and has practiced a few others without attaining formal rank. The instructors of the various affiliated schools either have more than one belt in different arts, or have studied different arts while maintaining rank in one primary art. The bottom line is that there are only so many different ways to punch, kick, block, throw, thrust and choke. Where the difference comes is in the philosophy and the practical application of the various techniques.
Is Bushi Kai Shorinji a Japanese or a Chinese art?
Bushi Kai Shorinji has been primarily influenced by martial arts that can trace their origins to Chinese roots. Soke Ulery’s primary art is Shaolin Kung Fu, a Chinese art. His second art is Kodakan Judo, which is a Japanese art. Study of Judo often incorporates Ju-Jitsu and Ulery has a ranking in that. He has also studied Byakuren Karate, which is the devastating full contact karate that comes from Shorinji Kempo. Shorinji Kempo is the Japanese version of Shaolin. There have been other arts that Soke Ulery has studied since he first started martial arts training in 1967. These arts, along with practical experience gained from real life defensive situations, have shaped the content of Bushi Kai Shorinji.
Do I have to have previous martial arts training to become a student in Bushi Kai Shorinji?
No previous experience is required to become a student in Bushi Kai Shorinji. Any experience you may have in athletics, martial arts, law enforcement or military service will speed your progress. But the system of delivery in Bushi Kai Shorinji allows even first time students to enter training as a beginner and become reasonably proficient in personal combat in a short length of time.
What do students wear during Bushi Kai Shorinji training?
Many students wear a traditional karate uniform, called a “gi”. Others wear kung fu or ju-jitsu uniforms. There is no standard uniform for students to wear during training. However, due to the amount of grappling and dynamic movement done during training, it is necessary that uniforms are durable enough to withstand the stress of throwing, explosive movement and mat work. We have found that the heavier weight Kung Fu uniforms fit our needs very well. Uniforms should be purchased through your instructor. Occasionally, there are classes where students wear street clothes, just as they would everyday. This allows students to train, as they would fight. But the clothing should be able to withstand striking, grappling techniques and explosive movement.
Are students awarded rank during their study of Bushi Kai Shorinji?
Yes, indeed. Bushi Kai Shorinji adheres to the standard belt system used in Japan. Evaluations are an ongoing process within our system. While formal testing for rank advancement normally occurs every four months, if a student can demonstrate solid proficiency in between scheduled formal rank advancement, it is not unheard of that they would receive advancement to the next level. It is acknowledged that not everyone learns and advances at the same pace. Accordingly, we try very hard to consider that and recognize individual skills. With that said, our belt system is from beginner White Belt to Yellow, Blue, Green, Brown and Black Belts. There are three degrees of Brown Belt and nine degrees of Black Belt. You can see our bets system by Clicking Here.
Bushi Kai Shorinji contains striking techniques and grappling techniques. Are there any weapons taught?
Classical Kung Fu fighting systems contain many different animal styles of empty-hand and weapons training. The Judo and Ju-jitsu techniques are predominately empty-hand, but some wooden and bladed weapons techniques are practiced. Bushi Kai Shorinji contains quite a few wooden, inertia and bladed weapons forms and training techniques. As a student progresses in skill, they will be exposed to increasingly more sophisticated pieces of material in empty-hand and weapons systems.
Is there any mental training or meditation in Bushi Kai Shorinji?
As stated previously, Bushi Kai Shorinji is a mix of more than one art. These various arts contain more material than most serious practitioners would be able to learn in a lifetime. Contained within these systems are internal, or soft, systems and varying levels of meditative breathing. Of course, your mental or internal training starts almost immediately upon entering the class, even if on a more basic level. The successful practitioner will be able to balance the mental and physical aspects of the martial arts training and will understand that if broken down into thirds, it will be one third physical and two thirds mental training.