INTERNATIONAL SHURIWAY KARATE & KOBUDO SOCIETY

ADAM CARTER - RYUKYU KARATE JUTSU

Adam Carter, has been studying, training and practicing karate for over 50 years, teaching since 1985. Currently ranked Hachidan (8th Dan) Black Belt and with the teaching title of Hanshi, teaching in the Okinawan karate tradition.

Carter-sensei first began studying karate in 1974 while at school in the UK under Tatsuo Suzuki sensei of Wadō-ryū, having previously done a small amount of boxing as a youth.

In late 1981, he began training in Shinjin-Ryu Okinawa-te under Katsumi Tamaki sensei 10th dan. After relocating in February 1984, he started practicing Sankukai karate at a local sports centre dojo.

Roger Mills, 8th dan Kyoshi (then 5th dan), was the instructor, a competitor and nationally qualified referee. His assistants were Dave Ireland sensei, 4th dan, and Bob Sergent sensei, 7th dan (then 3rd dan). In 1985, Mills-sensei transitioned to Shito-Ryu karate under Kusano Kenji and Tsukada Ryozo of Kusano-ha Shito-Ryu Karate-do.

Adam Carter 8th dan Hanshi

Adam Carter and Mabuni Kenei Soke

In the 1980s and 1990s, Carter-sensei competed in numerous karate tournaments across the UK and Europe, placing highly both individually and with his dojo team.

He completely immersed himself in karate, seeking out instructors and dojo from many other styles, including Shotokan, Kyokushin and Goju Ryu. Ronnie Colwell-sensei said, "It’s wonderful to see a person so deeply interested in Budo as you are.”

While training under Mills-sensei, Carter-sensei focused on sport-oriented karate, but he aspired to a more classical, pragmatic form. This led him to travel across the UK, USA, Japan, and Okinawa in search of practical concepts and training methods. In August 1997, he left the dojo to focus on developing his own approach.

In September 2000, Carter-sensei was introduced to Mabuni Kenzo sensei, son of the founder of Shito-Ryu karate Mabuni Kenwa (1889–1952), and became his official representative and senior instructor for the UK in Seito Shito-Ryu (the pure/original form).

In September 2000 Carter sensei became a member of the Shito-Ryu International Karate-Do Kai, under Mabuni Kenzo Soke, the son of the founder of Shito-Ryu karate, Mabuni Kenwa (1889-1952), as his official UK representative and senior instructor for England, in Seito (pure/original) Shito-Ryu.

After Mabuni Kenzo sensei passed away in 2005, Carter-sensei continued to visit dojo and attend seminars and courses with many Okinawan and Japanese masters, both home and abroad, also training with many of the top Japanese and Okinawan karate instructors who visited the UK and Europe.

Early Days with Tsukada-sensei & Mills-sensei

Adam Carter and Hidetoshi Nakahashi

His interests have always been in the application of two-person drills within Okinawan kata. His research has taken him to many Japanese and Okinawan instructors who practice the "Koryu" systems of karate (the old ways).

After being invited to teach in the US in 2014 and 2015, Carter-sensei relocated from the UK to the Chicago suburbs in 2016, teaching permanently at his own dojo.

In January 2020, Carter-sensei was awarded the grade of 8th dan (Hachidan), the highest teaching title of Hanshi in Okinawan Shuri-Te Karate, and was presented with the traditional “Aka Obi” (Red Belt) by a group of senior martial artists from the National Martial Arts Association.

Due to the challenges brought by the COVID-19 pandemic, he was forced to close his storefront dojo. Rather than stop teaching, he chose to continue training a dedicated group of students at his home dojo.

On a trip back to the UK in September 2023, Carter-sensei reunited with Katsumi Tamaki sensei 10th dan, maintaining a continuous connection since training at his Bracknell-based dojo in the early 1980s. During this visit, Tamaki sensei, along with senior instructor Rhys Collins sensei, 9th dan, officially endorsed and ratified Carter-sensei's 8th dan rank and title of Hanshi. They also agreed to serve as mentors and advisors to Carter-sensei and the Shuri Dojo, a privilege that Carter-sensei received with genuine humility.

He is passionate about the classical fighting arts but prioritizes functionality and pragmatism, inspired by teachers such as Ronnie Colwell, Patrick McCarthy, Iain Abernethy, and Vince Morris. No direct lineage is implied.

Today, Carter-sensei teaches a synthesis of classical Okinawan and Japanese methods, which he has named Ryukyu Karate Jutsu, emphasizing practical application and the pre-modern principles of the art.

Teaching karate since 1985, Carter-sensei enjoys sharing over five decades of experience with his students. He continues to teach and practice the Ryukyu arts at the Shuri Dojo to this day.

Adam Carter 8th dan Hanshi

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