TED CLARE
SENIOR MASTER
JUJUTSU & KOBUJUTSU TECHNICAL OFFICER
Bringing all of his martial arts education from over the last two decades of continuous training, Master Clare took the decision to open his own martial arts school which he named Tenchi-ryu, meaning Heaven and Earth School, after his personal martial arts philosophy. During this period, he also practiced the art of Kyusho-jutsu from the DKI, headed by Professor George Dillman. Kyusho-jutsu or pressure-point nerve attacks added another element to Kenpo Karate and help to demystify previously unexplained techniques found in kata. In 2012, Master Clare formed the Modern Kenpo Karate Association named after the newly developed style he had begun teaching. Presently, he holds the following proficiencies in martial arts:
Modern Kenpo Karate Tenchi Ryu, 6th Dan
Aiki Bujutsu Aizu Ryu, 5th Dan
Karate Do Shukokai Koshido Ryu, 4th Dan
Karate Do Shotokan Bushi Ryu, 4th Dan
Kobu Jutsu Bushin Ryu, 2nd Dan
Jujutsu Juko Ryu, 1st Dan
HOWARD DUTTON
INSTRUCTOR
CHINESE MARTIAL ARTS TECHNICAL OFFICER
Sifu Howard Dutton has been and remains hugely influential on the formation of the Modern Kenpo Karate Association. With his extensive experience in Chinese martial arts, having Sifu Howard attached to the association is a massve asset.
Sifu Howard began his training at Liverpool Hug Gar Kung Fu in February 1982 for seven years with Sifu Jimmy Chan. After his teacher passed, he carried on at the Liverpool kwoon for a while before training at his Di Si Hing's chip shop. Between 1993 and 1996 he also practiced Wild Goose Chi Gong and Heavenly River Monastery hard Chi Gong under Sifu Michael Tse in Manchester.
Circa 1995, his studies extended to Yang and Chen style Tai Chi with Sifu Kam Lau in Liverpool. In 1997, he moved his training to Sifu Li Ming in Manchester and continued practicing Chen Style Tai Chi. At the turn of the millennium, he was fortunate enough to be invited to practice with Sifu Pedro Cepero Yes in New Jersey, USA. He continued to visit and learn from that amazing group until 2007.
As well as his extensive and storied training in various Chinese Martial Arts systems, the Modern Kenpo Karate Association recognises him as 5th Dan proficiency. Currently, Sifu Howard is working and teaching Tai Chi in Knowsley on Merseyside.
RICHARD SANDBACH
ASSISTANT INSTRUCTOR
SENIOR KENPO KARATE TECHNICAL OFFICER
From the age of seven, Richard began training in Koshido-Ryu Karate under the late Dave Warburton-sensei – it was here that he first met Ted Clare-sensei, who was the assistant instructor at the time. Karate was a pillar of his personal growth throughout his formative years and determined many of the characteristics that he continues to bear today – principally an ethical and moral core. This drove him to not only dedicate himself to the study of martial arts but to also pursue excellence in his academic studies as he viewed physical strength as but half of the equation.
A chance reunion with Senior Master Ted Clare, who had gone on his own separate path prior to leaving the SKU, led to him extolling the virtues of Kenpo. Without hesitation he returned to zero and started to build his martial arts over, under the guidance of his latest teacher learning Tenchi-Ryu Modern Kenpo Karate. Able to stand on the foundations of a more complete martial art which has retained useful elements from his past studies and integrated them with practical principles, elements and techniques from Senior Master Ted's extensive experience.
Modern Kenpo Karate Tenchi Ryu, 1st Dan
Karate Do Shukokai Koshido Ryu, 2nd Dan
INSTRUCTOR DESIGNATION
MODERN KENPO KARATE JUTSU
The Modern Kenpo Karate Association has a clear grading structure which identifies our members as instructors once they have achieved a level of proficiency. The following is the classification for Modern Kenpo Karate Jutsu:
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1st Kyu Brown Belt, Assistant Instructor
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1st-3rd Dan Black Belt, Full Instructor
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4th-5th Dan Black Belt, Master Level
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6th Dan Black & Red Belt, Senior Master Level
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7th Dan Black & Red Belt, Senior Master of the Arts
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8th Dan Black & Red Belt, Grand Master
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9th Dan Black & Red Belt, Senior Grand Master
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10th Dan Black & Red Belt, Professor