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Matsubayashi-ryu Australia

The Matsubayashi-ryu Karate Association of Australia (MKAA) is a registered non-profit organisation and has been teaching the traditional Okinawan style Matsubayashi-ryu (Shorin-ryu), consisting of karate and kobudo for more than 20 years. The Australian association was officially formed in 1999 by Sensei John Carlyle, Kyoshi 7th Dan.
The MKAA, and its member dojo, are the only organisation in Australia that is officially recognised and authorised to teach by the late Soke Takayoshi Nagamine, and the current Board of Directors of the World Matsubayashi-ryu (Shorin-ryu) Karate-do Association located in Okinawa, Japan, the association that Osensei Shoshin Nagamine founded.
Since the sudden passing of Soke Takayoshi Nagamine in April 2012, the Australian association has remained under the direction of the WMKA Board of Directors in Okinawa. The MKAA is an official representative of the Kodokan Arakaki Karate Dojo and Vice-President Sensei Toshimitsu Arakaki, Fuku-Kaicho, Hanshi 10th Dan and the World Matsubayashi-ryu (Shorin-ryu) Karate-do Association. The MKAA was established in order to promote, teach and spread traditional Okinawan Karate-do throughout Australia. The MKAA teaches traditional Matsubayashi-ryu Karate-do, as founded in 1947 by Osensei Shoshin Nagamine, Hanshi 10th Dan, and taught to Sensei John Carlyle, and Sensei Reece Cummings, by the second generation headmaster, Soke Takayoshi Nagamine, Hanshisei 10th Dan, and son of the founder. The two official WMKA Dojo Owners and Regional Representatives in Australia are the Association's Chief Instructor and National Director Sensei John Carlyle (Kyoshi, 7th Dan); and the Canberra Head Instructor, Sensei Reece Cummings (5th Dan). Both representatives were originally issued their dojo owner licence from the 2nd Soke of Matsubayashi-ryu, the late Soke Takayoshi Nagamine, Hanshisei 10th Dan, and continued to hold certification under the Okinawan Headquarters (So-Honbu) of the World Matsubayashi-ryu (Shorin-ryu) Karate-do Association.
All official dojo who are licensed by, and authorised to teach Matsubayashi-ryu Karate-do in Australia are listed on this website. All of the dojo were originally licensed by Soke Takayoshi Nagamine. Since Soke Nagamine's passing in 2012, the MKAA continues to remain under the direction of the World Matsubayashi-ryu (Shorin-ryu) Karate-do Association and it's President, Sensei Yoshitaka Taira, Kaicho, Hanshi 10th Dan and Vice-President, Sensei Toshimitsu Arakaki, Fuku-Kaicho, Hanshi 10th Dan. The Association has dojo located throughout Australia, including Wingham (Honbu), Taree, Harrington, Laurieton, Canberra, and Kalgoorlie.
Matsubayashi-ryu is one of the main branches of Okinawan Karate-do practiced in Okinawa today, and was one of the styles which was in the first karate federation in Okinawa. Matsubayashi-ryu is characterised by natural, flowing, fluid and snap, or whip-like techniques. It is a karate-based system with a strong focus on practical and realistic applications. Matsubayashi-ryu Karate-do aims to acheive:
  • Versatile self-defence skills
  • Heightened co-ordination & reflexes
  • Discipline
  • Confidence
  • Fitness, health, stamina & flexibility
  • Cultivation & life-style development
  • Culture & history
  • Stress management
  • Ability to protect yourself and your loved ones

Chief Instructor Australia

Sensei John Carlyle, Kyoshi 7th Dan
Sensei John Carlyle is the Chief Instructor and National Director (Honbucho) for Matsubayashi-ryu Australia. He is also the owner and Head Instructor (Kancho) for the dojo located in Wingham, Harrington, Laurieton and Taree.
Sensei Carlyle holds a 7th Dan in Matsubayashi-ryu Karate-do and has been practising Karate-do for 50 years. He also holds the teaching licence of Kyoshi (expert teacher), awarded by the WMKA Okinawa Headquarters. Sensei Carlyle was a direct student of the late Soke Takayoshi Nagamine, Hanshisei 10th Dan, the second generation headmaster and son of the founder of Matsubayashi-ryu, Osensei Shoshin Nagamine.
Since the passing of Soke Nagamine in April 2012, Sensei Carlyle has returned to Okinawa to receive instruction from the senior instructors of Matsubayashi-ryu. Sensei Carlyle has since become a student and official representative of Sensei Toshimitsu Arakaki, Hanshi 10th Dan, who was also a direct student of Osensei Shoshin Nagamine.
He has travelled to Okinawa and the United States multiple times to train with Soke Takayoshi Nagamine, and senior Matsubayashi-ryu instructors. Sensei Carlyle has received his grade, dojo owner licence, and teaching certification directly from Soke Nagamine.
Sensei Carlyle was also the first instructor to host Soke Nagamine in the Oceania region in 2007, when he brought Soke Nagamine to Australia for over a week of intensive training and an open-styles seminar.
  • A brief history of Sensei Carlyle's karate history:

  • 2024 Graded to 7th Dan and awarded the Kyoshi teaching title at the WMKA World Seminar in Okinawa.
  • 2023 Celebrated 50 years in the martial arts.
  • 2013, 2016, 2017, 2019, 2023 Hosted Sensei Toshimitsu Arakaki in Australia for intensive training.
  • 2019 Travelled to the USA to participate in a seminar with Sensei Toshimitsu Arakaki.
  • 2019 Celebrated the MKAA's 20th anniversary.
  • 2006, 2010, 2012, 2014, 2016, 2018, 2023, 2024 Travelled to Okinawa for intensive training with various Matsubayashi-ryu senior instructors, including Soke Takayoshi Nagamine and Sensei Toshimitsu Arakaki.
  • 2016 Obtained the teaching title of Renshi while in Okinawa.
  • 2014 Obtained the grade of 6th Dan while in Okinawa.
  • 2009 Celebrated the MKAA's 10th anniversary.
  • 2007, 2009, 2011 Hosted Soke Takayoshi Nagamine in Australia for intensive training and seminars.
  • 2007 Travelled to the USA to participate in World Seminar with Soke Takayoshi Nagamine.
  • 2001, 2005 Hosted senior USA instructor Sensei Fred Christian, Kyoshi 8th Dan in Australia.
  • 2000 Official WMKA Licence issued from Okinawa Matsubayashi-ryu Headquarters.
  • 1999 Established the Matsubayashi-ryu Karate Association of Australia.
  • 1990s Changed karate style to Matsubayashi-ryu.
  • 1975 Changed karate style to Shotokan.
  • 1973 Commenced karate training in Kyokushinkai.
  • T0 read an interview and article published about Sensei Carlyle, click here.

Australian Instructors

SENSEI REECE CUMMINGS, 5TH DAN Australian Senior Instructor Head Instructor (ACT) Sensei Cummings is the owner and Head Instructor (Kancho) of the Kodokan Cummings Karate Dojo in Canberra.See www.KarateCanberra.com.au for more information.
SENSEI SHAYNE JENNINGS, 4TH DAN Australian Senior Instructor Assistant Instructor (NSW) Sensei Jennings is one of the senior students of the MKAA, and for many years was the lead instructor at the Taree Dojo.
SENSEI REBECCA CAVANAGH, 4TH DAN Australian Senior Instructor Assistant Instructor (NSW) Sensei Cavanagh is one of the most senior students of the MKAA, and is a regular instructor at the Wingham and Taree Dojo, as well as assisting at many events and seminars.
SENSEI SUSAN & MATT EDWARDS, 1ST DAN Western Australia (WA) Lead Instructors Sensei Matt and Susan Edwards are the co-lead instructors of the Kalgoorlie Karate Academy.See www.KalgoorlieKarate.com.au for more information.

Australian Yudansha (Digital Nafudakake)

The below list includes all students who have obtained a Yudan (dan grade) under the Matsubayashi-ryu Karate Association of Australia. Students with an asterix (*) are no longer actively training.
Nanadan (7th Dan) 七段 John Carlyle, Kyoshi, Honbucho (NSW)
Godan (5th Dan) 五段 Reece Cummings, Kancho (ACT)
Yondan (4th Dan) 四段 Rebecca Cavanagh (NSW) Shayne Jennings (NSW) Ryan (NSW)
Sandan (3rd Dan) 参段 Greg (NSW)* Liz (NSW) Mike (ACT)Fred (ACT)
Nidan (2nd Dan) 弐段 Dave (ACT)* Simon (NSW)* Vanessa (NSW)* Sean (ACT) Nicky (ACT) Arianto (ACT) Phil (NSW) Hernan (NSW) Kathryn (NSW) Aaron (NSW) An (NSW, now QLD) May (ACT)Minh (ACT) Tien (ACT) Advaith (ACT)
Shodan (1st Dan) 初段 Monique (NSW)* Helen (ACT)* Chris (ACT)* Elizabeth (NSW)* Jadranka (NSW) Antonio (ACT)* Jess (ACT) Steven (NSW) Herenui (ACT)* Nicolin (ACT)* Alex (NSW) Quedesha (NSW) David (NSW) Matthew Edwards (WA) Susan Edwards (WA) Hannah (WA) Khoi (ACT) Josh (ACT) Valentin (ACT) Quentin (ACT) Lochlainn (ACT, now WA) Ian (ACT) Huy (ACT) Dylan (ACT) David (ACT) [Shodan-ho]*

FAQs

Q: How do I pick a good Karate, or martial arts school?With little or no experience in martial arts, it can often be a difficult task to select a good and appropriate martial arts school. The only way to properly check out a school is by visiting it, however when you visit it you can look for the following things:
  • Accreditation. Check out what associations & recognised bodies that the school is associated with. If the school is associated with an international karate/martial arts organisation it is more likely to have a standard and tested cirriculum.
  • Facility. Don't be fooled by appearance alone. Whilst a dirty or untidy studio is not acceptable, a fully-equipped & commercial looking studio may not provide quality instruction. The most important thing in a dojo is the people, not the furnishings.
  • Ask questions. Before class and after class ask both the instructors and students questions. Such questions like: what do you most like about the class? why do you train here? what can this school help me achieve?
  • Instructor's Certification. Ask about the instructors certification. If you feel unsure about whether the person is telling the truth or not (probably get out of there), but you could also ask to see proof/documentation.
  • Visit different schools and see which one you prefer. Most instructors would prefer to know that you have chosen their school because it fits you, rather than you leaving at a later date as you found something that 'fits you better' because you never looked around first.
  • Do not focus purely on their rank. Being a black belt, or a 7th degree black belt does not necessarily mean they are a good teacher. However, a school owner should generally be a 2nd degree black belt or higher in order to ensure they have a good knowledge base of the system.
  • Lineage. Do not be afraid to ask about the instructor's instructor. Where he/she trained, or how long they have been training. Authentic schools, especially Karate dojo should have no problem in listing their instructors, or tracing their lineage back to solid sources.
  • Contracts & cost. If your school is part of a professional gym, you may be required to sign a contract for 6 months or a year, however if the school is not you should avoid signing contracts. Payment should be per class or on a monthly basis. Expensive classes does not necessarily equal quality.
  • Free lesson or trial period. All schools should provide a no-strings attached free class, or no-strings attached trial period.
  • Watch a class. Schools should not keep 'closed doors' and reputable schools will most likely allow you to watch a class before you even do your first FREE lesson.
  • Sport-based or self-defence based. Whilst these don't necessarily have to be seperate, they often are. You should ensure that you know what you want to get out of martial arts primarily. If you want to compete in tournaments, ensure you ask the instructor about this. However, no school should force you to compete for promotions or a like.

Q: How fit do I need to be to start Karate classes?There is no minimum fitness requirement as the class instructors will structure the lesson so that you are able to participate to the best of your ability, but ensuring you try your hardest.
Q: What is the basic structure of a Karate class?The classes are formatted using the 3 Ks: Kihon, Kata & Kumite (Basics, Forms & Sparring). The class will generally start with warm ups & stretches, followed by revision of basic techniques, kata practice, partner drills and practices which are specifically chosen for that class.
Q: What is Karate?Karate is a martial art and form of self-defence that originated in Okinawa hundreds of years ago, and was greatly influenced by martial arts systems from China. Karate literally means empty (kara) hand (te) and it refers to the use of hands, feet and the body as a weapon. However, Karate is more than just physical aspects, through hard training and dedication it provides cultivation of the mind and focuses on development of the principles of Bushido, such as the mind, body & character.
Q: What sort of Karate do you teach?All of our dojos teach Matsubayashi-ryu, which is a branch of traditional Okinawan Shorin-Ryu Karate-Do. Our cirriculum is monitored by the World Matsubayashi-ryu (Shorin-ryu) Karate-do Association (WMKA) as directed by it's President, Sensei Yoshitaka Taira. The MKAA maintains a heavy influence from it's primary instructor, Soke Takayoshi Nagamine, who was from Okinawa and the head of Matsubayashi-ryu. Soke Nagamine is the son of the style's founder, Osensei Shoshin Nagamine.
Q: What associations are you affiliated with?The Matsubayashi-ryu Karate Association of Australia is the official branch for Matsubayashi-ryu in Australia of the World Matsubayashi-ryu (Shorin-ryu) Karate-do Association (WMKA).
Q: Do you have beginner-only classes?This depends on the dojo you are chosing to join. However, the best way to learn Karate is to join a class which has a variety of skilled practioners. By having beginner students with more advanced students, beginners are able to watch and copy the more advanced students as well as gain more benefit from training with an advanced student during partner drills.
Q: What do I wear?For your first class, we recommend you wear comfortable clothing that is loose fitting, such as a T-shirt and shorts or track-pants. You will not need to wear shoes. If you wish to continue with Karate after trying it out, you will be required to buy a Karate Uniform or 'Do-gi'. You can enquire about this by contacting the specific dojo.
Q: How much does Karate cost?You will need to contact the specific dojo you are interested in joining for exact costs, however you will generally be expected to pay an annual membership fee (to cover insurance & association registation) and a per-class fee.
Q: How large are the classes / how many people are in a class?The size will depend on the individual dojo and you are advised to contact the specific dojo you are looking at joining. However, we endevour to keep the class size at a good instructor to student ratio as to allow more effective learning. The advantage of having a small class size is that you get more direct supervision and instruction.
Q: Am I too old to start Karate?Karate, unlike sports such as soccer or football can be continued for many years, and well past retirement age! Many senior karate practioners & teachers have been well into their 60s, 70s and 80s. No matter your age, the health benefits of Karate will still be there.
Q: What are the injury risks for Karate?The injury risk is dramatically lower than most other sports. Any contact that you have between two or more people will be closely supervised and controlled. All Head Instructors are first aid qualified and are responsbile for ensuring that all people are in a safe environment.
Q: How long does it take to become a black belt?There is no definate time period that can be said. The length taken will depend on how regularly you train, how hard and your dedication. The minimum time required is 3 years and the minimum age is 16 years old.
Q: I have physical restrictions (ie knee, back), can I still do Karate?As discussed in the fitness FAQ, the instructor will cater what (s)he is teaching to ensure that you are able to perform it to the best of your ability, and you will be able to work around your injuries, most likely being able to achieve the same result by an alternative method. If you do have an injury, ensure that you inform the Instructor so they can cater for it, and ensure that you do not obtain any further injury. Karate also develops muscle strength in most areas of the body, such as wrist, legs, ankles, back, chest and therefore can often help in assisting the recovery of a prior injury.
Q: What are the benefits of traditional Okinawa Karate, such as Matsubayashi-ryu?Matsubayashi-ryu Karate will provide you with a range of skills including, but not limited to: heightened co-ordination & reflexs, discipline, confidence, fitness & health, stamina, cultivation & life style development, culture & history, self-defence, stress management, flexibility and the skills that will enable you to protect yourself, and your loved ones.
Q: Where are all of your dojo located?Yes, in check our Dojo Locations for more info.
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