Dojo Ken Shin Kai was founded by Sensei Ciaran Mitchell in New Haw, Surrey, UK in 2008 following his return to UK from Hong Kong. It was in Hong Kong that he was introduced to Shorinjiryu Kenkokan Karatedo and Koshiki Karate by Shihan Pierre Ingrassia. Shihan Pierre had moved to Hong Kong in 1998 and set up Dojo Ken Shi Kai where Sensei Ciaran was one of his four first students. During his time training under Shihan Pierre he trained up to 16 hours a week in Koshiki karate and Aiki Jutsu, normally doing three sessions four times per week. He was a member of the succesful Hong Kong team that won numerous trophies and titles in tournaments in Hong Kong, Indonesia, Japan and Australia. He was graded to Sho Dan in 2002 by So Shihan Hanshi Hisataka. He represented UK in Portugal in European Open Tournament in 2002 and won a Bronze medal in Shiai (fighting) tournament. He continued training and teaching and graded to Nidan and in Feb 2012 to San Dan in Hombu Dojo in Tokyo Japan by So Shihan Hanshi Hisataka 9th Dan and Founder of Koshiki Karate.
Born in ireland, he first trained in boxing in the early 80s at the Arbour Hill Boxing Club in Dublin. It was there he met and trained along side the future World Boxing Champion Stevie Collins.
Sensei Ciaran has also trained in Shoot Fighting in early 90s with Australian Steve Richardson during his time in Hong Kong where he the hard way about ground work, take-downs and locks. He trained in Karate Jutsu during his time in London. on as well as Aikido for a period of time and Traditional Japanese Jujutsu.
The goal is to teach the style of Shorinjiryu Kenkokan Karatedo and Koshiki Karate to the best level possible and grow our club through the same passion and commitment shown by Sensei Pierre in his pursuit of excellence.