RyuKyu Karate

Born in Nuneaton in 1947, Hanshi Michael Benfell began learning Ju-Jitsu from his father at the age of 6. His father, Roland Benfell, started learning Ju-Jitsu in 1932 whilst he was in the boy scouts, from a scout master and policeman who trained in the London Budokwai, and continued through his war service. His father also introduced him to Karate and Gung-Fu when he was 14.

At the age of 17 Hanshi Benfell trained with Sensei Kenshiro Abbe, learning Judo, Jujitsu and Budo. At about the same time he trained with Sensei Otani learning Judo and Ju-Jitsu.

At 23 Hanshi Benfell was introduced to Shotokan Karate and often trained under Sensei Enoeda in Leicester and Coventry. He also continued to train with Sensei Tatso Suzuki learning Wada-Ryu Karate.

Throughout his 20’s and early 30’s Hanshi Benfell trained in Fu-Jaw-Pai Gung-Fu (Tiger Ripping Style), learning from Master Tom Carey, Grandmaster Bob Johnson and Master Ted Harris.

His biggest influence however was Sensei Morio Higoanna from the Okinawan Goju-Ryu Karate, training often at his various visits to the UK. Hanshi Benfell’s whole concept of martial arts changed, as he was awe struck at how much power someone of Sensei Higoanna’s size could generate (not being of particularly large frame). He was also impressed by Higoanna’s presence, passion and insights, helping him to understand what he was doing and see martial arts as they should be, not merely as a sport.

Prior to this Hanshi Benfell sought trophies and achievement (with much success). He now sees martial arts as being forever, passing on but not just for the young, like a good wine maturing with age and experience. He maintains that sports styles have lost many aspects of the arts and can therefore only offer the practitioner a little. “How many sports artists do you see punching a bag and skipping well into their old age? Whereas, with Kata and technique there is always something to practice and gain from”. He strongly maintains that we have no right to change the traditional systems and how they are taught.

Hanshi Benfell also worked as a doorman in the Coventry area for 4 years, which brought plenty of “real world” situations. This brings a rare but useful perspective with which to view martial arts, which is lacking from many practitioners, who know the theory backwards but that’s all.

This author made the mistake of asking how many styles and recognised grades Hanshi Benfell has. He presented a suitcase full of certificates too numerous to fully list here. Included are: recognition of his 9th Dan in To Te Jutsu into the World Head of Family by the Sokeship Council; recognition of his 9th Level Gung-Fu by the World Martial Arts Master Society; 9th Dan Kempo Karate by the World Nibuikai Budo Federation; Shaolin Kempo 8th Level; International Chinese Boxing Chuan Tao Kempo Federation 8th Level; 8th Level gold sash from the World & Hong Kong Federation of Chinese Martial Arts; etc. etc.!

With fellow instructors Hanshi Benfell became one of the founder members of the Gao-Shan-Pai-Wu-Shu Association. Although no longer an active instructor for Gao Shan, he set up the Ryukyu Association of Karate and Gung-Fu (of which he is Chairman) and practices and teaches in the Ryukyu School of Martial Arts in Nuneaton (as Chief Instructor).

As a person Hanshi Benfell is modest, friendly, funny and likes nothing more than a good chat. He runs his club democratically and relatively informally, seeing it more as “our” club than “his” club. Passionate about martial arts few lessons are ever the same and always offer students a wide variety of training whether it be insights into kata, weapons, technique, breathing or Shiatsu massage!