About Kongokonsui Dojo

Dojo (club) History

The dojo can trace our origins back to China and we have been training in England since 1958.

The first dojo opened in London in 1958. Sensei Ian Gouge moved to Somerset in 1975 and opened a dojo in West Monkton near Taunton which thrived and had many students. That dojo closed in 2010 when Sensei Ian decided to retire. 

Sensei Ian had a number of black belts but only two have continued training, Sensei Terry Irwin and Sensei Mark Irwin, who decided to open a dojo in their home town of Langport, Somerset. 

The Dojo opened on the 3rd March 2010 and then moved venue to Long Sutton, Somerset a few miles down the road.

At Kongokonsui Dojo, Sensei Terry and Sensei Mark have over sixty years of Karate training and do not receive any payment for teaching. Their mission is to pass on the art of Ryukyu karate to future generations.

A typical class

The first hour (7-8pm) with adults and children typical comprises:

• Warm-up & conditioning: jogging, stretching, and basic strength work to prepare the body.

• Fundamental techniques (Kihon): Practicing punches, kicks, blocks, and stances to build precision and power.

• Pairwork practice sparring (Kumite): Working with a partner on self-defense, timing, distance, and control.

• Depending on their skill and progress, some children may start to learn kata (pre-arranged blocking and attackings movements/forms).

The second hour (8-9pm) is a follow on session for adults only which typically comprises:

• Kata practice (form): Learning and refining forms that teach technique, rhythm, balance, and focus  

• Bunkai (application): Partner drills that explore the real-world self-defence techniques embedded in the kata, often done at close range with emphasis on efficiency and control.