About Ryusei Karate-Do

 Ryusei Karate Do is a traditional Okinawan fighting art (kempo-bujustu) that combines the technique and spirit of Chito-Ryu karate with the ancient Okinawan martial art of todi. Chito-Ryu karate was founded by Master Chinen Kinchoku (who renamed himself Tsuyoshi Chitose), the Sixth Master of Todi.

As a fighting art, Ryusei Karate-Do includes the hand and foot strikes typically associated with karate, as well as throws, joint locks and pressure-point tactics derived from Okinawan todi. Ryusei karate is also dedicated to the cultivation of ki (internal energy) in its techniques and teaches the Okinawan art of weaponry, whose arsenal includes the bo (staff), sai (truncheon), nunchuku and tonfa (grindstone handle).

The Ryusei Karate-Do Federation was founded in 1997 as the governing organization of the karate style. The founder of the Kumamoto, Japan-based organization and the chief instructor of Ryusei Karate-Do is Ken Sakamoto.

 Peter Giffen, a seventh-degree black belt in Ryusei karate, with more than 40 years of experience as a practitioner and teacher. He travelled several times to Japan to train with Tsuyoshi Chitose (1898 to 1984), the 10th dan founder of Chito-Ryu, and his son-in-law Ken Sakamoto, the founder and current head of Ryusei Karate. Peter is the chief instructor of Ryusei Karate-Do Canada.

As a karate competitor, Peter was the former national heavyweight champion, captain of the Canadian karate team, and a member of the national team participating in the international Chito-Ryu Soke Cup tournament. To teach classes at Barrie Ryusei Karate, Peter is helped by dedicated black belt volunteer instructors, as well as senior kyu belt (colour belt) students.

He supplements his karate training with a black belt ranking in Ryukyu Kobudo (Okinawan weaponry), and a brand of tai chi featuring ascetic internal development practices.