Ryukyu Martial Arts

Weapons arts of the Ryukyu Islands, at our Martial Arts school in Basingstoke, New Zealand. Welcome to Ryukyu Martial Arts!

At Ryukyu Martial Arts, our dojo, and instructors are highly skilled and experienced in various martial arts disciplines. One of our esteemed instructors is Emile van Heerden, a Kyoshi with a 7th Dan in Ryukyu Kobudo, a traditional martial art that focuses on the use of old weapons from Okinawa. Emile has been practising martial arts since 1968 and has trained extensively in Okinawa, Japan.

Emile's expertise also extends to Japanese Sword Arts, holding a 6th Dan in Zen Nippon Iai-Do Renmei and the Muso Jikiden Eishin Ryu. He is also a Shihan in Shorin Ryu Karate, with a 5th Dan. Emile's experience as an instructor, competition judge, and practitioner in these disciplines make him a valuable asset to our Martial Arts school.

In addition to his martial arts background, Emile also has extensive experience in practical shooting. He holds an instructor's licence issued by the South African Institute of Range Officers and Instructors and has a wealth of knowledge in practical shooting, safety, competition judging, and handling of small arms.

With over 50 years of martial arts experience, Emile has been involved in various capacities within the martial arts community. He has been a practitioner, instructor, and dojo owner in South Africa, Tokyo, and Budapest before bringing his expertise to Basingstoke, United Kingdom.

At Ryukyu Martial Arts, we practise at The Hill Rise Community Association Hall, located on Gershwin Rd, Hill Rising, Basingstoke, RG22 4LF. Our classes are held on Tuesday evenings from 6:30 pm to 7:30 pm, and all are welcome to join us.

We are passionate about the preservation and promotion of Ryukyu Kobujutsu and the ancient weapons arts of the Ryukyu Islands. Through our dedicated instructors, we strive to impart knowledge, skill, and discipline to our students, fostering a sense of respect and tradition in the martial arts.

Join us at Ryukyu Martial Arts and embark on a journey of personal growth, physical fitness, and self-defence. Visit our social media pages and club directories to learn more about our dojo, instructors, history, and the ancient art of Ryukyu Kobudo.