The name ENSHIN is derived from two Japanese words: “en” meaning ‘open or unfinished circle’ and “shin” meaning ‘heart’ or ‘inner.’ The combination of these two words and their meanings embody the most important aspects of African Enshin Karate.
The ‘inner circle’ of Enshin Karate represents the strong bonds that keep us together. The strength of this community depends on the ability of each of us to listen to our hearts, and to relate to others through it.
The circle is the essence of the strategy and movement in African Enshin Karate. The infinite points on a circle represent the unlimited positions we move to and counter from in meeting an opponent. This circular movement that takes one out of a line of attack and into a position from which he can counter-attack is the basis for African Enshin Karate technique.
The Grandmasters of African Enshin Karate
African Enshin Karate is under the leadership of Shihan Trevor Fredericks and Shihan Reed Oliver. As a member of African Enshin Karate your training will be supervised through a seamless integration between discipline and efficiency. Training consists of three tenets, namely Kihon (technique), Kata (patterns and routines of movement to create muscle memory) and Kumite (application of techniques to simulate real life application). Collectively, they have over 100 years of experience in martial arts. That speaks volumes!
Shihan Trevor Fredericks pictured above
Shihan Trevor Fredericks born on 30 October 1963, started training in Kyokushin Karate in 1979. He met Reed Oliver in 1984 and together they started a dojo in Bonteheuwel. They joined Ashihara Karate with Brian Ebden in 1987 and a year later followed Kancho Joko Ninomiya when he formed his Enshin Karate organisation. Reed Oliver and Brian Ebden were the chief instructors of the style for South Africa at the time. In 1996, Trevor opened a dojo at the University of the Western Cape where he was the coach for more than 20 years currently holding the rank of Hachidan.
Shihan Reed Oliver pictured above
Shihan Reed Oliver, born on 30 October 1959, started training in Judo in 1966 and then in Kyokushin Karate with Fred van der Ross in 1970. Around 1976, he started training with Isgak Cassim and thereafter trained with Shihan Len Barnes at the Sea Point Honbu Dojo where some of the dojo students included Trevor Tockar, Kenny Uytenbogaardt, Hoosain Narker and others.Together with Trevor Fredericks, they opened a dojo in 1985. From Kyokushin they later joined Ashihara Karate then switched to Enshin Karate with Kancho Joko Ninomiya when he formed his Enshin Karate organisation. Years later they parted ways with Kancho Ninomiya and formed their own organisation – African Enshin Karate to focus on the development of students in Southern Africa. He holds the rank of Hachidan.
African Enshin Karate 