About
Our History
Denshinkan - 伝進館 - means a school that continues to evolve while respecting the classical tradition. Den (classical), Shin (evolving), Kan (academy). It's pronounced Den-Shin-Kahn, and it describes how we've trained since 1997.
Where we came from: The school opened in 1997 as the Shotokan Karate-Do Association, founded by Sensei Brian Donaldson. Over the years the curriculum widened: Zanshin Kobudo and the Adelaide Academy of Combat and Defence name in 2001, Combat Hapkido in 2004. The search was always for something more complete, and in 2010 it ended with Koryu Uchinadi Kenpo Jutsu. In 2011 the club became Denshinkan.
Where we are now: Denshinkan is a small adults-only dojo in Modbury North, led by Lachlan and James, who both graded to Yudansha in 2026, with Shawn Donaldson continuing as coach and mentor. Small is deliberate. It means real attention and training that adapts to you.
What We Teach
Koryu Uchinadi Kenpo Jutsu is a modern interpretation of Okinawa's historic combative methods, drawing on Muay Boran (Thai striking), Chin Na (Chinese grappling and balance displacement), and native Okinawan wrestling.
It is non-competitive and entirely application-based. Alongside the physical practice sits moral philosophy, history and academic study - Bun Bu Ryu Do, the twin paths of the pen and the sword.
The seven elements, Uke (striking and receiving), Gyaku (reversals), Kansetsu (locks), Shime (chokes), Nage (throws), Ne (groundwork), and Tegumi (flowing them together), cover the full range of combat, training the transitions between ranges rather than treating them as separate skills.
Grading follows the international Koryu Uchinadi syllabus, coloured kyu grades from yellow through brown before black belt, based on demonstrated understanding rather than time served.
Affiliation
Certified through the IRKRS. Denshinkan is affiliated with the International Ryukyu Karate Research Society, founded by Hanshi Patrick McCarthy - 10th Dan, author of the definitive English translation of the Bubishi, and creator of Koryu Uchinadi Kenpo Jutsu.
The IRKRS has operated since 1988 and opened to the public in 1996. It is information-based rather than style-bound: the emphasis is on functionality and research over ritual and lineage politics.
We are the only dojo in South Australia dedicated to Koryu Uchinadi as our core curriculum. Our grades are issued under the international KU syllabus, not invented in-house. Learn more at koryu-uchinadi.com