Stoke Ninja achieves highest teaching rank.

Paul Richards, instructor of the Shinobi-Kai Stoke Dojo in Longton has been given the title of Shihan or Master Teacher. Paul has been learning Ninjutsu for the last 30 years and often attends seminars around the UK to help improve his skills. Paul has taught in Stoke-on-Trent for the last two decades, taking many students through the belt system to achieve a black belt in Ninjutsu. Ninjutsu is a very secretive martial art with people outside of the art rarely understanding its history and place in the martial arts. The ninja (previously know as the yamabushi or mountain warriors) started out as farm workers and people who worked the land. The samurai saw the benefits of the Ninjutsu art and the Ninja became the special forces division of the samurai army.  Ninjutsu today has a foothold in samurai jujutsu with the two arts being inseparable. Paul said, “What inspired me to begin training in Ninjutsu and to keep on learning for over 30 years is the variety of techniques, katas and various methods of self-protection available. I’ve had the pleasure of training with some amazing people and making many good friends along the way. Even now I’m older, I can still practice the art and benefit from exercising while doing something fun”. The Shinobi-Kai Stoke training group use the Kahen-Sei Dojo in Longton. With a fully equipped dojo , these facilities are a major hub for anyone looking to try a combat or sport discipline in Stoke-on-Trent. Wayne Thomas, owner and Sensei of the Kahen-Sei Dojo said “The facilities are for everyone regardless of which organisation, which martial art or which style you practice as long as every respects everyone else in the dojo“.

Photo, Wayne Thomas, Paul Richards and Nick Passam.