Adapted from an article
that appeared in
Mensa Magazine April 2000
The Genteel Art of Gentle Persuasion:
Shinseido, the thinking person's martial art.
By Y.Y. Turnstone.
It's a jungle out there! Newspaper and television reports tell us that violent crime is increasing every decade. For many people, the fear of muggers or rapists is very real. Wouldn't it be wonderful to be able to become a martial arts expert, without having to face the traumas of a martial arts club? All those belligerent young men leaping around and shouting at you in Japanese! There may be a solution!
On the northern outskirts of Sevenoaks, in the heart of Kent in the UK, lies the parish of Riverhead. In a central position, next to St Mary's Church, stands the village hall. If one were to call into the hall on a Tuesday or Friday evening, or Sunday morning, one would be faced with a group of people earnestly studying an ancient oriental martial art. The visitor would be greeted politely, offered a chair, and invited to watch the proceedings. After a while, the senior instructor would wander over for a chat and explain some of the principles and philosophy of the art, for this is the main training centre for Shinseido.
This is a martial arts club with a difference. Shinseido is rooted in a traditional system (Matsumura Shurite: Shorin Ryu) developed on the island of Okinawa, but allegedly originating from ancient techniques used by the monks at the Shaolin Temple at the base of the Song-shang Mountain in China. Shaolin tsu is also known in its modern form as Shorin Ryu which can be translated as "Shaolin Thinking".
Unlike many martial arts, Shinseido manages without the need for machismo or bellicose posturing, reflecting the attitude of chief instructor Roger Sheldon. Roger has been a member of Mensa for many years. He also has more than thirty years of martial arts experience behind him. This, combined with an alarmingly powerful physique, makes him a formidable practitioner of close quarter combat.
Despite this, however, Roger is one of the politest and gentlest of men, with a kind and pensive outlook on life. Aside from martial arts, Roger studies philosophy and astronomy and is a scholar of oriental history and culture. He is also an accomplished harpsichord player, with a passion for the music of Domenico Scarlatti.
Perhaps this is why his brand of Shinseido seems to attract an assortment of educated and erudite practitioners. Roger explains that the club is specifically promoted to attract thinkers and individuals. "We encourage people to be themselves, because that is what an art represents." Recent members include a London barrister, a schoolmaster, an artist and a piano teacher. A legal secretary, a therapist, a student, an air conditioning engineer, a retired civil engineer and a Shiatsu practitioner are also regular trainees. The macho smash and bash merchants who frequent some martial arts clubs are conspicuous by their absence. This makes the club particularly attractive to more sensitive people, who may be discouraged by an intimidating atmosphere of menace. The membership has traditionally included a sound proportion of women and older people.
Nevertheless, there is nothing 'namby pamby' about Shinseido, which is one of the most effective forms of self-defence in the world. There are no competitions or tournaments and so, without the obligation to impress audiences and judges, the need for flamboyant exhibitions of acrobatics is negated. All of the moves within the system are taken from original Okinawan self-defence strategy and all have been rigorously tested to ensure that they actually work in practice. Instead of spectacular high kicks and leaps into the air, Shinseido relies upon an arsenal of discreet but highly effective techniques that can be utilised by older and less robust people, as well as the fit and strong.
Rather than typical martial arts enthusiasts, Shinseido attracts people who perhaps wish to learn self-defence purely as a precaution against assault. Roger describes them as "People who don't want to be involved in violence, but wish to know ways of coping if the situation should arise". These include professionals whose work may place them in positions of vulnerability. Sandi works in the Mental Health Services and has trained to black belt level in the system. She has found that her training has given her confidence to deal with difficult situations at work, as well as in everyday life. "It has given me confidence to solve problems verbally, avoiding the need for confrontation.” Sandi feels that Shinseido is very welcoming to female members. "It is a very understanding club, she confirms, unlike some which are very rigid in their training. At some clubs, women get treated roughly or frozen out by the instructors, but Roger believes that anybody can train, regardless of their size or strength".
Other trainees have found themselves in circumstances in which they have surprised themselves. James, a music teacher, discovered that after only a few weeks of training, he had the confidence to face down two drunks who were tormenting a waitress in a pub. Similarly, a middle-aged black belt practitioner was astonished at the ease with which he was able to drive away three youths who were setting about a florist’s dog; and this was without damaging the large bouquet of flowers which he was carrying in one hand!
"I believe that we should base our understanding on what has occurred before, historically," concludes Roger, "and that we should never discount the importance of that cumulative understanding that has come down to us from the progenitors of our culture and arts. I also believe that to be innovative, creative and unique is essential, but always through knowing and understanding our historical roots".
'Thinking People' who wish to find out more about Shinseido, may wish to contact Roger Sheldon at Shinseido, 27 Northfield, Hartley, Longfield, Kent. DA3 7EW UK. Telephone: 01474 700 390. E-mail
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Y.Y.Turnstone 1999.
Roger Sheldon's World: Roger Sheldon, Tony Asquith, James Whitley, Mike Flanagan, Ian Stewart, John Clark, Jackie Whitley, Gavin Northcroft, James Neeter, Shurite Shorin Ryu Karate Do Kobudo, Shuri te, Matsumura Seito, Matsumura Shorin Ryu, Sevenoaks Karate Club, Riverhead, Sevenoaks, Kent. UK. Hohan Soken, Kosei Nishirira, Old style karate, Classical kata.