Overview

GM Ronnie Colwell conceived the Kizuna Brotherhood in 1968. There is no better way to describe his intentions, aspirations, spirit and ethos than to read his own personally written narrative.

The narrative below has absolutely not been altered from its original form when he penned it. Those who know him and have ever had communication from him, will know and understand that his spelling at times (by his own admission) was “an area for development” – but what is undoubted is the legitimacy of thought and purity of spirit that runs through his writings and through what he perceived the Kizuna Brotherhood to be.

Enjoy.

Colwell's Own Narrative

"The Kizuna was not a contrived or even a planed idea. Looking back around 42 years ago, it was around 1968/9 I had an idea to create a Dojo of independent thought, though attached to the main stream and observant to the national governing bodies and as an association member.

I have to say at this point until July 8th 2009 I had never ever considered forming an association or federation, being quite content to being a paid up member of associations and federations. Never subscribing to the "If it free its for me” attitude, as such people are only a drain on federations struggling to survive, unless they are a profit driven organization, of which personally, I try and have as little contact as possible. Our paths are different.

Around 1969 I found a completely and utterly rundown ex church mission building on Tagus Street off Loge Lane, Toxteth, Liverpool 8. Toxtheth to me was a wonderful place full of ethnic diversity and all the amazing things that go with that. However, having said that, it was in my opinion the most deprived area of Liverpool, with the vile face of racisisim and bigotry heavily turned against it. It was to the shame of our City that this was overtly happening, and the police force enjoyed black beating. This would in later years lead to the " Toxteth Riots". It is to the people of Toxteths fortitude and triumph that all racial origins could laugh, and get on with life together as a community.

This then was the area where the run down mission was located. The down stairs was occupied as storage by a chap by the name of Allan Williams, who was the first manager of the Liverpool group “The Beatles" and styled himself as the man who gave the Beatles away, a move that seemed to consume him with regret.

The upstairs was however empty, reason being, it had a hole where there had once been an entrance, the stairs up were in a state of disrepair. It had what was left of a floor, a roof with large holes where once there had been windows, now there were just exits for pigeons. Electricity had long ceased to function so a complete rewire would be necessary. The water had been cut off from the main supply, as someone had pinched the lead long ago, and the smell of decay was all pervasive. However, I clearly remember a huge smile breaking out on my face and the feeling of elation. “Wonderful!” I thought. Never been one to be put off by trivia. Keeping in mind the long view, I too often say, “Why dream of climbing hills when you can dream of climbing mountains”.

In fact it took me the best part of a month to track down who I thought was the owner, who turned out to be only letting the property himself, but that is another story. He was a hard nosed man of business and we struck what I have always thought a harsh deal, and worse still, later on when I did meet the real owner, who had no idea we were there, I have to say he was indeed a gentleman. He was presented with what was a derelict property up stairs at least was now all brought up to scratch.

So I now had a property to pay rent on, and no funds personally to reinstate it. What I did have was wonderful Budo friends in all trades who went to work on it for a year. The result, a traditional polished floor dojo with all the essentials but none of the luxuries.

This Dojo was there for the love of our Budo not there to raise any personal money. All went into the student and the building, and yes there were many times we had our financial crises - too many. What we had was what money could not buy. What developed was a strong unified bond that has stood the test of time nearly these 51 years. That bond, the yudansha would refer to as the “KIZUNA”, our Bond to each other and to our Budo.

We in fact called the Dojo the LSKC (Liverpool Shotokan Karate Club). Many would refer to it as the shaolin, even though it had nothing to do with Chinese Wushu. I think it was unlike the few permanent Dojo that were totally sparse inside. The LSKC was full of kick bags and real makiwara, memorabilia of budo, and kobudo weapon racks. The David Caradine series Kung Fu I think was responsible for its nick name, certainly not me.

Our motto was, “Respect, assist each other, deal honestly with each other”. There were no drugs then as we have now, however anyone found using anything was given the chance to just stop. If not, our relationship just ended. A firm line, as was the dojo discipline. Written on the wall in English and Japanese was, “We cannot effect how the world chooses to treat each other, but we can effect how we treat each other. Respect, Dignity, Honesty”.

So that is how the Kizuna came into being, and that bond still is as strong today as it was half a century ago.

So my dear friends in Budo who may be browsing this site and have been interested enough to read this far, it is my most sincere wish that through the formation of the World Kobukan Federation, as a large Kan (Hall) where all budoka can be welcomed in a world wide not for profit federation free of politics or politicians can find a home whey can determine their own future.

So it is my wish to share the idea of the “KIZUNA”. Though it is called the Shotokan Karate Kizuna Kyokai, in fact we have created 4 very large doors that all lead to the same place the Shotokan Door, Karate Door, Ju Jutsu Door and Kobudo Door, all leading to the Hall of the Kizuna, the hall where Budo Bonding is forged.

Of course the Kizuna will have no attraction to many. It will always be that way, some will even try and use and abuse it. That too, is predictable, but they will not succeed, simply because an honest bond cannot be formed with any who have there own agendas. They all get found out in the end. The KIZUNA lives on. Thank you for reading the musings of my memory and it is my most sincere hope that where ever you are in the world, from whatever Ryuha, you find the route, the life long Budo Bonding without selfishness or ego.

Yours in the most sincere spirit of World Budo Friendship."

Ronnie Colwell - 2010