29/08/2026
Reposted - originally posted on the 10 January 2025:
GERRY BRYAN'S 10TH DAN: A LIFE WELL LIVED IN THE WORLD OF MARTIAL ARTS
The loss of a loved one is heartbreaking for family, friends, and followers.
Gerry Bryan's karate history dates back to the early days of Kyokushin karate in the late 1960s, and he founded Tsuyoi Ryu Karate, which was initially constructed and formed in 1975. Over time, the style evolved, departing from its initial concept to become a timeless style. Tsuyoi signifies strength or power, while ryu signifies school.
Sosai (Japanese: 総裁, "Sōsai") means roughly "president" or "director-general, but has a much greater meaning from a historical part of Japanese karate, and following a lifetime of training and teaching, Gerry Bryan certainly deserves the title of Sosai and holding a recognised 10th Dan.
Sosai had a respected following of karateka, with some becoming well-known and respected karate knockdown fighters in their own right; he trained and oversaw their training. I witnessed the training firsthand back in the day, having attended a few dojo sessions when Sosai had a successful Tsuyoi Ryu club in Sutton in Surrey. I also enjoyed the Tsuyoi Ryu courses in Sutton, as did some of my students. Additionally, private one-on-one training with Sosai in his private dojo in his house reminds of the pleasant memories of Sosai, as a karateka and as a person in private life.
My students enjoyed Sosai’s visits to my dojos, both in Ashford, Kent, and Thanet, and Sosai stayed with me and my first wife, Sue, a few times many years ago and with my wife Sandra in Herne Bay.
We both shared our passion for karate and the way it should evolve. I disagreed with him on a few of his changes relating to technique and kata changes. This invariably strained our relationship, which ended sometime after I met Sandra. She too trained with Sosai inside dojos.
Yes, we may have had differences, but these differences were well known between us as we discussed them many times. Karateka have their own views about Sosai and me, but their views I consider to be completely irrelevant, as many of them I have never met or I have never had a discussion with them. Secondhand information is worthless. Facts are priceless.
I introduced Sosai to Peter Manning, 8th Dan of the TSKA, many years ago now. Their professional relationship and friendship endured until the end. They both shared mutual respect for each other, and Sosai was a regular visiting instructor for Peter’s courses in Wiltshire. He will surely be missed by Peter and his members.
From my own personal perspective, I sincerely do have fond memories of Sosai. Despite our differences, we should respect and admire his long journey in karate. I admired his determination to make Tsuyoi Ryu succeed as an authentic Japanese karate style, but most importantly, I respected Sosai. Friendship between us may have finished years ago, but my respect for him as a karateka never ceased. Some of his technical ideas are still taught inside the Kent Karate Schools, and as my adult students will confirm, his name was mentioned many times in sessions as a respected founder of a Japanese karate style.
Rest in peace, Sosai. You are no longer in pain, and I am confident that you will oversee the excellent dojo above.
Osu,
Hanshi The Reverend Joe Ellis 8th Dan
Chief instructor
Kent Karate Schools (Tsuyoi Ryu)
www.kentkarateschools.co.uk
Photos ©Joe Ellis 2024
