The School of Karate Kenyu Ryu was founded by Ryusho Tomoyori (1907–1977), who was born in the village of Motobu in the Kunigami region of Okinawa, Japan.
Being very fond of martial arts from childhood, Ryusho Tomoyori began learning karate at the age of six under the guidance of Masters Aragaki and Awane, who were also his relatives. His dedication and passion for martial arts laid the foundation for what would later inspire many karate practitioners worldwide, including students studying at a karate training institute in kerala today.
At the age of 15, he traveled to Naha and trained for about four years under the guidance of Chojun Miyagi (1888–1953). During this time, he also became one of the best pupils of Kanryo Higaonna (1853–1916), the founder of the Naha-te school of karate. The strong foundation of traditional Okinawan karate that he received continues to influence many modern martial arts schools, including every reputed karate training institute in kerala that follows authentic karate traditions.
Later, Ryusho Tomoyori moved to Osaka, and in 1929 he became the disciple of Kenwa Mabuni (1889–1953), the Great Grandmaster of Karate and founder of the Shito‑ryu. Under Mabuni’s guidance, Ryusho became one of his most dedicated followers and excelled in karate instruction through his unique teaching methods and natural inclination toward martial arts. The same philosophy of discipline and technique is followed by many modern dojos and even by leading programs at a karate training institute in kerala.
At the age of 26, Ryusho Tomoyori started a dojo in the city of Sakai. Later, he shifted it to Umidori Nishinariku and then to Imafuku-Nishi in Joto-ku, Osaka. With the approval of Soke Mabuni, he eventually founded his own school, Kenyu Ryu. The name “Kenyu†was derived from a combination of two Chinese characters — “Ken†from Kenwa Mabuni and “Yu†from Tomoyori (since “Tomo†can also be pronounced as “Yu†using the same characters). Today, the teachings and lineage of Kenyu Ryu continue to influence many karate practitioners worldwide, including students enrolled in a karate training institute in kerala that focuses on traditional karate values.
His son, Ryuichiro Tomoyori, a 9th Dan Black Belt and Hanshi of the Japan Karate Federation, was born on January 6, 1937, in Imafuku-Naka, Osaka. Ryuichiro began practicing karate at the age of six under the guidance of his father. After the passing of the founder, he became the head of the organization and continued to promote Kenyu Ryu karate globally.
Over the years, several ranks and titles were conferred on Soke Ryuichiro Tomoyori by the Japan Karate Federation, recognizing his dedication to preserving and promoting the art of karate. His leadership has helped maintain the legacy of Kenyu Ryu, inspiring karate practitioners and institutions worldwide, including dedicated programs at a karate training institute in kerala that aim to uphold traditional karate discipline and techniques.