Sensei Michael Davies

My study of martial arts began in the early 1990s, training informally alongside my brother while he studied under Grandmaster Michael Reed. These early experiences instilled in me a deep respect for traditional martial disciplines and laid the foundation upon which all of my later training would be built.

In the late 1990s, Grandmaster Thorold Davenport—a family friend and returning military veteran—formally undertook my instruction in Shorin‑Ryu. Under his guidance, I progressed steadily through the system and ultimately earned the rank of Sandan (3rd Dan). His mentorship profoundly shaped both my technical development and my understanding of Okinawan karate.

After achieving Sandan, I relocated to Williamsport. During this period, Grandmaster Davenport introduced our Shorin‑Ryu school to the Tomosa Bujitsu system under Grandmaster Tim Blackburn. Through this connection, I met Master John Powell, with whom I later co‑founded Shido Seimei Martial Arts. Our school was established with a commitment to disciplined training, personal growth, and the preservation of traditional martial values.

Shortly after the founding of the school, Grandmaster Michael Reed began visiting me at my school. Through our conversations, I expressed a renewed desire to return to the roots of classical Okinawan karate. Recognizing this commitment, Master Reed invited me to train under his instructor, Grandmaster Kenneth Balliet. This marked the beginning of my formal study of Ryukyu Shorinji‑Ryu Karate Jutsu.

Training under Grandmaster Balliet was exceptionally rigorous. I trained four to five days each week, often for several hours each evening. Through sustained dedication and intensive study, I earned the rank of Hachidan (8th Dan). Several years later, after extensive discussions regarding the future of the system and my responsibilities within it, Grandmaster Balliet expressed his desire for me to continue the training and preservation of Ryukyu Shorinji‑Ryu Karate Jutsu. Shortly thereafter, he promoted me to Judan (10th Dan). Before his passing, he entrusted me with the responsibility of preserving and continuing the traditional Ryukyu Shorinji‑Ryu Karate Jutsu training to which he devoted his life.

Today, I remain committed to honoring that trust. My instruction is grounded in the principles handed down through my teachers, with a focus on disciplined practice, technical precision, and the preservation of authentic Okinawan martial traditions. Through my students and my continued work within the Ryukyu Shorinji‑Ryu Karate Jutsu system, I strive to uphold and advance the legacy entrusted to me.