The first Shiro Washi Ryu Kempo seminars in Scotland brought together a small but committed group of karate and kobudo practitioners for two days of close-range study, practical exploration and generous instruction. Led by Ludwik Orthwein Renshi, 6th Dan, with Grzegorz “Gregory” Goworek, 6th Dan, the weekend introduced participants to the Kempo tradition transmitted through Taika Seiyu Oyata and now being taught, preserved and codified by Hanshi Peter Polander, 9th Dan. Polander Hanshi’s work gives structure to a body of Okinawan martial knowledge that can otherwise be difficult to access: kata, tuite, atemi, kyusho and kobudo brought together as one coherent method of life-protection practice.
The atmosphere was serious, but warm. This was not a seminar built around performance or display. It was a working room: people testing angles, feeling balance being taken, seeing how a familiar movement could suddenly make more sense when placed at the right distance, with the right timing, against a real body.
One participant captured that spirit well:
“On behalf of Colin, Richard and myself; thank you. For your warm welcome, patience and openness to help us. It is less common in the karate world than it should be. Many light bulb moments for me; looking forward to meeting again soon. In the meantime; lots to work on!”[1]
Another wrote:
“It was great to meet all you guys and to be made so welcome. Both Ken and I enjoyed the seminar and found it really informative. We would be so grateful if you would let us know of any future courses as we would love to come along. Please pass our thanks to all at Shiro Washi Ryu Kempo.”[1]
And the appreciation continued afterwards:
“Tremendous thanks again to Ludwik Orthwein and Grzegorz from IOKF for taking the time to travel and to teach and share your expertise!”
A distinctive feature of the seminar was the relationship between kobudo and empty-hand Kempo practice. Gregory demonstrated elements of Oyata-style kobudo weapons kata, while Ludwik drew out the corresponding principles in empty-hand tactics. The value was not simply in seeing “weapons first, hands second”, or the other way around. It was in seeing the same body mechanics, entries, lines of pressure and moments of control appearing across both. The weapons did not feel separate from the empty-hand material. They helped illuminate it.
That mattered because much of the empty-hand practice had a quality that is difficult to explain until it is felt. The techniques were smooth, flowing and connected, often arriving without the hard stop-start rhythm that can creep into more contrived explanations of karate kata. Instead of forcing a movement to “mean” something after the fact, the applications seemed to emerge from the shape, direction and intention of the kata itself. Locks, strikes, throws, body positioning and disruption of balance were treated as one connected language, not as isolated tricks.
Uk Kempo 2026 Socialz 4 final_compressed.mp4
At the close of the seminar, both instructors were presented with a Scottish quaich. Traditionally, the quaich is a two-handled drinking cup associated with welcome, trust and shared friendship. In Scottish culture it is often used as a vessel of hospitality: offered with both hands, received with both hands, and understood as a sign that guest and host meet in good faith. For this seminar, the symbolism was well chosen. These were not merely commemorative gifts. They marked the forming of a bond between martial “clans”: Scotland and Poland, host and visitor, karateka and Kempo practitioner, all joined for a short time around shared practice.
The instructors’ own comments reflected that same warmth. Gregory wrote:
“Good seminar and good time. Thank you all.”
Ludwik added: