Gerald Francis Norman Bryan

I met Gerry 27 years ago in the local gym and at the time I was unaware that he was a karate teacher, after a chat he invited me to his dojo for a trial lesson after that I was hooked and never looked back, he was not just a great teacher he was also my best man at my wedding in 2004 and also a good friend, when training by sosai he always gave you a good workout but also had time to listen to any problems you might have, he always had stories to tell of his past karate days, i told him one day that there were 3 best things that has happened in my life … one was giving up smoking in 1980 … 2nd was meeting Gerry Bryan in 1998…3rd meeting my wife , Gerry was a very big part of my life i will always be thankful for knowing him and being taught karate by him. Rest in peace.

R.I.P Gerry you will always be remembered you were a great karate instructor and most of all a very good friend,

Dear Sosai,

When you were with us, it was very rare that a few days passed without us having a chat. As I generally trained with you a couple of times a week, we would often chat on the phone at least once a week outside of our time in the dojo. In addition to a couple of meals per year together at Mama Mia and Tsuyoi family seminars & meals, in the last couple of years, time spent with you also extended to ad-hoc gardening for you whilst you would join me outside. It’s fair to say that for the last ~14 years, you have been the friend I have seen and spoken with most. This is bittersweet, as firstly it’s a great loss to no longer have that person who showed genuine interest in my life, it also means that having talked so much with you it means that very little is forgotten and it’s very easy to remember your voice, mannerisms and general philosophy that has helped guide me.

Although the extent of your mentorship, support and commitment in karate was the underlying reason that brought me into your family, it is definitely your humour, general philosophy and dedication to your students that really became the linchpin of me continuing to come to the dojo again and again for a substantial part of my life.

The honbu became an extension of home - somewhere to feel yourself, comfortable, in the presence of family. Of course, there was always hard training which wasn’t exactly comfortable, but it was always welcome. You helped me develop the way to see hard training as a meditation, not a chore.

Through my learning of karate and my dives into its philosophy, there is a lot of talk of “the spirit of the dojo”. I’ve trained in a number of dojos, and you can always feel the spirit of your fellow deshi filling the room, but the spirit of the honbu was a very unique and special spirit - because it was exclusive to its purpose, because you spent so much time in it filling its essence with your teachings. But it’s only now that I can truly understand why the spirit of the honbu isn’t really about the room. That room will continue to exist in my memory for the rest of my life - the spirit of the honbu, interpretated personally, is about what I learnt from you in there and how I carry it forward.

Mum & Dad commented on how grateful they were for your instruction and hard training and the man you helped me become.

Being graded to 3rd dan in Traditional Tsuyoi Ryu, being qualified as a sensei, by your signature and stamp, will forever be enough for me to feel like I don’t have to prove anything to anyone in karate. I know what I’ve achieved, you know what I’ve achieved. That’s enough for me - no more gradings, certificates or trophies needed. From here on out my commitment to karate is a personal one. I will be spending time reflecting on your teachings, studying your kata and taking permission to step up in my role as sensei and devote myself to my own karate, distancing where necessary from the advice of others that I feel doesn’t serve me personally. Whilst I have no ambitions to start a club, I hope that one day I will be able to afford a space I can set up as a dojo that resembles the honbu.

I don’t doubt that not a day of my life will go past where I don’t think of you. Anything from jokes to food to holidays to relationships to training all bring you to mind. I will always be learning new insights from memories of your teachings.

So it’s not goodbye. For now, it’s just OSU! and see you in the dojo in the sky some day.

Thank you Sosai.

Josh

RIP thank you for everything ….OSU

My Big Warrior. Loved and missed so muchby me and Poppy Rest in Peace now sweetheart.. Sending you all my love up to the stars and beyond. Mand xxxx