That same year, Master Tani arrived with a group of instructors and students from Japan. To Meet the founder of
the karate style I had been training in all this time was wonderful. His karate was smooth and very fast and belied
his advanced age. This was Tani-ha shito-ryu in its purest form, being displayed by the very person who had
developed it. I felt honoured to receive his instruction, and also the small gift he gave to the senior members of
the association. It is interesting to note that these days nidan would not be considered a particularly senior grade
by many, however in the 1970s the standard set across the traditional karate world was at a level very different to
the one set by many groups today.
