About Us
History of Yoseikan-Ryu Karate
Yoseikan-Ryu Karate (養正館流空⼿ – literally “House of Honesty and education”), is the name given to the variant of Shotokan Karate which was taught at the Yoseikan Dojo in Shizuoka, Japan, under the direction of Minoru Mochizuki (望⽉ 稔 Mōchizuki Minoru, 1907–2003).
Minoru Mochizuki trained directly under Gichin Funakoshi, the man who formally introduced Karate to the Japanese mainland in 1921. In the 1931, Minoru Mochizuki went on to establish Yoseikan Budo. Our style stems back to the early 1900’s involving many different disciplines of martial arts including; karate, aikido, judo, Tenshin Shoden Katori Shinto-ryu, jujutsu, kobudo, iaido, kendo, jojutsu, and kempo.
While the practice of Yoseikan-Ryu continues to honour our history, we also acknowledge the contemporary need for self defence suited to this day and age.
The Chief Instructor for Yoseikan in Australia is Branco Bratich, 9th Dan OAM. Branco opened his first club at the Girrawheen Recreation Centre in Perth in 1978, who with the assistance of his senior instructors, has built Yoseikan-Ryu Karate into an national organisation.
Minoru Mochizuki
Teruo Sano Sensei, born on April 13, 1930, in Shizuoka, Japan, is a distinguished martial artist renowned for his extensive contributions to traditional Japanese martial arts. His early training encompassed various disciplines, including sumo, judo, jōdō, kendo, iaidō, jujutsu, Shotokan karate, and Okinawan kobudō. He holds high-ranking dan grades: 9th Dan in karate and 7th Dan in jujutsu, and is recognised as an expert in traditional martial arts weaponry.
Sano Sensei's martial arts journey began at the age of seven under Baba Sensei, during a period when karate was still developing in Japan. His dedication led him to train under Minoru Mochizuki at the Yoseikan dojo, where he honed his skills in various martial arts disciplines. In 1999, Sano Sensei established his own school, the Kokusai Bujutsu Sano Ryu Karate Jutsu, focusing on traditional self-defense techniques and the integration of kobudō weaponry into karate practice .
Sano Sensei has been instrumental in spreading his martial arts philosophy internationally, with representatives in countries such as France and Australia. His teachings emphasize not only physical techniques but also the development of inner strength, patience, and understanding, reflecting the deeper essence of martial arts.
For a visual demonstration of Sano Sensei's expertise, you can watch him performing the Heian Sandan kata at the Yoseikan dojo in the late 1960s: HERE
Original Yoseikan-ryu dojo Japan
Teruo Sano
Sano and Branco
Branco Bratich OAM, 9th Dan Kyoshi, is a prominent figure in Australian martial arts, renowned for his pivotal role in establishing and expanding Yoseikan-Ryu Karate across the nation.
Early Beginnings
Bratich's journey into martial arts commenced in 1973 at the age of 22, when he joined Jujutsu Kan in Perth, initially as a casual participant. His early training encompassed both karate and jujutsu, which later enriched his understanding of kata bunkai—the practical applications of kata movements.
Training Under Sensei Yoshiaki Unno
In 1974, Jan de Jong invited Sensei Yoshiaki Unno from the Yoseikan-Budo Hombu Dojo in Japan to Perth, Western Australia. Known for his strict and disciplined approach, Unno Sensei’s rigorous training methods proved too demanding for many students—resulting in high dropout rates. However, Branco Bratich persevered. He trained six days a week and also served as an assistant to Unno Sensei. During this formative period, Branco was introduced not only to karate but also to complementary disciplines including kobudo, aikido, and judo.
Achieving Black Belt and Founding Yoseikan-Ryu Karate
Branco earned his 1st Dan black belt in March 1976, following a week-long and highly demanding grading process. In 1978, he took a bold step forward by opening his first dojo at the Girrawheen Recreation Centre in Perth. This marked the foundation of Yoseikan-Ryu Karate in Australia. Alongside Steven Weir, Branco was one of the original students of Yoshiaki Unno Sensei. He remained under Unno's instruction until 1985, when they parted ways due to irreconcilable differences. At that time, Branco held the rank of 3rd Dan.
Later that same year, Sano Sensei visited Perth and formally awarded Branco his 4th Dan. In 1989, shortly after his appointment as National Junior Coach by the Australian Karate Federation, Branco travelled to Japan to coach the Australian team at the Junior Asian Pacific Championships in Fukuoka. Following the tournament, he and some of his students visited the Yoseikan Hombu Dojo in Shizuoka. Branco’s role as national coach earned him considerable recognition and respect. During their stay in Japan, he and his students spent valuable time training with Kancho Minoru Mochizuki. In an unexpected but honourable request, Branco was invited to teach karate to the Japanese students at the Hombu Dojo—a responsibility he accepted with humility. When one of his students jokingly remarked, “I didn’t come all the way to Shizuoka to train under Branco,” his simple and respectful reply was, “I do as I’m told—this is Japan.”
On the final day of their visit, Kancho Minoru Mochizuki personally awarded Branco his 5th Dan.
Legacy of Sensei Yoshiaki Unno
Sensei Yoshiaki Unno passed away on June 30, 2006, in Perth. Born in February 1950, he was a direct student of Yoseikan Budo founder, Minoru Mochizuki. His arrival in Perth in 1974, at the invitation of Jan de Jong, marked the beginning of a new era in martial arts for Australia. Through his dedication and uncompromising teaching style, Unno Sensei significantly influenced the development of martial arts across the region.
Branco with Yoshiaki Unno
Further Recognition and the Path Forward
In 1998, during one of his visits to Australia, Sano Sensei awarded Branco his 7th Dan. During that visit, he shared something deeply personal and significant —he expressed his desire for Branco to be his heir apparent. Sano Sensei explained that he was getting older and wanted to ensure that the Yoseikan legacy he had carried from Japan would be entrusted to someone capable, loyal, and committed to upholding its values and traditions. He believed Branco was that person.
This moment marked a profound turning point in Branco's journey. Being named as Sano Sensei’s successor was not only a tremendous honour but also a great responsibility. It was recognition not just of technical skill or years of training, but of character, leadership, and dedication to the art and its community.
From that point forward, Branco felt an even greater sense of duty to continue developing Yoseikan-Ryu Karate in Australia. He became more deeply involved in mentoring senior instructors, codifying teaching methods, and nurturing the next generation of karateka—ensuring that the art remained grounded in its values while evolving to meet the needs of modern students.
Branco’s leadership also extended beyond the dojo. As a respected figure in the Australian Karate Federation and on the international stage, he worked tirelessly to promote opportunities for young athletes, support the integrity of grading and competition systems, and foster unity across styles and organisations.
Through it all, he has remained true to the spirit instilled in him by Unno Sensei, Sano Sensei, and ultimately Kancho Minoru Mochizuki—a commitment to technical excellence, humility in service, and respect for the lineage that shaped him.
Today, Yoseikan-Ryu Karate stands as a vibrant and respected martial arts organisation with dojos across Western Australia and beyond. The foundations laid by Branco Bratich—through perseverance, loyalty, and vision—continue to inspire students of all ages.
As the art passes from one generation to the next, his story serves as a reminder that true mastery is not just found in technique, but in the ability to carry tradition forward while shaping the future with integrity.
National and International Coaching Achievements
Appointed as Australia's National Junior Coach in 1989 and later as National Senior Coach in 1992, Bratich led teams to significant victories, including gold medals at the World Karate Championships. His coaching tenure is noted as Australia's most successful competitive period in karate.
Legacy and Recognition
In 1998, Bratich was chosen by Sano Sensei as his successor, making him the first Western instructor to be awarded this honor over his Japanese counterparts. He was awarded the Order of Australia Medal (OAM) in 2017 for his contributions to karate. As of 2021, he holds a 9th Dan rank and continues to lead Yoseikan-Ryu Karate Australia Branco Bratich has been a cornerstone of Australian karate since 1974. With a background in karate, jujitsu, and aikido, his passion and leadership have shaped generations of martial artists.
Over his decades-long career, Branco has become one of the most respected and successful national karate coaches in Australia.
Career Highlights:
1978: Opened his first karate school
1989: Appointed Chief Instructor of Yoseikan-Ryu by Japanese mentor Sensei Teruo Sano
1992: Coached Australia to two gold medals at the WKF Senior World Championships
1996: Student Mark Golding won silver at the WKF Senior Worlds in South Africa
2001: Student Kellie Shimmimgs won silver at the World Games in Japan
2006: Daughter and student Jessica Bratich won bronze at the WKF Worlds in Finland
2016: Opened the Malaga Hombu Dojo
2017: Awarded the Order of Australia Medal (OAM) for services to martial arts
