“All you need for personal protection”

Frank R. Ulery

Soke, Bushi Kai Shorinji

Born in Louisville, Kentucky in 1951, Frank Ulery first encountered martial arts in the mid-1960s. Exposure to Japanese Judo and Okinawan Karate started a quest for an art that fit the personality of the developing warrior. By 1967, an instructor had been found and more formal training commenced in Judo. Turmoil at home and changing situations interfered with training until Ulery entered Eastern Kentucky University in 1970. That is when he entered his first class in Shaolin Kung Fu and it was love at first sight. A serious practitioner for several years, Ulery had dabbled in law enforcement before entering military service in 1977. While some additional techniques in Judo, Ju-Jitsu and various karate systems had been picked up during this time, Shaolin was still the primary art practiced. When Ulery retired from military service in the summer of 2002, he had acquired ranking in Shaolin Kung Fu, Kodokan Judo and Traditional Ju-Jitsu. Influenced by his previous training in various martial arts and his dissatisfaction with his old system that was rife with favoritism and politics, Ulery pursued Byakuren Karate. With mentoring from his Judo and Ju-Jitsu Master (Mike Royse), his original Shaolin Master (Hiang The’), respected colleague and Byakuren instructor (Bill Weedman) and several fellow martial artists, Ulery founded Bushi Kai Shorinji in 2005. This system embodies all of the essence of practical application of technique while allowing practitioners to emphasize strengths and overcome weaknesses without undue organizational pressures. While still involved in law enforcement as a deputy sheriff, Ulery trains and works with fellow officers and students in the Bushi Kai Shorinji.