I’m Lionel Reynaud  from France and like many of my generation in France, my Budo journey began as a child on the Judo mats. However, my path eventually took a detour into the world of elite athletics.
I spent years as a competitive road cyclist, racing across Europe, before transitioning into a twenty-year career as an Elite Cycling Coach.
I had the incredible opportunity to coach at the World Tour level and participate in the preparation for both the Olympic and Paralympic Games (Beijing 2008, London 2012, Rio 2016).

During my years of coaching, a fortuitous meeting with Japanese masters and Western pioneers reignited my passion for martial arts.
I began intensive study in Uechi-Ryu Karate under the guidance of Grandmaster George Mattson, the “father of Uechi-Ryu in America.”

For nearly a decade now, I have been teaching the “Old Way” of Karate across France, the USA, and online.
During the 2020 pandemic, I founded Uechi-Ryu Oryukai, a community of practice that now gathers motivated practitioners from Europe, America, and Asia.
Recently I created the online Institute of Uechi-ryu Karate (Uechi-ryu Kenkyujo) to allow isolated students to learn Okinawan Karate.
My goal has always been to connect people from different organizations to work together and improve collectively.

End of outdoor Karate Training session in one of my favorite places in Japan – in front of the Mount Fuji (December 2025)

About ten years ago, my fascination with Japanese history and philosophy led me to the study of swordsmanship.

The name Liomugai (莉雄無外) is an Ateji—a contraction of my name, Lionel, and Mugai, which translates to “No Borders.”

This concept perfectly illustrates my life’s journey: a curiosity that has taken me through different sports and across many countries (France, USA, UK, Spain, and Japan). It represents my desire to connect with interesting people, regardless of their martial art or organization.

Beyond the practice of Iaido and Battodo, Liomugai is a space where I share my personal journey in Japan. My goal is to help you discover Japanese philosophy and culture through the lens of my own experiences and ongoing learning.

Today, I train daily  in Mugai-ryu and Battodo.
For the Mugai-ryu I am a member of Mugai-ryu Europe and Mugai-ryu Meishi Ha (Japan); I am as well a proud member of the French Federation of Battodo.

I believe these arts deserve wider recognition for the immense value they add to self-development and daily life.

Unlike my role in Karate, I am not a teacher here.
This website is the notebook of a passionate student.
I am not a professional historian, so I ask for your indulgence regarding any historical inaccuracies in my articles.
If you are a more experienced practitioner or scholar, please do not hesitate to correct me—I am always eager to refine my knowledge.

I hope this site helps you discover or better understand the Way of the Sword and the Japanese Culture.