John Stephenson
John Stephenson 6th Dan
My
martial life began in 1977 when I began with some judo training after my
next-door neighbour had got a book from the library. We practiced the moves a
few times in the back garden, which was a painful experience. I seem to remember
trying out a mawashigeri, and looking at resuscitating someone who you have just
strangled into unconsciousness.
At that time I had begun to attend the local secondary school. Yes, I really am that young. During this time I met two people who would ultimately help change my life. Both of them I met at school.
The first was a classmate who introduced me to karate for the very first time. We were bored one night, nothing do and nowhere to go. I can remember him saying to me "try and kick me". "Where?" I replied, "here in the solar plexus. For a skinny twelve year old boy from Billingham, solar plexus was unusual to say the least. Hindsight has told me that he was told the where, why and how by a karate sensei.
So, I duly obliged and tried to kick him. Before I knew where I was, I received a sharp stabbing pain in my back and my ears ringing from a shout. What was that I exclaimed, rubbing my sore ribs. "That is was Wally taught us the other night". "Who is Wally?" is ignorantly asked. "He teaches me karate at the Tilery Sports Centre at Stockton."
He then went on to show me some punches, kicks and blocking techniques, as well as some stances. This little moment in time sealed my fate for the rest of my life. I wanted to do karate.
The second person who changed my life was a fellow classmate at my secondary school, who explained to me one day that he wanted to join a karate club, as he was being picked on, being a jockey, and even smaller than me, wanted to learn how to defend himself. Following my introduction to karate and reading a few books from the library, my interest was well and truly stirred. Together we decided to go along and check the local club out. If he hadn’t of asked me to go along with him, I would not be writing this now.
The
local club was Billingham Karate Club that trained at the Forum in Billingham on
a Tuesday and a Thursday. We both duly turned up in September of 1979, shortly
after my twelfth birthday. I was introduced to two people, again who would
change my life forever. They were Ian Hales and Keith Howard. We were advised to
watch the first night and see if we like it. Looking at what went
on that night, I thought it was magical.
We
both turned at the next session in our blue school shorts and rugby top. That
started me on my road to “tao" which I must say is
getting closer every time I train.
My
first grading took place in Hartlepool in 1980, in the days of "alpha" under another legend
in the E.K.W. Sensei John Ditchburn. He had jet-black hair, a load scary voice
and piercing eyes, which was not like the man when you got to know him. I passed
after trying out my deadly kiai, which needed "some
work".
The
alpha days were very memorably for me as I was introduced to some very
influential karate ka such as John Ditchburn, Mick "Chuck
Norris"
Bage, Peter Twidale, Tony Pierce, Dave Horsely, Mr Cole. It was through alpha
that I took part in my first competition. My trophies were presented by Walter,
which was the first time I met him.
During
my early days with Billingham, I was awarded student of the year in 1981 and
1983. I can remember training very hard for my 1st Dan in 1983, both
physically and mentally. Though at the time, I had no real appreciation of how
these need to be balanced in life as well as in karate. Time is an escalator of
the soul, the higher you attain the more enriched you become.
For
my second Dan I can remember being told that the 1st Dan is a mirror
of what your instructor does, for second dan you now become your own karate ka.
My first taste of a summer course in 1983 was great, the pressure I put on
myself in 1985 was greater and I found the course tough, especially on the
mental side. The physical nature of the courses at that time meant that you had
to be tough, physically and mentally in order to last. I must have worked hard
enough and was awarded 2nd Dan in 1985. I was fortunate to train with
the top guys at the time, Leo McDermott, Dave Swalwell, Tony Humphries (the deep
one), Graham Hall, Stewart Winter and Kevin Maughan.
One
of my greatest memories in karate was fighting Kevin on the summer course some
time in the eighties. Though Kevin and I are very similar in size and shape I
thought my speed would win the day. "For
a big he moves pretty fast" I
soon realised when many times I ended up horizontal, winded and confused. After
three minutes it was a tie. We went into an extension. By this time a crowd had
assembled to witness was all the fuss was about. Though I eventually won the
fight on points, he won my utmost respect from that moment on. Os Kevin.
During
the next three years 1985 to 1988, I trained in other martial arts including
Judo formally under an instructor, Kung Fu as well as other styles of karate. I
researched in the History, Philosophy, Teaching and training methods in martial
arts. I was given the landscape at the club, but I needed to look closer at
areas of fine detail. This was my quest in order to satisfy my mind.
I
joined the army in 1987 and as they say fate took its chances on me again, thank
goodness it did. I was sent to Kent and within a week had found a wado karate
club. When I turned up I was introduced to the Sensei Peter Jefford. Yet another
person who would change my life. Peter had trained with Sensei Tatsuo Suzuki in
the 60’s and 70’s, probably when Tatz was in him karate prime. I learned so
much about life from him that I owe him a large debt of gratitude. Os Sensei.
During
my time I was honoured enough to train with some legendary names in karate such
as Shiomitsu, Sakagami, Tsugazawa, Suzuki, Enoeda, Ticky Donovan, Helen Raye and
Steve Quinn(both many times English kata champions), Jiro Otsuka, Vince Morris,
Higaona sensei’s. Magical times and memories. After training with them my
escalator had moved up a few floors.
By
the time I was eligible for my third Dan in 1989, I had a pretty good knowledge
of karate and of some other martial arts and karate style. My third was a trial
of endurance and will. I was pushed hard, which at the time I didn’t
appreciate or necessarily want. Peter Jefford once told me the "life is like a stair that leads you somewhere. At various points there
are landings where you can get off and rest for while or enter other rooms which
can lead you away from your original path."
This has kept with me for all these years and is so true.
My
own personal landing, after passing my third Dan in 1989, was to find a book on
pressure point fighting by George Dillman. The explained what the true meaning
to kata was and how and why traditional ideas on kata were
“wrong". Yet another life changing moment. After reading the book, answers to
the questions about karate and kata jumped up from those pages and smacked right
in face. To quote a Zen riddle: -
"If
you seek it, you cannot find it"
I
was looking for the answers with such intensity that even if I found some or all
of them, I was so focused on finding them than I would miss seeing them anyway.
The answers found me when I was not looking for them. A lesson for us all?
I
have since trained with Sensei Dillman on many occasions, as well some of his
top people, Jack Hogan, Rick Moneymaker. I was lucky enough to visit Jack Hogan
at his home on two occasions and he invited me in as if he knew me for years.
His philosophy also taught me that there is more to life than A, B and C. There
sometimes things that cannot be easily explained or rationalized into formal
explanations. "As long as it works,
why worry how it does it". Another life lesson?
My ideas though did conflict with Sensei Seatons and
may have led to an appearance my behalf of disrespect. This was never the case,
I simply thought and looked at things differently. "All roads lkead to
Rome!!". The years from 1989 to 1995 when I was awarded 4th Dan
by Walter were like planting the seeds in my thoughts for most of my life to
come. What do I mean?
It
was during this time that I attended a number of training sessions for selection
for the E.K.G.B karate squad in kata ran by Ticky Donovan. I was selected and
during 1994 to 1995 attended numerous sessions to get into the team. But soon
found that no matter how far you travel and how good you might be, unless you
get into the "click" you never got picked.
A
Thought!
Karate is a study. Karate is like life itself. It is a
study in you as a person. When you begin to learn about yourself your eyes, mind
and soul should be awakened to other things, other levels other branches in your
tree of life. Though, "the roots are similar for use all, it is merely the
foliage that is different" (Bruce Lee).
The
continual development of the whole rounded person, like the circle in your
karate badge, is still ongoing. One thing I would say, not that I am into
philosophy or anything, is sometimes it is the processes we go through to get
some where that is the most important element, not necessarily achieving the
aim. The higher up the escalator
you go, the less important details become. We move away from the physical feel
to the mental feel of the art. Ultimately, the physical and mental elements are
one movement without the burden of mechanical thought.
Karate
will change you in ways that you may not even recognise and ways that cannot
easily be felt. The words etiquette, effort, self-control, character, sincerity,
dedication, awareness, and way of life spring to mind.
Lessons
in life?
John Stephenson