Interview with Sensei John Anderson

Interview with Sensei John Anderson 6th Dan Black Belt

  Ippon Karate and Self Defence Club
 And Director of Coaching for the United Kingdom all Styles Organisation

(Q) How long have you been in martial arts and how did you first get involved?

(A) I started in 1966 after nearly drowning in the swimming baths. I went to watch what turned out to be a mixed style Kung Fu School in one of the side rooms. I now know it was not particularly good, but I was hooked and have trained ever since.

(Q) What was the early days of your karate like and are there a lot of changes from today’s karate?

(A) I trained in many different styles and clubs in my early years, most of which were quite poor, but physically severe. It wasn’t until the mid 1980’s that I found a truly good club, teaching authentic karate in a traditional way. The main difference between then and now is absolute commitment. In those days students would not miss a lesson, travel all over the country to attend courses, and practise, practise, practise. In many instances this is not the case today.

(Q) You must have met and trained with some very colourful characters does anybody stand out in your memory?

 (A) Yes, lots of people, both students and Sensei’s, far too many to mention here.

(Q) I have now some questions from some of your students, what books do you like reading, including non karate?

(A) I like to read cookery books in the same way some people would read a novel. I also like comedy and autobiographies. I like to know what makes people tick.

(Q) What is the best advice you have been given?

(A) Two answers here! Plan for the worst and try to make the best happen, and secondly, strive for perfection in everything you do, in the certain knowledge that no-one is perfect, but by striving for perfection you will be the best that you can be.

(Q) Apart from Linda your lovely wife, who is your all time hero?

(A) I believe heroes exist in comics and the world’s cemeteries, but I do admire anyone who overcomes adversity to succeed

(Q) I will return to student questions later, but I would like to know, what made you decide to go down the shotokan road and what would you say is the benefits of shotokan rather than other styles?

(A) I chose Shotokan or rather Shotokan chose me, because everything about it made sense to me. Perhaps if I had found a brilliant instructor from Wado-Ryu, Goju-Ryu, Kung Fu or any other style I have practised, I may have followed another path.

(Q) You are the Director of coaching for UKASKO, being an all styles association, what are your views on cross training?

(A) Some individuals have the ability to train in multiple disciplines, but these are very few. A lot of students try other styles far too soon, usually before they truly start to understand their own style. A bit of something mixed with something else at an early stage in your training, usually results in a whole lot of nothing.

(Q) You run adult and junior classes, I know that numbers are always larger for juniors, but do you miss having adult only classes and do you think you will ever see them again?

(A) I do miss the adult only classes, mainly for the speed and some of the content, however I feel there are benefits in mixed classes, for both juniors and seniors, and at this stage I do not envisage separating the classes.

(Q) You have had the privilege of training under Enodea Sensei and Kawasoe Sensei, do you have any stories you could tell us about them?

(A) I have many stories I could tell, some funny, and some serious, but I will tell you only one. In the 1980’s I attended a course by Kawasoe in Montrose. Although attended by many high graded karateka, Master Kawasoe only taught white belt techniques all afternoon. After the course a large number of students expressed disappointment at only doing simple techniques, but a further group of students were saying “WOW” on leaving the Dojo. They had found so many mistakes in these basic techniques and learned so much about them. I am pleased to say I was one of the students saying “WOW”. There is more respect for a good labourer than for being a bad brain surgeon!

(Q) You must be a very proud man with regards your Ippon Karate Clubs past and existing, what would you like to see happen to Ippon in the future?

(A) I would hope Ippon would continue in its present form with no changes to the grading syllabus, and students still striving to perfect their techniques at every class.

(Q) I had better ask some more questions from your students, so what is your best childhood memory?

(A) A few stand out in my mind. As many of you know I have Type One Diabetes, and in my pre-teen years I was very ill and spent a lot of time in hospitals, however at times when I was better, I would be allowed home sometimes for the weekend, other times for a whole week or two. During one of my weekends at home a family friend arranged a special treat for me. I was allowed to cuddle and play with a very young tiger cub. Although very young I was inspired by the cub’s power, agility and intelligence. I really wanted to take him home.

(Q) All your students know how important kata is to you, so what is your favourite and why?

(A) Over the years, just like music, my favourite Kata has changed over and over again. In the past they have included Heian Yondan, Enpi, Bassai Dai, and all three Tekki’s Each Kata expresses a mood and a sense of timing appropriate to things happening in my life at that time, but truthfully I enjoy all Kata, and now enjoy watching it being performed properly as much as I do performing it.

(Q) Do you have three words to describe yourself?

(A) I am sure there are many people better suited to this question than myself, so I will not attempt to strive for second place.

(Q) Name five things you have not yet done but would like too?

(A) Being a very determined person (there’s one answer for the previous question); I have achieved virtually all I have set out to do. I would however like to play golf on the Old Course at St. Andrews, secondly, I would like to play Gleneagles, thirdly I would like to visit the Orkney Islands, fourth, possibly visit the Shetlands and finally I would like to see Ippon Karate still producing superb students on my 90th birthday!

(Q) What music do you like?

(A) I like a great variety of music from classical to rock, as long as it is played very well and the performers can play and sing live.

(Q) I know you have just been given the all clear, after going through several months of treatment for cancer, this was great news for your students, but WOW can you describe to us how you felt? Also can you tell us how much you believe karate helped you, not taking anything away of course from your own strength of character?

(A) The first feeling was disbelief, followed by, has a mistake been made, and then starting to plan for a future that I previously did not have. I am still very aware that the condition could return, but I have been fighting illness all my life, and will always do so. For the second part of your question, traditional Shotokan Karate teaches that through arduous training you cultivate a strong spirit, and I have been told by medical staff that I am both physically and mentally very strong, and without this I would not have overcome my recent illness. I am absolutely convinced that this was down to karate training. I have never quit on a lesson and I never quit on life’s challenges.

(Q) This has been a long interview, but I wanted personally to hear just a snapshot of your life and karate career, I am absolutely sure that your students and others will enjoy reading this article, so in closing can I ask you one more question, to give me your closing statement as to your feelings towards Ippon at this time and any words you would like to pass onto your students?

(A) I feel Ippon Karate students are some of the very best, but I am frustrated with the knowledge that so many of them could be so much better with a little more dedication and effort. Unfortunately I know that many of our students will go through difficult times in their lives, and I would sincerely hope that through arduous training, these students will find the spirit to overcome any difficulties that life may throw at them.

Sensei Anderson I for one would like to thank you (on behalf of your students and myself) very much for the time you have put into answering these questions I am sure it will be greatly enjoyed reading.

Kevin Walker
Webmaster
Ippon Karate & Self Defence.