Sensei Paul shephard 6th Dan - A personal view of over 30 years of karate

My interest in karate started when I was at school, but unfortunately there were no children's clubs at that time so I had to confine myself to watching Bruce Lee movies.

Eventually when I was about 18, after seeing the film "Enter the Dragon", I saw an advert for the JSK club in Enfield .

After paying my £5 life membership!!!!! to the then secretary John Kerridge, who was 1st kyu at the time, I took my first ever karate lesson with sensei Colin Coull who was then a 2nd dan.

Colin Coull (my first instructor) fantastic fighting spirit

That 1st lesson was quite daunting, as out at the front were quite a selection of fierce looking dan grades including : sensei Perry, sensei Shearer, Peter Videan, Colin Coull, Sandy Marwick, and Jim Platt.

After that first session I was hooked and trained regularly at the Enfield dojo and also at sensei Shearers Edmonton dojo where training sessions were held in the canteen of his workplace. Many a great session was held there avoiding discarded chips and peas.
I soon got a place in the Enfield team and we won the 1981 JSK team kumite event with Colin Coull as captain. I was also in the kata team and we managed to win this event four times. I was also overall senior champion twice, being the only person to win the black belt kumite and kata events.

Sensei Barry Shearer: one of the biggest influences on my karate
I was graded to 6th dan in 2009 by my instructor for 30 years Barry Shearer sensei

In 1983 I passed shodan under sensei Kanazawa when we were still part of SKI. Soon afterwards sensei Perry decided to form his own independent organization, and of course we at Enfield went with him.
All my other gradings were under sensei Perry, and I took nidan in 1988, sandan in 1993,yondan in 1997, and godan in 2003.

At Enfield we established one of the first clubs just for children and at one stage had over 60 kids practising on a regular basis. With the help of sensei Barbara Atkins 3rd dan the kids club is still going strong today. .
On July 6th 2003 sensei Perry awarded me 5th dan, and 25 years after that first lesson , there are now only sensei's Shearer and Gorman who have trained in JSK longer than myself.

JSK karate is constantly evolving. The karate we practise today is different to the karate we practised 10 years ago, and in 10 years time will be different again. Why people still train in the karate of the 1970's is beyond me.
When I see the smooth panther like movements of sensei Perry, or feel the power sensei Shearer produces from a person of only 5' 4", I just cannot for the life of me see why certain people believe that an instructor has to be of a certain race to be teaching true karate. That theory is rather like their karate, laughable! .

Training in JSK is very challenging, not just physically but mentally, and only truly committed karateka will succeed.
At Enfield we have always attracted karateka from other clubs and styles who wish to further their knowledge of karate-do. I think this happens with other JSK clubs as well, and can only put it down to the serious attitude we have to training.

Apart from karate I enjoy gardening, reading, walking, eating out, and travelling.

Paul Shephard December 2003

Influences and Heroes

Mick Ronson playing the best guitar solo to my favourite Bowie track, Hammersmith Odeon July 3rd 1973.

Sensei Barry Shearer the biggest influence on my karate.