About Us (Jishin-Kai Shotokan Karate)

About JKSK について

Jishin-Kai Shotokan Karate, JKSK follows the path of Traditional Shotokan Karate-Do with a strong Sensei Hirokazu Kanazawa's influence.

In Japanese Jishin 自信 means self belief and Kai 会 means Group or Association. Self belief is the ethos the JKSK promotes within the clubs. JKSK is a non-political group which strives to promote training in a friendly and safe environment whilst maintaining the values and discipline of traditional shotokan karate.

At Jishin-Kai the class structure is mainly geared around the 3 K's of Shotokan Karate. Kihon, Kumite and Kata are all taught within the JKSK's syllabus. In addition the training with focus pads and striking shields are also an important aspect of the weekly training, together with some self protection to enhance awareness of one's surrounding.

The Chief Instructor and founder of JKSK is Sensei Gabriel Tan who:

~ is a fully qualified 3rd Dan Senior Instructor and Examiner, certified by NAKMAS National Governing Body

~ is registered and cleared to teach children by the Criminal Records Bureau (CRB)

~ holds a valid professional indemnity insurance

~ is First Aid trained

Currently JKSK have three clubs based on the border of Hertfordshire and Bedfordshire ~ Stotfold, Arlesey and Shefford. The group also runs After School Clubs at all their local lower schools in Stotfold, namely St. Mary's VC Lower School, Roecroft Lower School and Fairfield Park Lower School.

Brief History

Back in the 70's and among many other respectful sensei's in the UK, Sensei John Van Weenen sought karate instructions from the great Sensei Hirokazu Kanazawa (10th Dan). in 1982 Sensei Weenen formed TASK (Traditional Association of Shotokan Karate) based in Bedford. In that same year Letchworth club was opened at the Letchworth Leisure Centre. In January 1983 another club was opened at Fernhill School in Letchworth, Herts.

The Stotfold club, together with the Welwyn Garden City club was opened in 1993 under TASK.

A year later Sensei Roy Hazelwood parted company with TASK and formed his own association - TSKAGB. He took both Welwyn and Stotfold clubs with him.

In April 2004 Sensei Gabriel Tan took over the Stotfold club and the club is now under an exciting group ~ JKSK headed by Sensei Tan.

The Shefford club was opened in February 2006. Both the Shefford and Stotfold clubs have grown from strength to strength and have gained very good reputation for having well disciplined karate ka.

The Arlesey club was opened on 2nd April 2009.