Sensei James began his training in the 1960/1 and after extensive training in Japan under
Sensei Kase (Shotokan), gaining his Shodan at the JKA in 1963. In 1966 he came
across the Yoyogi dojo of Higaonna Sensei and was hooked on Okinawan
Goju-Ryu.
He came to the UK in 1974 as a 5th Dan, with the objective of
establishing Okinawan Goju-Ryu throughout Europe. During the six months Sensei
James was here he established two dojos in Oxford and set up the BGKA (British
Goju Ryu Karate Association). The BGKA later became EGKA when the Scottish
clubs formed their own group.
After he returned to South Africa, his
brother, Peter, led the BGKA. In 1978 Sensei James returned and settled in
Bournemouth to begin his study of Chiropractic. He now is one of the UK's
leading chiropractors.
Sensei James, Sensei Morio Higaonna and Sensei
Teruo Chinen were the founding instructors of the IOGKF (International Okinawan
Goju-Ryu Karate-Do Federation), which was established in Poole, England in July
1979. Our instructor Sensei Len (then 2nd Dan) was the only UK instructor
present at the founding discussions held in Sensei James' home.
The
founder dojos of the GKI were ex-members of the English Goju-Ryu Karate
Association. The other senior instructors who formed the GKI were Senseis Len
Sim, Gary Weber, Paul Stiffle, John Boyle, Henrieheta Sim, Paul Coleman, Steve
Thomson, Craig Nevitt, Kevin Nason, Tim Cooper and Dave Thompson.
Today
he lives just south of Birmingham, almost next door to the hall where the GKI
holds its winter Gasshuku.
Sensei James (left) and brother Peter, Windsor, 1975
