SJK - School of Japanese Karate (North London)

our team

SJK Shotokan Karate was established in Enfield in 1978 by martial arts husband and wife team, David and Lilian Alleyn. They have taught the martial art of shotokan karate and self defence all over England and the UK for well over 30 years and are both professional Martial Arts teachers. Many martial arts clubs in UK and abroad are run by their old students.

Both David and Lilian have graded and studied Shotokan Karate and Self Defence under the top Shotokan Japanese Martial Arts Masters: Kanazawa Sensei, (Probably the best karate master alive today) Asano Sensei, Enoeda Sensei, Kato Sensei, Kawasoe Sensei, Kase Sensei, Ohta Sensei and K. Funakoshi, Sensei.

They now have three Enfield Karate Classes, two Southgate Karate Clubs, a Karate School at Arnos Grove, Cockfosters Martial Arts School, Edmonton Karate Dojo, North London Shotokan Karate Clubs.

With training for Beginners, Intermediate and Advanced students. Over 20 Black Belt Students and Instructors train at their Enfield based Schools and Clubs

Shihan David is the Enfield/North London SJK Karate Chief Instructor - 7th Dan Master of Karate (Teacher of Teachers) He is Qualified Referee and holds Dip. Sports Psychology from Newcastle College. Shihan David also holds a Black belt in Ju Jitsu

The following shows the minimum period of time it takes to reach Shihan David's level of 7th Dan:

3 years to reach Black Belt 1st Dan (After 3years)

2 more years to reach 2nd Dan (After 5years)

3 more years to reach 3rd Dan (After 8years)

4 more years to reach 4th Dan (After 12years)

5 more years to reach 5th Dan (After 17years)

6 more years to reach 6th Dan (After 23years)

7 more years to reach 7th Dan (After 30years)

At least 30 years of training and teaching are required to reach the grade of 7th Dan. This means Sensei David has been awarded Seven Blacks in Karate and one in Ju Jitsu making a total of eight Black belts. (or 8 Dan gradings)

Lilian is a 4th Dan Shotokan Karate Sensei (Teacher).
The rest of the team will follow soon

Carol and Ray are a couple who are dedicated to SJK and spend many hours every week helping at the classes.

Ray is a 3rd Dan Black Belt and has been teaching for many many years for the School of Japanese Karate he is Sensei David's right-hand man. Although he follows Sensei David's strict Shotokan style he also adds his own interesting variations to the classes. Ray is due to take his 4th Dan soon.

Carol is a 2nd Dan Black Belt and had a period of time off to bring up her daughter but returned to assist Sensei David with admin. and assists Sensei Ray with his classes. Carol is soon due to take her grading for 3rd Dan.

David and Lilian are most grateful to both Carol and Ray for helping them while Sensei Lilian has been ill over the last year or two

.Anna initially wanted to start training in the martial arts for reasons of self defence. Karate has certainly given her the tools to be able to protect herself, but she learned so much more !!

She began training in January 2001 in her late thirties and has now attained the rank of Nidan - 2nd Dan Black Belt. In the last couple of years she has also been teaching beginners and advanced students at the School of Japanese Karate as a fully certified and licensed Instructor, which she feels has been the most rewarding experience !

She has competed nationally on behalf of , SJK as well as individually, having won medals in Kata.

She has also been fortunate in being able to travel to Japan where she trained with Master Nohara on Okinawa - the birthplace of modern day Karate and in particular Shotokan Karate.

Ian has trained under several high ranking Black Belts including legendary Japanese Sensei Hirokazu Kanazawa 10^th Dan, Shiro Asano 9^th Dan & Nobuaki Kanazawa 6^th Dan.

He believes in following the traditional principles of Shotokan and it is his personal philosophy, perhaps unusually, that the journey is far more important than the destination. Although a Black Belt himself, he believes dedication and spirit are more important to Karate than the belt one achieves.

Ian will always be indebted to both Lillian & David Sensei for their support and encouragement.

As a C.R.B. checked and insured instructor he derives great satisfaction from, and is dedicated to helping both adults and children reach their full potential.