Chief Instructor
The Chief Instructor of Seishin Shotokan Karate is Paul Walker, a 6th degree black belt with over 30 years of experience in the martial arts. Sensei Walker started his martial arts training in England in January 1982 achieving the rank of 2nd degree black belt in Anshin-ryu karate under Sensei Keith Bell in December 1989, and then a 3rd degree black belt in January 1993 under Sensei Frank Newton, head of the Isle of Mann Karate Federation. He began Shotokan karate in 1992 at the University of Aston under Sensei Roger Timmins and trained at Master Hirokazu Kanazawa’s Headquarters Dojo in Tokyo for three years from August 1996 to July 1999. In June 2008 he was awarded his 5th degree black belt from Master Kanazawa and more recently in June 2014 he received his 6th degree black belt from the new head of the Shotokan Karate International Federation, Kancho Nobuaki Kanazawa, Master Kanazawa’s eldest son.
In March 2005, Master Kanazawa visited Sensei Walker’s club in Apple Valley and taught a series of four seminars and in the same month Sensei Walker accompanied Master Kanazawa to Hollywood and featured in the master’s DVD series “Mastering Karate” with Rising Sun Productions. Master Kanazawa continues to be the primary influence and mentor in Sensei Walker’s karate training. Master Kanazawa visited again in June 2010 and Sensei Nobuaki Kanazawa also visited in June 2006, February 2010 and together with his father in June 2010. Shihan Manabu Murakami visited together with Master Kanazawa in March 2005 and Hanshi Hiroyasu Fujishima has supported all events at Sensei Walker’s dojo including leading a seminar of his own in 2011.
In June 2007 Sensei Walker published his first book, Lessons with the Master, about his experiences of studying karate under Master Kanazawa in Japan. He has also had his articles on karate published in Shotokan Karate Magazine, Masters’ Magazine, and The Shotokan Way website, among other websites. He is currently working on releasing an Online Dojo that covers all of the Shotokan content from beginner to black belt.
In addition to our chief instructor, our club has several black belt instructors who teach and assist in class on a weekly basis. The two head instructors are Sensei Andrew Sherman, 3rd Degree Black Belt and Sensei Brandon Marquez, 3rd Degree Black Belt. There are also several senior grades who help out each week.