John Van Weenen

Only now, after a lifetime of experiences and forty years studying Karate-do, has John van Weenen put pen to paper and written his autobiography. The result is astonishing, providing a graphic account of an adventurer who has become one of Britain's most respected and influential instructors. From less than auspicious beginnings, John began the practice of karate in Australia. After being awarded his black-belt, he returned to England, before leaving for Tokyo to train at the Japan Karate...See more

Only now, after a lifetime of experiences and forty years studying Karate-do, has John van Weenen put pen to paper and written his autobiography. The result is astonishing, providing a graphic account of an adventurer who has become one of Britain's most respected and influential instructors. From less than auspicious beginnings, John began the practice of karate in Australia. After being awarded his black-belt, he returned to England, before leaving for Tokyo to train at the Japan Karate Association. Arriving back in Britain in 1968, John aligned himself to the world famous Hirokazu Kanazawa, but ultimately it was Gichin Funakoshi, the 'Father of modern day karate', whose philosophy intrigued him. He found particular poignancy in the Master's words "Make benevolence your lifelong duty". See less