Sensei Kerker began his training in Isshin-ryu Karate with Sensei Harrill in April of 1987 and has been the Carson Dojo Sempai and floor instructor for many years. He has traveled the country assisting Sensei Harrill with his seminars since he was a green belt.
Anyone who has trained with John Kerker in the Carson dojo, at one of Sensei Harrill’s seminars, or now ... at one of Sensei Kerker's own seminars; will understand that the basics, kata, bunkai, and Tatsuo Shimabuku's kumite techniques, are the things that are stressed.
Mr. Kerker is now the chief instructor at the Carson dojo, where he continues to teach Isshin-ryu Karate as he was taught by Sensei Harrill.
A note from Sensei John Kerker: "I know I cannot nor would I ever attempt to take Sensei Harrill's place. Mr. Harrill never trained anyone in the dojo to be his clone, but rather that your karate-do training helps you to become the best person you can possibly be. Always remember that true karate training begins and ends with courtesy.
Sensei Harrill is a shining example of this. Sensei Harrill's expressed wish was that we all remain a family of Isshin-ryu students and that we celebrate and continue the training that he bestowed upon us the same way that he did with what he learned from Tatsuo Shimabuku. Nothing from the seminars that I instruct will change from the format or the material that Sensei Harrill presented to us. Thats what I know and thats how I honor my Sensei.
I don't pretend to have all the answers about everything, but together as Isshin-ryu karate-ka, we will do our best to insure that Sensei Harrill's way of instructing Tatsuo Shimabuku's Isshin-ryu Karate will continue and prosper."
A note from Sensei Gilbert: Sensei Kerker cannot replace Sensei Harrill, nor does he try to. And, while it is certainly true that Sensei Kerker may not quite have the technical expertise or ability that Sensei Harrill possessed; I am sure that, as he continues his own training, someday he will get there in his own right.
There is no doubt among those who trained with Sensei Harrill that he was indeed a true karate master. Many will never fully comprehend just how far Sensei Harrill had developed his skills and understanding of karate. His abilities were sometimes frightening. However, those of us who were close to him also knew he was sometimes frustrated by the difficulty he had in getting students to understand what he was trying to get across to them.
Sensei Harrill entrusted his dojo to John Kerker for a reason. Sensei Kerker puts his all into every seminar he gives, and I always leave amazed at how much skill and knowledge he does possess, and also at how much I learn from each encounter. Sensei Kerker has, I believe, the greater ability as a teacher. He explains things patiently, in a concise way that many can understand and then apply.
I believe Sensei Harrill knew what he was doing when he made his choice of who he entrusted his dojo to, and I am certain Sensei Harrill is very proud of what John Kerker is doing. |
