World Shotokan Karate-do Federation - Perth - Brisbane - Melbourne - Martial Arts, Self Defence, School

SENSEI HOWARD MUTTON

Growing up with a diet of Japanese martial arts TV shows such as The Samurai and The Phantom Agents, gave Sensei Howard a liking for Japanese martial arts and so he commenced karate in the early 70’s training with Sensei Denis Purvis who, in those days, had a background in Kyokushinkai karate subtly mixed with a Shotokan influence. In those days, karate schools were few and far between in Western Australia and martial arts were undergoing a massive boom in popularity so classes tended to be extremely crowded and training could be quite punishing. The ensuing years saw Sensei Howard affiliated with Karate Budokan International in Malaysia who’s Chief Instructor at that time was Chew Choo Soot (father of Tony Chew) and had other instructors such as Koh Beng Soon and Ping Wah.

Travelling to Malaysia a couple of times to train and compete in local and international Budokan competitions in the mid 70’s was a valuable experience for Sensei Howard.

After running a successful dojo in Perth for a number of years, Sensei Howard, in 1980, joined what was then the Shotokan Karate Association of Australia (now Shotokan Karate International Australia) under the famous Sensei Frank Nowak.Sensei Howard regards Sensei Nowak as someone who was a great inspiration and had a major influence in his karate life.Sensei’s Nowak’s beauty of movement combined with extreme power and speed was always an inspiration to watch.His training sessions could be physically demanding however his ability to pass on knowledge was unparalleled.

Sensei Howard stayed with SKIA until 1995.During that time he had the privilege to train with a number of well known international instructors not the least of which was Sensei Hirokazu Kanazawa.It was during this time, he also had the fortune to train with Sensei Hitoshi Kasuya for the first time in 1987. Both Kasuya Sensei’s attitude, and his technical ability, was an influencing factor in Sensei Howard joining Kasuya Sensei’s relatively new organisation, The World Shotokan Karate-do Federation in 1995.

In 2001, Sensei Howard took over the mantle of Chief Instructor of WSKF in Australia. His main role now is the maintenance of the technical standard throughout the organisation and to this end, he spends time visiting each club both in WA and the Eastern states.The growth of WSKF in Australia is the main goal of Sensei Howard, but not growth ‘at any cost’ as it is really a quality rather than quantity growth that is important.

Seeing the progression of people from beginner to travel through the kyu grades and then develop into good instructors is something that Sensei Howard finds very satisfying with his training.

When not training, Sensei Howard runs a retail merchandising company in Perth, Western Australia.

Dan rankings:

Shodan (1^st Dan) 1975 (Sensei Denis Purvis)

Nidan (2^nd Dan) 1984 (Kanazawa Sensei)

Sandan (3^rd Dan) 1987(Kasuya Sensei)

Yondan (4^th Dan) 1993 (Kanazawa Sensei)

Godan (5^th Dan) 1999 (Kasuya Sensei)

Rokudan (6^th Dan) 2008 (Kasuya Sensei)


Other accreditations:

Australian Karate Federation – State Referee

NCAS Level 1 Coach

WSKF Level A International Examiner, Judge & Instructor

Interesting overseas training / competition experience:

As a young man staying in Kuala Lumpur to train daily at the Karate Budokan International headquarters was a wonderful experience, as was competing in the Budokan World Championships at this time.

Training in Japan at the WSKF International Seminar with members from a wide range of countries in 2000, 2004 and 2007 was a great highlight.

Training with the knowledgeable Sensei James Field 7^th Dan JKA in his storefront dojo in Santa Monica Los Angeles was also a very rewarding experience.

Contact Sensei Mutton at:

admin@wska.org.au


Sensei Howard Mutton



Sensei Howard Mutton with Kasuya Sensei