Jack Stern
The Seikan Judo & Jujutsu Association was officially chartered in 2021 by Steven Hatfield, dedicated to the legacy of Jack Stern. Born Jackie Albert Stern, affectionately known as "Papasan," he started his Martial Arts career in 1947 while in the US Military in Chinhae, Korea, in Korean Yudo under Sensei Tae Ju Chung. After one year, Stern's unit was moved to Northern Luzon in the Philippines where he trained under Berabe Paragas in “Stick Fighting” for 2 years. Then he was transferred again, this time to Okinawa and Japan where he trained under O'Sensei Yamaguchi Gogen in Goju Ryu Karate for 8 months. In Japan, he also trained at the Kodokan under Mifune Kyuzo and earned his black belt in Judo, as well as trained in Kyokushinkai Karate under Grandmaster Mas Oyama at the main Hombu in Tokyo. In 1956, he was discharged from the military and stayed in Japan, living with the Otani Family while continuing his studies in the arts. In 1958 he returned to the states due to his mother being sick.
After returning to the States, he continued to study under Bong Yul Shin, Sung Jae Park and Soo Hwang. In 1960, he opened Paja Dojo in New York. Soon after, he met Grandmaster Hara Naraki and started training in Nippon Goshindo Kenpo and Hakko Ryu, later receiving a 3rd Dan under Grandmaster Hara. He was also part of Grandmaster Hara's demo team at the Japanese Pavilion at the 1964 Worlds Fair alongside such famous practitioners as Michael DePasquale, Sr., Ronald Duncan and Moses Powell.
After returning to the States, he continued to study under Bong Yul Shin, Sung Jae Park and Soo Hwang. In 1960, he opened Paja Dojo in New York. Soon after, he met Grandmaster Hara Naraki and started training in Nippon Goshindo Kenpo and Hakko Ryu, later receiving a 3rd Dan under Grandmaster Hara. He was also part of Grandmaster Hara's demo team at the Japanese Pavilion at the 1964 Worlds Fair alongside such famous practitioners as Michael DePasquale, Sr., Ronald Duncan and Moses Powell.
From his Paja Dojo, Stern started the Korean Yudo Association (American branch) in the late 1960s, and started gathering members into a brotherhood of martial artists. In 1964, he was presented with an official KYA pennant to hang in his school from Sung Jae Park (see left). The KYA-USA would eventually become the World Organization of Mixed Martial Artists (WOMA) and is currently overseen by Dell Sharpe (click here). Stern maintained a relationship with the KYA, and registered students with the Dong Koo Yudo Kwan under Kang Dong Gu as late as 2010.
Regardless of his other training, Judo remained at the core of what Stern taught and pursued. During his lifetime, he was a member of the Armed Forces Judo Association (which later became the USJA), Judo Black Belt Federation of America (which later became the USJF), New York Judo Yudanshakai, Korean Yudo Association, Shufu Judo Yudanshakai and the Kodokan in Japan.
Regardless of his other training, Judo remained at the core of what Stern taught and pursued. During his lifetime, he was a member of the Armed Forces Judo Association (which later became the USJA), Judo Black Belt Federation of America (which later became the USJF), New York Judo Yudanshakai, Korean Yudo Association, Shufu Judo Yudanshakai and the Kodokan in Japan.
Stern with Mifune Kyuzo in Japan
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Training with Bong Yul Shin
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AFJA 4th Dan Certificate
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Letter from Mifune Koji
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Assorted Membership & Rank Cards, Part 1
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Assorted Membership & Rank Cards, Part 2
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