Tribute to a Master

Sanzo (Jack Haywood) Seki was born in Japan on July 7, 1914; a time when being half Japanese and half American was not readily accepted. At an early age he began a spiritual quest to improve mind and body and embraced the discipline of Bushido, the way of the Warrior. He studied first under his father who was a Jiu Jitsu master, and then was sent to study with the legendary Professor Kano himself. Some years earlier, Kano had developed the sport of Judo as an alternative to the hand-to-hand combat of Jiu Jitsu. The young Sanzo Seki was more interested in the full contact exercise that he would ultimately develop into an American Art. Before leaving Japan, he would earn Yudan degrees in Judo, Aikido, Karate, and Jiu Jitsu.

He came to this country in the early 1930's, and accepted it as his own. He continued perfecting his art while working as an inspector at Lockheed Aircraft in Southern California. For 35 years he worked and taught Jiu Jitsu, eventually reaching the ninth degree (Kudan). For twenty years, four or five nights per week starting in the early 1950's, he taught at L.A. Valley College as well as other venues. His "no wimps" approach to teaching did not set well with many students, even at the black belt level. He felt however, that the importance of being able to control one's emotions under duress was the best way to avoid applying one's techniques to the unsuspecting. From 1974 until his retirement in 1986, he held the U.S. Championship title for full contact Jiu Jitsu. He retired undefeated and attempted to slip into obscurity with only an occasional contact with his longtime students.

Around Thanksgiving 1997, he called an old acquaintance, Kung Fu Master Carl Totton, looking for his "Ichi ban" Sensei Linda Gross. Linda had been his student since 1958, and had attained the highest rank. Sensei Gross reports that Master Seki was suffering the effects of emphysema, the result of many years of cigarette smoking, and was no longer able to travel. In his later life, Master Seki had continued his spiritual quest. He wanted his old "ichi ban" to know he had found peace and happiness in a personal relationship with his Maker and Savior, even if he didn't have much time left in this life. He gave a belated "pat on the back" to Linda saying he was proud of her accomplishments, and encouraged her to continue advancing the art.

He died in Bullhead City Arizona, where he had retired, on April 20, 1998. He leaves one stepdaughter, many friends, students, and a legacy known as Seki Ryu Jiu Jitsu.......We will all miss him.