Jo Jo's

For the past few years I've been taking my son to judo  classes at a club called "Japan Arts Centre" often referred to as JAC's  or Jo and Chris's after the two coaches that run the club. 

Back in the late nineties when I was training Kung Fu at the Yellow Dragon Centre I remember the first the time I was asked to Spar. My Master had been giving a private lesson to a young lady named "Jo" who had done some Wing Chun. I entered the dojo at the end of her class and my teacher asked me to spar with her.I had never fought before but he reassured me with the rules "No punches to the face, no kicks to the groin and no kicks to the knees." Without further a do we commenced with a bow. Before I knew it I was promptly punched in the face kicked to the groin and kicked round the knees. I learnt never to underestimate my opponent or women fighters.Despite this I became reasonably good friends with Jo who was part of the underground free party techno crew "Chiba City Sound" with another friend of mine named "Joe" from the "23 faceless Techno Scooter crew."

Around the time I was invited by a another Discordian "Lisa Lovebucket" to the staging of "The Warp" a play by Neil Oram originally staged by Ken Campbell. It was due to be staged on the full moon at an all night / all day rave in conjunction with Megatripolis at the Dome in  London Bridge . The marketing promised it would be a night to remember so I decided to go. I arrived at about 23:00 hrs wearing my signature Helly Hanson Sailing Jacket and Yellow hat, which was "en vogue" at the time . Almost immediately upon entering the club I locked eyes with Korean woman who I soon learnt was named "Joh" we became great friends and hung out alot that summer , including including dj'ing together at "Enter the Yellow Dragon" and attending the legendary Madame Jo Jo's in Soho together until she returned to her home Korea in the Autumn.

RIP Joh