TRADITIONAL KARATE CENTER

KARATEDO
Previously mentioned, many modern martial art programs lack authenticity but not our parent organization - IKGA. Karatedo, more often called �, was founded in Okinawa from various roots dating back to the early 1800s. Most of today�s formalized karate systems became systemized in the early 1900s; the four major schools were: Goju-ryu, Wado-ryu, Shito-ryu and Shotokan. Many newer styles and organizations had been born of these roots systems after their founders died and others formed when students ventured off to pioneer their own models of karate instruction and notoriety.
Karatedo has many organizations around the world; sport karate variations do too. The traditional, root karatedo systems & their close successors do have status as an International Federation (IF) within the International Olympic Committee (IOC). The IOC recognized the World Karatedo Federation (WKF) as the IF in which Japanese karatedo is contested and judged by standardized rules and performance criteria.
In the United States of America, our US Olympic Committee (USOC) selected the USA-National Karatedo Federation (USA-NKF) as the sole, national governing body for the sport of karate. The USA-NKF hosts annual National Championships and US Team Trials. At present, only Judo and Taekwondo are Olympic sports and Karate has been unsuccessful, but very close, to gaining Olympic status. Efforts are ongoing to have Karate gain Olympic inclusion by 2020. For a majority of years since 1995, Traditional Karate Center was active within the USA-NKF (and its predecessor the USAKF), and held certified dojo membership.

GOJURYU STYLE
The Goju-ryu system was originally founded by Chojun Miyagi � the real Mr. Miyagi of the Karate Kid lore. [The movie screenplay was written by a Goju black belt who paid homage to the founder by inserting his name are the protagonist played by the actor � Pat Morita.] Miyagi traveled and studies various Chinese Kung Fu disciplines and Naha-te in Okinawa from Master Kanro Higashionna. Based on those influences, the name Goju � meaning hard and soft (opposing forces existing/working harmoniously together), is most fitting. Higashionna�s karate was greatly influenced by a kung fu Sifu (master) named Ryu-Ryu Ko. Two Okinawan masters, Miyagi (Goju), along with the renowned Shotokan founder � Gichin Funakoshi, were instrumental in systemizing the study of karatedo, incorporating it into the Okinawan education system to stimulate mental, physical, and moral development; and bringing it into the realm of a budo, warrior art form recognized by the Dai Nippon Butoku Kai establishment. Karate became recognized as a budo or martial/warrior art that adheres to the time-honored codes of bushido from samurai of feudal Japan.
Chojun Miyagi had many great students over the decades that he instructed. The individual that he hand-selected to lead and promote the growth of the Goju system in mainland Japan was Master Jitsumi (Gogen) Yamaguchi who is also renown in the karate world as The Cat. Master Yamaguchi formed his organization called the Gojukai.

GOJUKAI ORGANIZATION
Gogen Yamaguchi was a man of tremendous physical skills, mental strength, indomitable spirit and charisma. He was also an innovator � he, amongst the other karate great pioneers, was the individual credited (1934) with the organizing of karate fighting which became present day karate �sparring� and/or fighting in dojo (school) and tournament settings. In prior times, karate was a mental and physical building process that was systemized yet individual in practice � people worked on their own training exercises and not so much jointly � like in fighting practice. A fight was a brutal event that ended abruptly, oftentimes, with dire consequences. Yamaguchi�s method had students engaged in lighter battle circumstances to learn from trial/error and study the science of fighting.
Gogen Yamaguchi founded his organization � All-Japan Karatedo Gojukai Association (JKGA in 1935) and International Karatedo Gojukai Association (IKGA in 1950). Amongst his many titles and accolades, personally and professionally, are: Guinness Book of World Records highest karate ranked individual; prestigious Blue Ribbon award for a citizen by the Japanese Emperor; lawyer; yoga master; Shinto priest and artist. Master Yamaguchi drew the IKGA logo in the early 1930s � the clenched right fist in homage to the impressiveness and power of his teacher�s (Miyagi) dominant hand.
Yamaguchi�s legacy, his beloved IKGA organization, was initially a force to lift the spirits of his Japanese people in their national despair in the years following WWII. After his IKGA began to grow and heal the Japanese spirit, Yamaguchi looked to affect a global positivity, potential for mutual acceptance, and promotion of global peace through karatedo principles and practice. He felt the most fertile ground to make such a bold statement would be to work with the innocence of the youth of the world. His message of brotherhood and sisterhood is amplified in his many students and schools worldwide who adhere to his IKGA standards of teaching and its inherent philosophies.
Gogen Yamaguchi passed his legacy on to his extraordinary five children; four of whom became highly accomplish karatedo masters. The youngest of his sons has lived and advanced his father�s goals beyond what one would normally expect of a person who was following in the footsteps of a giant. Goshi Yamaguchi succeeded his father as IKGA President and Grandmaster in 1990. He leads both major Gojukai groups: IKGA (international) and JKGA (All-Japan) as a living karatedo legend, a true Renaissance man, and modern day samurai.
Saiko Shihan (Grandmaster) Goshi Yamaguchi travels to teach his IKGA family of leaders, teachers and students located on six continents. At 70 years of age, he warmly accepts the hard work and dedication of his students. Without fail, he inspires them toward growth and greatness with his seemingly endless spirit, deep commitment, and great wealth of knowledge. His accolades include: 60+ years of training, teaching and system development; an epic kumite (fighting) competitor in the early days of Japan�s karate tournament circuit; international demonstrator, author of books and videos; retired international referee for sport karate fighting and forms.
Goshi Yamaguchi�s message to the world is, �Karatedo offers something for everyone.� The statement may imply that the physical, technical and philosophical gains from a focused training system offer personally rewarding and illuminating experiences to each individual. Training in karatedo can offer a lifelong journey on a path to self-enlightenment by establishing a learned history of goals, efforts, and attained knowledge from their experiences and observations. Rewards, goals, and results are personal to each individual; therefore, anyone, regardless of age, ability, handicap, race, gender, creed, et al can reap positive gains from these experiences if they have a focused idea what they hope to attain.
Amongst numerous international students who attend seminars taught by Grandmaster Yamaguchi, Traditional Karate Center founder � Shihan (Master) Michael Buttermark, spent nearly four years living, studying, and teaching Goju karate in Tokyo under direct instruction and guidance of the IKGA President. Shihan Buttermark was most fortunate enough to receive promotions from the both the present and late IKGA Grandmasters � Goshi and Gogen Yamaguchi, and from both of their IKGA and JKGA organizations. Buttermark-Shihan inherited the Yokota Kichi Gojukan (Yokota Air Base Goju Club) from Master Yukio Ohira in 1988, developed it, and continued teaching there until he left the military, and Japan, in 1991. With 25 years� tenure in IKGA and a total of 30 years of continuous Goju practice, Michael Buttermark is Renshi Shihan (master instructor) Godan (5th degree black belt) and a member of the IKGA North American Block�s Technical Committee and founding leadership.
Inspired by his legendary teachers� examples of excellence, Buttermark-Shihan held the title of Far East Armed Forces karate champion from 1988 � 1991. Upon returning to the United States, he was a formidable national-level kata and kumite competitor. Additional highlights included: a bronze in kumite at the 1993 North American Cup between USA, Canada and Mexico, and 5th place advanced kata at the 4th IKGA World Championships in Sao Paulo, Brazil � 1997. After the Brazil championship, competition retirement meant focusing on student development inside his dojo and support of his competitor-students. A single year of �un-retirement� in 2005 proved successful; Buttermark became USA-National Karatedo Federation�s 2005 Gold medal - National Champion in master�s kata division. In 2005, 10 of his TKC students represented the USA in Rotterdam, Holland and the 4th IKGA World Championships. These novice and intermediate-level kids from New York advanced to quarter-final contention in 60% of their divisions; one TKC student won a bronze medal, the USA�s first, at this large, prestigious event. Historically, TKC staff and students have earned over 50 international, 197 National, and more than 2,000 state or local awards and medals primarily due to their excellent standards.