TKC's Chief Instructor

Traditional Karate Center's ("TKC") founder and chief instructor is Michael Buttermark-Shihan. He is a 5th Dan (Degree Black Belt) or Godan as awarded by his sensei, Saiko Shihan Goshi Yamaguchi. The titles of Shihan master teacher, Renshi, training warrior, also is part of his rank distinction.

Buttermark-Shihan does not wish to be called the english language title of "master"; the two Japanese characters carry much more meaning. The title of "sensei", or teacher, is gratifying and humbling in, and of, itself. Although, he is "Shihan", or master teacher, the interpersonal relationship with his direct students makes it absolutely approapriate for them to call him "Sensei" on the mat during informal circumstances, but "Shihan" under in formal settings or occassions.

His Early Years

Michael-Shihan began his training at The House of Karate dojo in Great Kills, Staten Island, NY on Oct. 22, 1982. His first instructor, Anthony Dasaro-Sensei, planted the seed that grew into a lifelong passion for studying and practicing Goju-ryu Karate-do. Anthony Desaro-Sensei told stories to his students about "The Cat", Gogen Yamaguchi-Hanshi and the organization he formed in mainland Japan known as the Goju-kai.

George Smith-Shihan, founder of The House of Karate, also played an integral part in Buttermark-Shihan's formative karate years. Like a second father, Smitty-Shihan watched over and guided his progression into the Black Belt ranks. Smitty-Shihan took a very personal interest in his students; each one was like a son or daughter to him. Instilled by Smitty-Shihan's example, the mindset of "taking responsibility for your students growth" is what Buttermark-Shihan strives to achieve with each student.

Influenced by numerous dojo stories told by both Anthony Dasaro-Sensei and Smitty-Shihan, Buttermark-Shihan sought out ways to live and train karatedo in Japan with the Yamaguchi family. The answer came in the form of a military enlistment that lasted nearly 6 years.

Life in Japan

After several years of being stationed in the United States, Buttermark-Shihan was sent to Yokota Air Base in Fussa-shi, Tokyo, Japan. Immediately upon arrival in September 30, 1987, he went to the base gymnasium and inquired if karate lessons were taught on base. The answer was yes, about 6 different disciplines were offered... including Japanese Goju-ryu Karate-do. As good fortune continued to shine brightly on this eager young man, it was an International Karatedo Gojukai Association (IKGA) club taught by the very talented instructor, Yukio Ohira-Shihan.

Training at Yokota Kichi (Air Base) was an exciting experience. His earlier roots in America only gave Buttermark-Shihan a "quasi-traditional" background of the Goju karate system called Shinto Goju. Much work was needed to meet the high standards of the IKGA.

Often times when recalling this experience, he likened his experience to buying a classic muscle car that needed to be restored. "I felt like I was stripped down to the nuts and bolts, repaired, reassembled, painted and polished - clean and new."

After several weeks of training at the Yokota dojo, Buttermark-Shihan was brought to the IKGA Hombu (headquarters) dojo in Suginami-ku to meet the legendary master Gogen "the Cat" Yamaguchi-Hanshi and the IKGA Chief Instructor, Goshi Yamaguch-Shihan.

"Performing in front of a living legend was very intimidating - but I managed." The Japanese masters were very kind and they opened their dojo to me. I trained at Yokota-kichi Goju-kan with Ohira-Shihan; in the Hombu (Suginami Dojo) and Itabashi Dojo with Goshi Yamaguchi-Shihan (now Saiko Shihan or President of IKGA), Masatoshi Yamaguchi-Shihan, Horst Baumgurtel-Shihan (Switzerland); and Mitaka Goju-kan with Reiji Setoguchi-Shihan. This was a real All-star line up of modern karate masters. Even being in the presence of talented masters had a profound influence on me. Some other influencial instructors that immediately come to mind are: Masahiko and Yoshi Futawatari-Shihan (Japan), Shin Tsuki-Shihan (Japan), Shigeki Yamada-Shihan (Japan); Ian McGarrity-shihan (UK, now USA), Paul and Sandy Starling-Shihan (Australia), Peter Brandon-Hanshi (South Africa), Brian Mackey-Shihan (Australia) and many more international masters.

In the fall of 1988, Ohira-Shihan relocated his family to Australia and handed over the controls of Yokota Kichi Goju-kan to Michael-Shihan (IKGA Nidan at that time). The club developed a strong, loyal following that lasted until Buttermark Shihan departed Japan at the finish of his military enlistment. Regretably, there was no one able to assume leadership of the club and it was disbanded.

Returning to the USA

Upon returning to the United States, Michael-Shihan temporarily worked out in Smitty-Shihan's House of Karate. Smitty-Shihan encouraged him to open his own dojo and teach what's in his heart, Goju-ryu Karate-do.

In late August 1994, Michael-Shihan traveled to Edmonton, Alberta, Canada as a guest of John Priegert-shihan. The IKGA Canada Summer Training Camp was being taught by guest instructor Saiko Shihan Goshi Yamaguchi. During the camp a promotion test was offered and Michael-Shihan earned his Yondan (4th Degree Black Belt) rank.

That month, upon returning to New York, Traditional Karate Center opened its doors.

Founding TKC (New York Dojo)

TKC has strived to teach a very high standard of Yamaguchi-soke Goju-ryu Karate-do. Influenced by the examples of the master instructors who taught him, Michael-Shihan teaches with detailed technical, theoretical and philosophical information.

TKC is a family-friendly facility open to people of all walks of life. TKC is also representative of the diversity of Staten Island's population.

Good, solid, basic karate skills are important for students to have a positive karate experience. Properly armed with a solid understanding of the basics, TKC students can use this information to approach physical, verbal and emotional confrontations. It may be applied to sport karate, weight loss and stress reduction. The kata, or forms, of the Goju-ryu system also offer many people the aestetic artform and intreging movements of the body to appreciate.

Different from other sports, Karatedo is for the individual and TKC dojo stressed that it is for the students (young and old) and not for the spectators. In a typically western way, too often in sports of all kinds, competitiveness and vanity ruin the essence and values that instructors use to mold positive character (sportsmanship) and athletic development in their students. An eastern mindset of determined, hard work with humility is sought in all ages at TKC.

Founding TKC (New Jersey Dojo)

On November 1, 2008, TKC's Matawan, NJ dojo opened. This location was born out of a father's love for his daughter - whom he rarely had opportunity to instruct in the New York Dojo. Shihan opened this new dojo near his home with hopes to make that dream into a reality.