The martial art known as Shotokan Karate was founded by Gichin Funakoshi, who lived from 1868–1957. Funakoshi, born in Okinawa, was a lifelong martial artist who worked tirelessly to preserve and share the practical and philosophical teachings of traditional karate. In the early 20th century, he introduced karate to mainland Japan, where it was refined into what became known as Shotokan Karate — a system characterized by its stable stances, powerful strikes, and emphasis on discipline, character development, and effective self-defense.

As a striking martial art, Karate practice (called kumite when sparring) consists of various punches, kicks, open-hand strikes, blocks, sweeps, and evasive movements. A person who practices Karate is called a karateka. One of the core principles of Karate is to cultivate the ability to decisively end a confrontation with speed, precision, and control. Shotokan Karate emphasizes strong, direct techniques delivered with full commitment, as well as the importance of maintaining calm awareness in the face of aggression.

Here at TJMA Dojo, our Shotokan Karate curriculum includes kihon (fundamental techniques), kata (formalized movement patterns), and kumite (sparring). Our training places a primary emphasis on self-defense application and practical combat effectiveness. While we respect the sport aspect of modern karate, our focus is not on tournaments or point-based competition. Instead, students train to handle real-world scenarios, defending against a range of attacks including strikes, grabs, and multiple assailants.

We also incorporate stress-testing drills such as sparring in low-light conditions, dealing with surprise attacks, and managing multiple opponents to build true situational confidence. We at TJMA Dojo believe you’ll find our Shotokan Karate program to be a disciplined, powerful martial art with deep roots in personal protection and self-improvement. Whether you’re a beginner or an experienced martial artist, we welcome you to join us on the mats and experience the timeless spirit of traditional Karate.