Del Saito's Martial Arts Training Center

Mission Statement:

The Traditional Karate-do Federation International is dedicated to the promotion, preservation and education of the martial arts and its traditions. TKF International strives to be the most reputable and respected organization worldwide, dedicated in preserving the classical styles of martial arts such as Shito-ryu as founded by Kenwa Mabuni, promoted by Kenzo Mabuni and advanced by Del Saito Soke through incorporation of his modification of the style.

Each member is asked to sincerely commit to achieving the goals of TKF International with integrity, and always striving for self-improvement of the mind, body and spirit.

KARATE-DO - A GREAT TOOL FOR SOCIETY

Thoreau's observation is probably more accurate today than when he first expressed it roughly 160 years ago. We live in the freest society on earth, yet many of us feel like prisoners caught in a technological age we cannot fathom.

We are a consumer society, and our society is being consumed. Little is left to hold onto as we slip closer to the edge. Drugs numb the mind; television sells “reality” while stealing the soul. We’ve trampled our traditions to dust; we burn the American flag, and for the life of us, we can’t decide what is moral.

The average marriage falls apart faster than a new car. We shove the elderly into "communities" or the "old folks home" at the first opportunity. The average attention span has been reduced to the length of a TV commercial as schools crumble and SAT scores plummet.Discipline, manners, and respect for others have been scrapped like old clothing, and we embrace the latest therapy theories and the "hottest" new assertiveness training programs. Many children are left to "do their own thing," or ignored, and as a result they are cut adrift.

We waste our nation's resources then seek to take from other nations that which is not ours. Most show little respect for our environment. Nature is something to be cut, cleared, and conquered, drilled, pumped, developed, and sold. We have set ourselves apart from and above nature and we are totally out of step with her rhythms.

Greed is the operative word as we sell our country off piecemeal to the highest bidder, and the meaning of life has been reduced to bumper-sticker mentality: "He who dies with the most toys, wins." In other words, he who has the most possessions is most blessed.

In all areas we accept the lowest common denominator. The slogan "Made in America" was once a source of great pride. Now, as our industry parallels the decline of our society, that slogan has become a joke at best, a warning at worst.

These are the things we have sown, and our harvest is bitter: Unable to make a difference, we become indifferent; unable to accept,we reject; unable to understand, we blame; unable to love, we hate.Never have so many seemed so determined to extinguish the last flicker of inner light

From this abyss, Karate-do provides a moral path, a life-long road leading to enlightenment and understanding. Any martial art which values and teaches just physical techniques adds little to the individual student and serves to further disrupt and threaten society.Karate-do, however, emphasizes physical, mental, and spiritual unity.It is a quest for a higher moral and spiritual plane. Karate-do provides a unique vision, and the world is seen with more compassion and sensitivity. Daily life is, therefore, approached with greater serenity and kindness.

Formality, respect, tradition, and discipline are the cornerstones of any good dojo. And, to a degree, the dojo reflects the world in which we live. In it, we meet people from all walks of life, and each person appears different from you and me; backgrounds, goals, likes and dislikes differ. Yet, as we study and train, gaining internal and external strength, we begin to see that at the core our needs are the same: Not one person exists who does not need food to nourish the body.Likewise, not one person exists who does not need respect, kindness,compassion, and understanding to nourish his soul and spirit. This is true regardless of age, sex, size, race, or physical appearance. We understand the truth of this not just in the dojo but in our daily lives, as well.

Through practice and training we learn many things. We discover that Karate-do is not confined to the dojo, to tournament victories or trophies, or to defending against an attacker on the street. Kata -as all katas begin and end with defensive moves - teaches us the meaning of, "Karate ni sente nashi," which translates as, "In karate, one does not make the first move." And, just as we learn to block punches,strikes, and kicks, we learn to block the angry words and provocative gestures of our fellow men.

As we conduct our personal lives, we know that strength has nothing to do with winning fights or forcing our will on others. True strength lies in the ability to stand firm to our moral commitments. When it is necessary to let irritants pass, we do so. If it is best to walk away from foolish confrontations, we walk away confidently, without remorse or hesitation. We also possess the courage to meet any true adversity or crisis with great resolve and capability.

As we follow the spiritual path of the "do," our approach to life becomes quieter, more respectful. And, as we discover more about ourselves, we discover more about our true place in the universe. Ultimately, it becomes clear that there’s but one significant victory in life - the victory over one’s self. With this understanding life’s important values - harmonizing with nature and our fellow men -become clearly focused and embraced.

TKO Directors

These pages are for your learning enjoyment. Traditional karate-do Federation International(TKFI), Del Saito, Del Saito's Martial Arts Training Center, LLC (MATC), and any of its instructors, web designer, staff members, directors, officers and representatives, make no claims nor assume responsibility for use of any of the techniques described or shown on this website. Any injuries you may incur through the practice and/or use of these techniques is the responsibility of the readers. Any injuries the reader may impart on others through the practice and/or use of the techniques described or shown on this website is the responsibility of the readers.

Enjoy and learn from this site, however, please do not try to apply anything from these pages without first getting proper training. Reading these pages and looking at the images is not proper training.