"Where Tradition Meets Determination."
Shihan Yasuyoshi Saito
International Chief Instructor JKI
Sensei Ricardo Wooding
Chief Instructor JKI-TT
Japan Karate-Do International
At Japan Karate-Do International, we practice karate handed down from Masatoshi Nakayama to Hiroshi Shoji to Yasuyoshi Saito.
Yasuyoshi Saito
​​Board member, Country director for Japan, Technical committee member Japan
Saito Sensei was born in Northern Japan and trained in the Japan Karate Association (JKA) system with his sensei, Hiroshi Shoji. When Saito Sensei left Japan in 1970 he initially taught in France, South America and the Caribbean. In Guadeloupe, French West Indies he was chief instructor of the Budokan French Federation.
​
In 1973 Saito Sensei came to South Florida where until 1992 he was an instructor of the International Shotokan Karate Federation (ISKF), South Atlantic branch.
In 1993 he founded Japan Karate-Do International (JKI) with affiliated members in Eastern and Western Europe, Asia, the Caribbean, South America and North America. Currently Saito Sensei is also Executive Director of Shotokan Karate Do of United Nations (SKDUN)
Our Heritage
At Japan Karate-Do International (JKI), we proudly uphold the traditions of Shotokan karate, preserving a lineage passed down from Masatoshi Nakayama to Hiroshi Shoji, and to our Chief Instructor, Yasuyoshi Saito.
The Origins of Shotokan Karate
Shotokan karate was developed by Gichin Funakoshi (1868–1957) and his son Gigo (Yoshitaka) Funakoshi (1906–1945).
Born in Okinawa, Gichin Funakoshi is widely regarded as the father of modern karate. Through his public demonstrations and dedication to establishing karate clubs at Japanese universities, he introduced karate to a global audience and laid the foundation for the art as we know it today.
Masters Who Shaped Our Legacy
Masatoshi Nakayama (1913–1987)
A legendary master of Shotokan karate, Nakayama Sensei co-founded the Japan Karate Association (JKA) in 1949. His extensive writings and decades of teaching were instrumental in spreading Shotokan karate worldwide. Nakayama Sensei was the first living Shotokan master to earn the rank of 9th Dan, and after his passing, he was posthumously awarded the prestigious 10th Dan.
Hiroshi Shoji (1931–2003)
A renowned 8th Dan karate master, Shoji Sensei was a pivotal figure in bringing JKA karate to international acclaim. A graduate of Takushoku University, he won the All-Japan Karate-Do Championship multiple times and remains the only competitor in history to achieve a perfect “10” score in championship competition.
Yasuyoshi Saito – Our Chief Instructor
Saito Sensei, a dedicated student of Hiroshi Shoji, continues this distinguished tradition as the Chief Instructor of Japan Karate-Do International. His leadership and commitment ensure that the authentic techniques, discipline, and spirit of Shotokan karate are preserved for future generations.