Whitaker Budo Dojo

United States WMKA seminar featuring YOSH*TAKA TAIRA , 10th Dan Hanshi in Little Tokyo, Los Angeles, California
August 14-16, 2026

3 glorious days of training in Matsubayashi-ryu under the careful eye of Taira Kaicho, Satoru Taira and Daichi Sakamoto, with the Grand Finale of participating in the Nisei week parade.

Taira Kaicho has been officially certified as a holder of the Okinawa Prefectural Intangible Culture Asset for Okinawan karate and kobujuitsu.

He is the 1st Matsubayashi-ryu practitioner to receive this prestigious recognition in 29 years following Shoshin Nagamine in 1997and continues the legacy of our styles founder commonly referred to as O'Sensei

This event was hosted by Art Ishii sensei , took place at the Terasaki Budokan and was professionally recorded by Val Mijailovic, owner of Masters Magazine.

If you've ever been interested in trying karate, here is your opportunity.

No fees, just come an experience traditional Okinawan karate.

Fall session class schedule:
Kyu Rank: Tuesdays 4:30 -6pm

Dan Rank: Thursdays by invitation

Fridays 4:30 -5:30 Open sessions for beginners & extra class time.

New Student enrollment ends soon. A few spots still open.
Contact us at [email protected]

Over the years I have been asked by many,"What is the meaning of the symbol we use to identify our dojo?"

Thats a GREAT QUESTION!

As with each style of martial arts, a unified symbol is used to quickly identify a particular doctrine (or group affiliation) at a glance.
These are generally not just decorative but rather descriptive of the style being focused on.
Within these, hidden in plain view, are the core structural values.

Let's take a look at our specific logo.
Now this is not a complte summary of what our symbol represents, but is does touch on several aspects of the values held by our group.

The center is primarily an In/Yo (aka yin/yang) representing "Balance".
Balance is Key to everything we do. Keeping everything "in check" to promote a peaceful, harmonious, healthy life.

Now we do some Math!Within the In/Yo you will notice 2 other symbols that are Equal yet Opposite, 1 white, 1 black, each containing a smaller circle. There are many meanings behind each of these but we will only address a few here.
Black vs White
Good vs Evil
Light vs Darkness
All important values.
One cannot exist without the other.
Then we bring it closer as a description of (dark section) vs Karate (light section)
, the ancient way of stopping a conflict through the use of common tools, primarily farming implements, is represented on the dark side.
Students who primarily study typically wear a black gi top with white pants.
While those who study only , which means "empty hands" , primarily wear white on both top & bottom.
When grouped together, a larger round symbol is created bound together to create 1.

Back to our logo, which is specific to our .
You will notice that the In/Yo is surrounded by Chrysanthemum petals.
These are not just random petals either. Each petal represents one of the major islands.
They also represent the number of primary kata found in our style of known as

is considered to be the birthplace of karate.

We have open enrollment for the Fall session which begins in September to anyone interested in , ,
We offer private lessons or small groups sessions at your facility. Perfect for homeschoolers & their families.

Reflections:
Along the journey it is good to periodically video tape yourself.
This can be kata, kihon, anything related to your study of the arts.
This is not to post on social media, this is for YOU.
To observe it now to check if your trchniques...

Its also for LATER!
DAYS, WEEKS or even YEARS.
Being able to critique yourself to assist in making corrections and also see your progress down the road, video taping can be highly beneficial in tracking your progress.

During the month of June, we will explore:
Einsteins Rubber Band theory and how it relates to Martial Arts.

Students:
Dont forget
for the month of June, Wednesday class begins at 1 pm

Fall semester sign ups open now .
Last registration day:
Sept 1st.

Summer program is here and in progress.
If you ever wanted to explore adding traditional martial arts or just a simple self defense course, we are here to help you.
If you missed the sign-up for summer, you can get signed up for the fall program beginning in September.
Classes for both private and groups are perfect for home-schoolers.
30+ years experience.
Certified self defense instructor.
We offer classes in Traditional Okinawan Matsubyashi shorin-ryu, Okinawan Kobudo and SC 500 self defense
Fully customizable group sessions available.
Contact us here for more information.

A look back in time.
I should have collected my "Frequent Driving Miles" for all the years of back and forth driving from Jersey to NY going over the ever so delightful Tapanzee Bridge during rush hour for training seminars

Training isnt all about just physical movement.

Body, Mind and Spirit must unify and work together.

It was 31 years ago today that I read this book, Zen Mind, Beginners Mind as part of my martial arts training, for the 1st time and this makes perhaps the 6th or 7th time now.
Each time growing through new eyes.

I found it full of wisdom then and even more-so today.

Its part of the training process, to re-read and understand with a different perspective with greater intensity.

Much like recieving a 2nd cup of tea at an elegant tea party after completely savoring each aromatic sip to the very last drop from the 1st cup.... with each new cup comes more deliciousness.
Though there are some who will try to hold onto that 1st cup as if it were the only cup they will ever recieve. It turns cold and no longer has that delightful aroma.

So when the host/hostess comes around to offer a refill, check 1st to see if your cup is ready to recieve or will it simply flow over and be lost.

Todays reflection as we honor Memorial Day.
While many think only of the extended weekend... picnics & parties... the reality of this time is to reflect upon the many military individuals who have come before us and sacrificed their lives for the benefit of all of us to have freedom and world peace.

Lets look at this from a martial arts view.

In traditional martial arts we are in constant training of cultivating this peace through consistant training. Improving techniques as taught by our sensei.

We utilize mirrors to aid us in perfecting our physical techniques, but are we taking the time to dive deeper to develope that which is unseen?
The seemingly smaller nuances that aid in this development. Taking time to refine with intention will greatly improve your skills towards the goal of personal involvement towards world peace and not just go through superficial outward appearance without meaning or purpose from within.
Napoleon Bonaparte once pondered the idea wondering why the Okinawan people did not wish to fight, yet Okinawa is considered the birthplace of karate.
Karate translated is the Empty handed way of self defense. And self defense encompasses your family, however a family is to you. Being blood or by choice, its still family. We protect those who are in need.

Martial arts in Okinawa dive deep, developing military type skills to keep peaceful environments in their communities.

Conflicts are addressed and conquered without violence whenever possible. But should escalation of protection be required, it is readily there.

Something to reflect upon today...

Remember those who fought for our freedom and rights to choose peace over violence. They didnt have the luxury of coming home to enjoy the peace they fought for.