Affiliation Information
Traditional Karate-do Federation International (TKFI) often receives inquiries regarding membership to our organization.
TKFI is a classical Karate organization, and preserves the integrity of our martial art. The late founder, Kenwa Mabuni, and the late Soke, Kenzo Mabuni, embraced the true essence of Karate-do. Del Saito, our present leader for TKFI, was given the blessing by his teacher Kenzo Mabuni Soke, to continue in preserving Shito-ryu within the mission of TKFI.
The easiest way to join TKFI is to visit one of our branch dojo and apply to become a student. You will be taught Shito-ryu Karate-do under the guidance of one of our licensed instructor.
If you are already an instructor with a dojo or group, and wish to affiliate with TKFI, please follow the following requirements:
- If there is already a TKFI representative in your country, you must apply for affiliation through them. To check if there is already an established branch in your country, please click on our map.
- If there is no affiliated branch in your country, then you must be prepared to visit Oregon, U.S.A. (at your expense) to meet with Del Saito Soke and the Shihan-kai, or invite (at your expense) a shihan (appointed by Saito Soke) to your dojo.
You must be willing to forfeit your current grade and accept a new grade (possibly a lower grade) after an assessment by Soke and/or the Shihan-kai.
After you have travelled to Oregon (or after a shihan has visited your dojo) the TKFI International Shihan-Kai will decide whether or not to accept you with Provisional Membership. Provisional Membership has limitations and may extend for a period of two years. After two years of Provisional Membership the TKFI International Shihan-Kai will decide whether or not to grant full membership. Should you wish to apply, initial contact should be by letter. (applications by email will not be accepted). Please include a recent photograph of yourself, information about your Karate and martial arts background (please attach certified copies of all dan certificates), and a DVD of you and your students showing fundamentals, Kata, Kumite, Kobudo (if applicable) and any other training activities you wish to share, and send to:
Jessie Nelson
TKFI General Secretary
1535 Harbeck Road
Grants Pass, Oregon 97527
U.S.A.