About Isshin-ryu Karate
and the lineage of our school.

Shimabuku Tatsuo*, the founder of Isshin-ryu (whole heart style), learned karate from some of the greatest Okinawan masters in the world, including:

Kyan Chotoku, a master of Shorin-ryu ("Shaolin style") karate;

Miyagi Chojun, the founder of Goju-ryu ("hard/soft style") karate;

Motobu Choki, a practitioner of many karate syles and a renowned fighter;

and Taira Shinken, a living encyclopedia of the weapons arts.

A US Marine named Don Nagle brought Shimabuku’s karate to the United States, and opened the first school in this country to teach Isshin-ryu.

One of Nagle's students, Dale Jenkins, opened many schools and started an association of Isshin-ryu dojos.

Mr. Jenkins appointed Salvatore Musco as an Instructor, and Mr. Musco went on to become one of the directors of the American Budo Kai, a position he still holds today. He is a 7th degree black belt and operates his own dojo in East Morris, New Jersey.

Mr. Musco taught Maurey Levitz and encouraged him to begin teaching on his own. Mr. Levitz opened his own dojo in New Paltz, New York. Mr. Levitz currently holds the rank of 4th degree black belt in Isshin-ryu karate.

The Head Instructor of our school , Jason Donovan, is the first of Mr. Levitz's students to open his own karate school. Mr. Donovan, who has been studying under Mr. Levitz for 15 years, currently holds the rank of sandan (3rd degree black belt) in Isshin-Ryu karate.
 

* Okinawan and Japanese names typically are addressed family name first,
instead of given name first, and this listing reflects that usage.
In the Western world, however, it is not uncommon to hear either
Tatsuo Shimabuku or Shimabuku Tatsuo.

Tatsuo ("Dragon Man") was Shimabuku's nickname. He became more known as Tatsuo by than his birth name, Shinkichi.

Traditional Okinawan Karate
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Jason Donovan
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Mr. Lange

248 McKibbin St. Unit O
Brooklyn NY 11206
(718) 418-9892

Located at
248 McKibbin
Brooklyn, NY

718 418 9892

Traditional Okinawan Karate
isshin ryu
isshinryu
issshin-ryu
karate
judo
martial arts
classes
kids
adults teens children
teenagers
families
new york
brooklyn
bushwick
east williamsburg
american budo kai
budokai
kobu-justu
kobudo
Jason Donovan
Jay Donovan
Mr. Donovan
Tom Lange
Mr. Lange

248 McKibbin St. Unit O
Brooklyn NY 11206
(718) 418-9892

www.tokarate.com
tokarate
traditionalokinawankarate

An accredited
member of the
American
Budo Kai