New students: 1 free week, then your first month of Karate for $50 and uniform included. CLAIM IT
New students: 1 free week, then your first month of Karate for $50 and uniform included. CLAIM IT
(04)
(04)
Why Choose US
Why Choose US
MORE THAN MARTIAL ARTS
MORE THAN MARTIAL ARTS
TKC goes beyond physical training, building strength, confidence, discipline, and an indomitable spirit through Goju-Ryu Karatedo.
TKC goes beyond physical training, building strength, confidence, discipline, and an indomitable spirit through Goju-Ryu Karatedo.
Authenticity
Authenticity
A direct line
to Tokyo
A direct line
to Tokyo
Traditional Karate Center founder and Master Instructor Michael Buttermark began training in New York City in 1982 as a teenager, seeking self-discipline and a positive path. In 1987, he began teaching officially at Yokota Gojukan on Yokota Air Base in Japan, deepening his experience in authentic Goju-Ryu Karatedo.
Traditional Karate Center founder and Master Instructor Michael Buttermark began training in New York City in 1982 as a teenager, seeking self-discipline and a positive path. In 1987, he began teaching officially at Yokota Gojukan on Yokota Air Base in Japan, deepening his experience in authentic Goju-Ryu Karatedo.
TKC was established in New York in 1994 and has served the Matawan, New Jersey area since 2008. Today, Michael continues to share the discipline, confidence, and character built through decades of Karate.
TKC was established in New York in 1994 and has served the Matawan, New Jersey area since 2008. Today, Michael continues to share the discipline, confidence, and character built through decades of Karate.
1987
1987
Training in Tokyo
Training in Tokyo
Training
in Tokyo
1994
1994
Begins in New York
Begins in New York
Begins in
New York
IKGA
IKGA
Goju-Ryu affiliation
Goju-Ryu affiliation
reasons
reasons
3 REASONS TO CHOOSE TKC DOJO
3 REASONS TO CHOOSE TKC DOJO
3 REASONS TO CHOOSE TKC DOJO
Experience authentic Karate, proven coaching, and supportive community.
Experience authentic Karate, proven coaching, and supportive community.
Try it Free
(01)
AUTHENTIC, NOT FRANCHISED
The curriculum comes from Tokyo, not a licensing package.
International Karatedo Gojukai Association (IKGA) lineage
Same syllabus taught in Japan & Global
Rank recognized internationally
(01)
AUTHENTIC, NOT FRANCHISED
The curriculum comes from Tokyo, not a licensing package.
International Karatedo Gojukai Association (IKGA) lineage
Same syllabus taught in Japan & Global
Rank recognized internationally
(02)
(02)
PROVEN
COACHING
PROVEN COACHING
Local kids have gone on to national and international medals.
Local kids have gone on to national and international medals.
Hall of Fame coach and athlete
Hall of Fame coach and athlete
Certified referee & judge
Certified referee & judge
Competing is always optional
Competing is always optional
(03)
(03)
SAFE &
FAMILY-FIRST
SAFE & FAMILY-FIRST
Progress is measured against yourself, never the kid beside you.
Progress is measured against yourself, never the kid beside you.
Adults teach every class
Adults teach every class
CPR, background checks, safety
CPR, background checks, safety
Parents welcome to watch
Parents welcome to watch
values
values
SAFE HANDS,
EVERY CLASS
SAFE HANDS,
EVERY CLASS
What every parent should expect from a dojo and what you'll get here.
What every parent should expect from a dojo and what you'll get here.
CPR CERTIFIED
CPR CERTIFIED
Every instructor holds a current CPR certification.
Every instructor holds a current CPR certification.
BACKGROUND CHECKED
BACKGROUND CHECKED
All staff aged 18 and over are background checked.
All staff aged 18 and over are background checked.
SAFESPORT TRAINED
SAFESPORT TRAINED
Staff follow the national athlete-protection standard.
Staff follow the national athlete-protection standard.
ADULTS TEACH EVERY CLASS
ADULTS TEACH EVERY CLASS
Experienced adult instructors, never teens filling a shift.
Experienced adult instructors, never teens filling a shift.
PARENTS CAN STAY
PARENTS CAN STAY
Open seating beside the floor
at every class.
Open seating beside the floor
at every class.
SMALL CLASSES
SMALL CLASSES
Every student gets corrected by name, every class.
Every student gets corrected by name, every class.
tkc team
tkc team
Meet the TKC team
Meet the TKC team
Meet the instructors behind TKC and their expertise.
Michael Buttermark
Shihan
Gianna Buttermark
Senpai
Diogo Valentim
Senpai & Coach
Andras Haramasz
Senpai & Jr Coach
Isabella Diaz
Senpai & Jr Coach
Radhika Sandeep
Senpai
Yuko Tozaki
Coach and Interpreter
faq
faq
Common Question
Common Question
A good school answers every one of these without hesitating. Here are ours.
A good school answers every one of these without hesitating. Here are ours.
Try it Free
Who actually teaches the class?
Adults. Every class is led by experienced adult instructors with the appropriate training and licensing to teach authentic Goju-Ryu Karate.
Who actually teaches the class?
Adults. Every class is led by experienced adult instructors with the appropriate training and licensing to teach authentic Goju-Ryu Karate.
Where does your curriculum come from?
Where does your curriculum come from?
Is your rank recognized outside this building?
Is your rank recognized outside this building?
Are staff background checked & CPR certified?
Are staff background checked & CPR certified?
Try it Free
get started
Start Your Free Week
Tell us a little about your family and we will match you to the right class, confirm a start date and send your registration and waiver, all before you set foot in the dojo.
A full free week of classes for every new student
Then your first month of Karate for $50, uniform included
We confirm by text and email within one business day
get started
Start Your Free Week
Tell us a little about your family and we will match you to the right class, confirm a start date and send your registration and waiver, all before you set foot in the dojo.
A full free week of classes for every new student
Then your first month of Karate for $50, uniform included
We confirm by text and email within one business day