SKDI MISSION

As a member of the Japan Karate Association World Fedreration (JKA WF), SKDI is committed to traditional shotokan karate instruction. With connectinos to North Atlantic Karate Karate Association since 1975, Shotokan Karate-Do International was founded by Masataka Mori in 2000 and has since flourished to many dojos under the leadership of our experienced Board of Directors and senior instructors.  SKDI instructors hold regional and international qualifications from the JKA Headquarters in Tokyo, Japan as Instructors, Examiners, and Judges.

JKA SKDI Board of Directors

​Shu Takahashi

7th Dan, ​Chairman

​Chief Instructor, Read​ More

Douglast Luft, 7th Dan

​Vice-Chairman

​Read More

Robert Jacobs, 7th Dan

​Executive Director

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Eiji Toryu, 7th Dan

​Secretary

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Margaret Thomas, 6th Dan

​Director

​Read More

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FOUNDER SKDI: Masataka Mori, 1932-2018

Chief Instructor New York Dojo HQ, 1968-2018

Masataka Mori of Closter, age 85, born in Fukuoka, Japan, he attended Takushoku University and became captain of the Karate team. He came to the United States in 1963 as a karate instructor for the Japan Karate Association of Hawaii.   In 1968, he and his family moved to New York City, where he became the Chief Instructor of the JKA of New York and the Chief Instructor of JKA-Shotokan Karate-do International and attained the 9th Dan. In addition to teaching at his dojo, he had taught for years at New York colleges, including SUNY at Stony Brook, Columbia University, and CUNY, as well as a local schools, the Japanese Children’s Society. He often travelled abroad, acting as tournament arbitrator or judge, or teaching at various seminars.  This year marks his 50th year of teaching in New York City. He was an avid golf enthusiast and often participated in locally hosted Japanese American events.  Masataka Mori passed peacefully at his home in Closter, where he lived and gardened for forty years, surrounded by his devoted family. He is survived by Keiko, his wife of 61 years, his daughters Mayumi and Sayuri, their spouses Stephen and Alex, his six grandchildren, Allison, Kimiko, Andrew, Natalie, and Alexa and Kaitlin.
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For information about our founding instructor, please visit our memoriam webpage: 
Tribute to Mori-sensei