Doshi-Kai Karate (“Doshi-Kai” meaning “The group pursuing the way”) was founded by Master Nagao Matsuyama, in Boston, Massachusetts, in 1984, and is now located centrally in Acton, Massachusetts.
The atmosphere at Doshi-Kai Karate is unique—serious and focused, but friendly and not militaristic. In this setting, you can really feel the difference between “commercial” martial arts and the rare traditional non-profit groups where the “art” is more important than the promotion, the technique more valued than the belt, and the individual progress is not measured by how much you’ve paid out, but by how hard you work on yourself.
These classes will challenge you to excel, much like the way they were taught in Japan to promote mental and physical discipline. Master Matsuyama’s advanced take on Shotokan combines the flexibility and fluidity of Taisabaki (shifting) with the speed, power and forward focus of traditional Shotokan.
Every class with Master Matsuyama is like a special seminar—he has been mentored by Master Watanabe, a student of the founder of Shotokan Karate, Grandmaster Funakoshi. Advanced students come from a long way off, just to have a chance to work out with Master Matsuyama at his level. Learn more Master Matsuyama.
The adult classes are open and beneficial to students of all levels, from the very beginners to Black Belts, men, women and adolescents age 14 and above.
Although the classes are physical, much like the way they were traditionally taught in Japan, in order to promote mental and physical discipline, there is a very smooth transition from Kihon (Basics) and Kata (Form) to Kumite (Sparring). The classes are open to beginners as well as advanced black belts.