IKF Karate Program

IKF Karate Program

The International Karate Federation (IKF) strives to provide the highest caliber of martial arts fitness training to students of all ages. IKF’s karate program is based on Kotaka-Ha Shito-Ryu, one of only a handful of karate styles recognized by the International Olympic Committee. Combining traditional Japanese methodology with an innovative approach to modern fitness training techniques, IKF seeks to cultivate each student’s potential and provide an opportunity for them to be the best karate-ka possible!

Proven Excellence

IKF provides highly qualified and experienced instructors, as well as world-class athletes. Our instructors have extensive experience helping students reach their goals, and provide a fun but professional environment. IKF hopes to enrich each student’s life by building confidence, responsibility, discipline, and humility, which can be applied to activities both inside and outside of karate. 

                                Sensei John’s Philosophy                              

“To accomplish great things, we must not only act, but also dream; not only plan, but also believe.”

I relocated from Hawaii to Sacramento in 1993 to open a dojo with the purpose of educating children and adults of all ages about the true meaning of karate. I started teaching only a handful of students from an old, concrete-floored hall. I wanted to impart my passion for karate to my students; to teach not only the technical aspect of self-defense but to instill the value of discipline, dedication, perseverance, and self-confidence.

I believe in challenging each student to reach his potential and beyond. 

My philosophy is that IKF is not just about karate, it is about family. Once you are an IKF student, you always have a place to come for help, advice, or support. As I reflect on the past 20 years, I am humbled by the growth of IKF Sacramento and the accolades achieved by numerous students on the national and international level, but especially by the character of my students and the positive impact they have made in the world. Those students I began teaching when I first arrived in Sacramento are still involved with IKF today, despite going on to achieve great successes in each of their lives. Knowing that I had a positive impact on their lives gives me the greatest satisfaction as an instructor. These are the types of lasting relationships that IKF is all about, and the reason why I love teaching karate.

Mission Statement

The International Karate Federation provides karate services of the highest caliber through an innovative approach synergizing traditional aspects of karate with the most modernized fitness-training techniques focusing on self-defense, dedication, and character-building in order to foster the growth of students of all ages to help them achieve their goals in all aspects of life.