About Us
Shotokan Karate of America
SKA is a nonprofit organization that has been teaching traditional karate-do in the United States since 1955. SKA was founded and is still led by Tsutomu Ohshima. Mr. Ohshima is also recognized as the chief instructor of many other SKA-affiliated national Shotokan organizations worldwide. SKA maintains its national headquarters in Los Angeles.
The mission of Shotokan Karate of America is "To preserve, perpetuate, and advance the legacy of Shotokan Karate for the betterment of the lives of those who train, and to contribute positively to human history."
Contact information for SKA is as follows:
Shotokan Karate of America
222 S. Hewitt Street, Room 7
Los Angeles, CA 90012 USA
Phone: (213) 437-0988
Office hours: M-F 9:00 am to 5:00 pm (PST)
Email for general questions about SKA, including membership: hq@ska.org
Website: www.ska.org
Sacramento Dojo
About the Founder: Walt Branam - Yodan (4th degree black belt)
Walt trained directly under Mr. Ohshima. He began training in SKA in 1973, at the Long Beach Dojo in Southern California. He earned his black belt in 1979, and began instructing at the Sacramento SKA dojo that same year. Black Belts from other systems often seek him out for instruction, recognizing his skills, experience and ability as an instructor. He promoted to the rank of Yodan in 2002. Walt retired from leading the Sacramento Dojo in 2021.
Contact Information for the Sacramento Dojo:
Michael O'Brien, Head Instructor: sacdojoska@gmail.com
Tom Tseng, Dojo Manager: tnbtseng@pacbell.net