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Chief Instructor, Shu Takahashi , 7th Dan
Master Takahashi-sensei is the chief instructor of Shotokan Karate-Do International. SKDI is one of the major North American branches of the Japan Karate Association World Federation with member dojos and affiliations from Central America to Canada. Appointed chief instructor in 2018, Master Takahashi-sensei serves as chief instructor of JKA Brooklyn, which he founded in 1972. He has lectured and instructed at many annual seminars in Canada, Haiti, and Venezuela. He served as chief judge of the All American Karate Federation (AAKF) and Shoto World Cup tournaments. At the collegiate level, Takahashi-sensei has instructed karate in New York for nearly two decades at the City University of New York and the State University of New York. He is a graduate of Tokyo National University of Fine Arts and a member of the University's karate team. |
Chief Instructor SKDI & JKA NY
Training since: 1963 JKA International Qualifications: Instructor: A Judge: A Examiner: A |
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Tony DeCaprio, 6th Dan
> Tony started training in 1980 at Binghamton University with Sensei Fred Ianucci. He served for three years as president of the university karate club. During summer recess, Tony continued his studies in Queens under Sensei Bob Shapoff, and on summer weekends at the Stony Brook University karate club with Senseis Muller, Angelo, and Short. These instructors helped shape his raw basics. In 1982, Tony joined the Japan Karate Association's New York City dojo under chief instructor Mori-sensei. A life-changing journey began. Tony believes that Mori-sensei's unwavering emphasis on character, integrity, and dedication saved many individuals by forming proper manners, respect for others, and true karate spirit. “Mori-sensei taught us that true commitment to dojo training helps karateka become better people who contribute to others.” Favorite Karate Quotes: Endurance is one of the most difficult disciplines, but it is to the one who endures that the final victory comes In the struggle between the stone and water, in time, the water wins |
SKDI Instructor Qualification: A- Class
Training since: 1980 JKA International Qualifications: Instructor: C Judge: D Examiner: C |
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Pete Erfani, 5th Dan
Peter joined the JKA of New York club in 1988 at encouragement of his brother Dr. G. Rod Erfani who had been a long time karate Instructor in Lexington - Kentucky. Being a student of the Master Masataka Mori was something he considered a privilege. Mori Sensei teachings and thoughts were for life. He emphasized that we should continually strive to improve ourselves. He taught that learning must be a path for advancement of humanity, and believed in the essence of learning and progress is in paying attention and acknowledging our mistakes. This is the essence of continuous effort of training or “Endeavoring“. Peter is grateful to have Takahashi-sensei leading us on that path. Favorite Karate Quotes: Mistakes have the power to turn you into something better than you were before. |
SKDI Instructor Qualification: A- Class
Training since: 1988 JKA International Qualifications: Instructor: C Judge: C Examiner: C |
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Noriko Furuhata, 5th Dan
Noriko met Master Masataka Mori-sensei in 1990 when she came to participate in the study abroad program at Stony Brook University. Since then, she has been his student and will always be a student of Master Mori-sensei. Meeting him was a life-changing experience. Noriko was born and grew up in Japan but never had any interest in karate. Her training began with Master Mori-sensei's karate classes as physical education courses at Stony Brook. Noriko also joined the university karate club led by Chuck Muller-sensei. Upon moving to New York City, Noriko became a member of the JKA New York dojo. Master Mori-sensei always emphasized the development of a human being through karate training and contributing to society. These are never-ending endeavors. Noriko feels fortunate that she can continue them under the instruction and guidance of Master ShuTakahash-sensei, who is embodying Mori-sensei's teachings. Favorite Karate Quotes: It will take your entire life to learn Karate; there is no limit. |
SKDI Instructor Qualification: A- Class
Training since: 1990 JKA International Qualifications: Instructor: C Judge: D Examiner: D |
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Jacob Levitt, 4th Dan
Jake started his 30-plus year karate journey at age 13, studying under Benjamin Evangelista-sensei. The latter gave his green belt to Jake upon passing the 6th kyu examination. After Evangelista-sensei's retirement, Jake studied under Michael Getlan-sensei and later joined the Master Mori-sensei's dojo in New York. Jake traveled from suburban Westchester to the Upper West Side of Manhattan with his mom, who would faithfully watch his progress. Jake continued his training but was never able to make karate the single focus of his life for more than a month or two at a time and wished for more sustained intense training. Nevertheless, karate has taught Jake how to explore the limits of his physical endurance with objectivity and the boundaries of his comfort level with danger. Karate reinforces his innate drive never to compromise on what defines excellence. Perhaps most importantly, it has given Jake a deep appreciation for the sacred student-teacher relationship that is so often lost in Western contexts. Jake is a medical doctor specializing in dermatology at the Icahn School of Medicine. He serves as professor and vice-chair of the Department of Dermatology. Favorite Karate Quotes: Practicing a kata is one thing, engaging in a real fight is another. |
SKDI Instructor Qualification: A- Class
Training since: 1987 JKA International Qualifications: Instructor: D Judge: D Examiner: D |
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Edgard Nau, 4th Dan
Ed began training during his senior year at Cornell University. Upon graduation in 1981, he returned home to Manhattan and immediately continued his training with Master Masataka Mori at the Japan Karate Association of New York.. Favorite Karate Quotes: For me, karate is a way of life. It has guided me in all of my challenges. My two favorite precepts of Master Gichin Funakoshi are "First control yourself before attempting to control others." and "Spirit first, technique second." |
SKDI Instructor Qualification: A- Class
Training since: 1981 JKA International Qualifications: Instructor: D Judge: D Examiner: D |
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Liviu Coleasa, 4th Dan
Li started training in the mid-1970s in his homeland of Romania, where karate-do remained officially banned through the 1980s. Dojos were prohibited. Even books were hard to find. Yet Li kept training karate underground as well as practicing judo and jujitsu which were allowed. Li trained with two pioneers of Romanian karate - Adrian Popescu Sacele-sensei and Dan Stuparu-sensei, both students of Ilija Iorga-sensei under ITKF Master Nishyama-sensei's organization. He also studied and practiced full-contact kickboxing and muaythai. In 2002, Li joined Master Mori-sensei dojo in New York. Favorite Karate Quotes: Karate ni sente nashi (There is no first attack in karate) |
SKDI Instructor Qualification: A- Class
Training since: 1975 JKA International Qualifications: Instructor: D Judge: D Examiner: D |
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Angel Badillo, 4th Dan
Angel's first karate experience started in 1976, at the tender age of 10, at a neighborhood dojo in upper Manhattan. In 1999, Angel joined SKDI under the direct supervision of Master Masataka Mori-sensei. Angel is a graduate of Master Mori-sensei's B and A instructors courses. Angel is continually seeking improvement of spirit, both physical and mental. He enjoys the benefits of teaching and training in the technical aspects of karate-do. Angel is fascinated with the cultural aspects of learning martial arts such as karate, which is not expressed in most western cultures or societies today. The lifelong challenges of karate-do have taught Angel to reach beyond limits and expectations, and to imagine, seek, and achieve higher objectives and goals. Angel believes the pursuit of self-knowledge is an essential message of Master Mori-sensei and an abiding source of encouragement and guidance. Angel is an information technology engineer for the United States courts, including the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York and the United States Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit. Favorite Karate Quotes: Constant Practice does make perfect, perfect practice, makes perfect. ~Kanazawa sensei. |
SKDI Instructor Qualification: A- Class
Training since: 1976 JKA International Qualifications: Instructor: D Judge: D Examiner: D |
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Joe Vincente, 4th Dan Joe started training in 1997 at JKA Montville at age 12 and continued through high school. During college he trained at the University of Connecticut and Karate Spirit near Storrs, CT. Since moving to NYC in 2007 he has been a member of the JKA NY dojo. He enjoys teaching everything from kickboxing and self-defense to youth karate classes to inspire the next generation of karate students. Karate is a unique way to build your mental discipline and strength of character through physical training. In karate we constantly push our physical limits to discover how much better we can do a punch, block, kick or strike. Mirroring this physical learning, we become more kind, more respectful, and better people even when faced with stress, conflict, and other challenges in our lives. After teaching high school chemistry for ten years, Joe has continued serving in the NYC public schools as an Assistant Principal. He continues to advocate for educational equity and access to STEM careers for all children. Favorite Karate Quote: Karate is like boiling water. If you do not heat it constantly, it will cool. |
SKDI Instructor Qualification: A- Class
Training since: 1997 JKA International Qualifications: Instructor: B Examiner: C Judge: B |
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Masataka Mori, 1932-2018
Chief Instructor JKA New York, 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 four grandchildren, Allison, Kimiko, Andrew, Natalie, and Alexa and Kaitlin. For information about our founding instructor, please visit our memoriam webpage: Tribute to Mori-sensei |
