About Us
FSTKA, located in Jupiter, Florida, is an independent martial arts school teaching the original values and techniques of Shotokan Karate, as taught by its founder, Hanshi (master) Gichen Funakoshi.
While we are an independent organization, FSTKA is also a certified member of the Japan Shotokan Karate Association (JSKA), an international organization headquartered in Ciba and Tokyo, Japan. JSKA is one of the fastest-growing Traditional Karate organizations in the world with a total membership of more than 500,000 students and instructors and dojos (schools) in more than 70 countries around the world.
Our goal is to provide authentic and meaningful training and educational experiences for every student. We are dedicated to continuing the legacy of truth and integrity in our representation of traditional Shotokan karate. All of our instructors are internationally ranked and certified and, individually, have between 25 - 45 years of continuous training and teaching experience. We have been teaching in Palm Beach County for more than 25 years. After many years of relocating our school, due to rising rents, our dojo, now located in Jupiter Farms, Florida, was built (by the owner and Chief instructor) in 2003. We have been fortunate in our success as an independent dojo for more than 13 years.
FSTKA and JSKA and all of its affiliates are dedicated to upholding the honorable principles found in traditional martial arts, especially the principals established by Master Funakoshi's Dojo Kun (5 principles) and 20 precepts of Karate-Do. These philosophical concepts are the foundation of true karate training. While many other schools have chosen to abandon these valuable ideas, FSTKA is dedicated to the proper training and education of karate students in Florida. New member dojos and organizations are always welcome.
"The ultimate aim of Karate lies not in victory of defeat, but in the perfection of character of its participants." -Master Gichin Funakoshi
What is Karate?
“True Karate is this: that in daily life one's mind and body be trained and developed in a spirit of humility, and that in critical times, one be devoted utterly to the cause of justice.” — Gichin Funakoshi, Founder of Shotokan Karate-Do
Karate is a martial art—a method of unarmed combat—that incorporates a wide range of techniques including punches, kicks, blocks, strikes, throws, chokes, joint locks, and even bone-breaking techniques. But true Karate is much more than physical self-defense; it is a disciplined path toward personal growth and character development.
Karate practice is traditionally divided into three core elements:
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Kihon – the fundamentals or basic techniques
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Kata – structured forms or patterns of movement
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Kumite – sparring or partner practice
The word Karate-do is written with three Japanese characters. Literally, Karate means "empty hand", referring to a weaponless method of defense. The suffix “-Do” (pronounced “doe”) means “way” or “path.” Thus, Karate-do means "the way of the empty hand."
The addition of “-Do” transforms Karate from a system of physical techniques into a lifelong discipline. It shifts the focus beyond self-defense, emphasizing spiritual insight, self-control, and the cultivation of moral character. In traditional Karate-do, the true opponent is not another person—but the self. The ultimate aim is to perfect one’s character and to positively impact the lives of others through strength, compassion, and humility.
“The Samurai is the first to suffer anxiety for human society, and he is the last to seek personal pleasure.” — Morihei Ueshiba, Founder of Aikido
As Gichin Funakoshi once said, “The mind and the technique become one in true Karate-Do.” Our physical movements should be honest expressions of our intentions, just as our intentions are sharpened through the practice of physical technique. By refining our Karate, we are also refining our mind and spirit.
For instance, eliminating weakness or hesitation in our movements mirrors the work of eliminating fear and indecision in our thoughts—and vice versa. In this way, Karate becomes more than a martial art. It becomes a way of life, helping us strive to be strong yet kind, disciplined yet humble.
“We must be strong enough to express our true minds to any opponent, anytime, in any circumstance. We must be calm enough to express ourselves humbly.” — Tsutomu Ohshima, Chief Instructor, Shotokan Karate of America
What Makes Shotokan Karate Unique?
Shotokan Karate-Do is instantly recognizable by its powerful, linear techniques—direct punches, strong blocks, and dynamic kicks—executed from low, rooted stances. Shotokan places the highest emphasis on precise form, correct posture, and accurate joint alignment. Above all, it values the purity and perfection of basic technique.
In Shotokan, creativity and improvisation ("freelancing") are not prioritized. Instead, practitioners are expected to demonstrate disciplined execution of clearly defined movements, even under the most intense pressure. The goal is mastery through repetition: to perform each technique with clarity, control, and explosive power. This unwavering focus on fundamentals—down to the smallest detail—is what sets Shotokan apart from other martial arts styles.
What makes Shotokan particularly formidable is its integration of ancient Okinawan and Japanese training philosophies with modern sports science, including biomechanics and sports medicine. This fusion produces some of the most powerful and efficient striking methods in the martial arts world. Shotokan is often referred to as one of the most scientifically grounded and physically demanding martial arts systems in existence.
The Shotokan Philosophy: Simplicity, Precision, Power
At the heart of Shotokan is the belief that raw, refined technique is the key to success. One perfectly executed movement—so deeply internalized that it can be delivered as effortlessly as flipping a light switch—is more valuable than a dozen complicated maneuvers. This is especially critical in real combat scenarios, where multiple attackers may be involved and time is limited. In such moments, getting entangled in grappling exchanges or overly elaborate counters is not practical.
In Shotokan, each technique is trained to maximum efficiency, with the belief that "less is more" in combat. Strong, simple, decisive movements win—physically, mentally, and emotionally.
The Shotokan Fighter’s Approach
When attacking, a Shotokan practitioner moves directly and decisively forward with straight punches or kicks, often accompanied by sweeps at the ankle to off-balance the opponent. The emphasis is on overwhelming force and efficiency, leaving no room for the opponent to recover.
When defending, the Shotokan expert rarely retreats. Instead, they may sidestep slightly to flank, or more often, deliver a preemptive counter-strike to neutralize the threat before it fully develops. Shotokan teaches that defense is best achieved through offense—ending the confrontation before it escalates.
Though Shotokan may appear simple in form, the depth of training required to master even a few techniques is profound. These movements are honed to the point where they become second nature—instinctive, precise, and devastatingly effective.
Instructors
Sensei J. Frederic Bonomo
Sensei J. Frederic Bonomo holds the rank of 5th Dan (degree) Black Belt and serves as the Chief Instructor of the Florida Shotokan Traditional Karate Association (FSTKA). His martial arts journey began in 1972 in Providence, Rhode Island, and spans more than 40 years of training, teaching, and competition in cities such as Washington, D.C., Miami, Baltimore, Philadelphia, and New York City. He now leads his own dojo in Jupiter, Florida.
Fred holds an Associate’s degree in Liberal Arts from Roger Williams University, a Bachelor’s degree in Music from both the University of Rhode Island and Rhode Island College, and a Master’s degree in Performing Arts from Florida Atlantic University. He is currently a Doctoral Candidate in good standing at Florida Atlantic University’s College of Arts and Letters, where his research focuses on the comparative values of the arts, including martial arts.
In addition to his accomplishments in education and the martial arts, Sensei Fred enjoyed a distinguished 25-year career in commercial banking and financial investments, retiring as a Vice President of a major national bank.
Sensei Errol Mahoney
Sensei Errol Mahoney holds the rank of 5th Dan (degree) Black Belt and serves as the Technical Director of the Florida Shotokan Traditional Karate Association (FSTKA) in Jupiter, Florida.
He earned his first three Dan ranks from the Japan Karate Association (JKA) while stationed in Japan with the U.S. Air Force, where he trained under Shihan Kawamoto, 7th Dan and former JKA Technical Director. During his service, Sensei Errol served as Chief Instructor of the Air Force Shotokan Karate Dojo at Yokota Air Force Base from 1991 to 1993.
A seasoned and accomplished competitor, Sensei Errol has participated in numerous tournaments, including the 4th World Shoto Cup in Japan. He consistently placed in the top three categories and was a first-place winner in both individual and team kumite at the JKS Funchu City Tournaments in Japan.
In 2002, he was promoted to 4th Dan by JKA in the United States. Over the years, he has taught and trained at various locations including Walton Beach, the University of South Florida (Tampa), and the South Atlantic Karate Association Headquarters in Ft. Lauderdale, before establishing his own dojo in Jupiter, Florida.
In addition to his martial arts career, Sensei Errol holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Mechanical Engineering from the University of South Florida and an Associate of Arts Degree from the University of Maryland. Professionally, he serves as Director of OEM Product Engineering and Sales for a company in West Palm Beach, Florida, where he oversees system design, project development, and testing for reciprocating and turbine engine ignition systems.
Gichin Funakoshi
Gichin Funakoshi, the founder of Shotokan Karate, was born in Shuri, Okinawa in 1868. As a young boy, he studied under two of the most renowned martial arts masters of the time. From Yasutsune Azato, he learned Shuri-te, and from Yasutsune Itosu, he studied Naha-te. The fusion of these two distinct Okinawan styles would later form the foundation of what we now know as Shotokan Karate.
Funakoshi-sensei is credited with introducing karate to mainland Japan. In 1917, he was invited to demonstrate his martial art at a physical education exhibition sponsored by Japan’s Ministry of Education. He was invited again in 1922, and later for a third time—this time for a special performance before the Emperor and the Imperial Family. After this historic demonstration, Funakoshi chose to remain in Japan to teach, refine, and promote karate as a disciplined art form.
He passed away in 1957 at the age of 88, leaving behind a profound legacy. In addition to founding Shotokan Karate and sharing it with the world, Funakoshi was a prolific author. His works include the seminal text "Ryukyu Kempo: Karate-do", the comprehensive technical manual "Karate-Do Kyohan", and his reflective autobiography "Karate-Do: My Way of Life".
These writings—and the global practice of Shotokan Karate—stand as a testament to the vision, humility, and lifelong dedication of this gentle, unassuming master.
Abe Sensei
Abe Sensei was born on October 28, 1938, in the town of Iyoshi, located in Ehime Prefecture on the island of Shikoku. He began his karate journey at the age of 15 (in 1953), training at his middle school’s karate club under the guidance of an Okinawan instructor from Toyama Sensei’s Shito-Ryu Karate-Do lineage.
At 18 (in 1956), Abe Sensei was accepted into the prestigious engineering program at Nihon University in Tokyo. Leaving behind his small hometown, he moved to the capital to pursue his higher education. It was during this time that he also began training at the legendary Japan Karate Association (J.K.A.) Honbu Dojo, under the instruction of a young and powerful Sensei named Masatoshi Nakayama—a pivotal figure in the development of modern Shotokan Karate.