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"Shudokan" means, "the school where you learn the way of life".
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We are dedicated to preserving and learning the techniques of Goju-ryu karate which developed in Okinawa, Japan - the birthplace of karate.
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Our dojo is a family. Here, you will go beyond learning to punch and kick. We teach traditional karate at our dojo, which prioritizes character development and self-improvement for complete mind and body training.
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Come see the difference at Shudokan Family Karate Centre!
Our History
Sensei Marinow with Nakamura Sensei and Genaro Sensei, 1998
Photo courtesy of Genaro Sensei
Sensei Vic
All instructor photos (C) Roman Boldyrev
Shudokan shares much of its history with the Canadian branch of the International Okinawan Goju-ryu Karate-do Federation (IOGKF Canada), both of which were established by Sensei Jim Marinow in 1993. Back then, the dojo was called Okinawa Karate Club and shared its space with a ballet school.
Nakamura Sensei joined IOGKF Canada in 1997 as its Technical Advisor after staying in the USA as an instructor and private student for several years. He went back to Japan for a brief period, during which time Sensei Marinow resigned and gave the dojo to his senior student, Sensei Victor Mangialardo, in 2001. Sensei Vic served as dojo head and IOGKF Canada Chief Instructor for two years.
Nakamura Sensei was appointed Chief Instructor of IOGKF Canada in 2003 and took over the dojo from Sensei Vic, who stayed on as the senior instructor. Nakamura Sensei moved the location of the dojo and changed the name from O.K.C. to Shudokan Family Karate Centre.
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The name “Shudokan” has a double meaning: Shu translates to learning, and the full name literally means “school where you learn the way of life”. The character for Shu is also taken from Aragaki Sensei’s first name, Shuichi, and pays tribute to Nakamura Sensei’s first master and mentor.
Shudokan moved location for the final time in 2011 to its current location on Harvester Road.