United States Matsubayashi-Ryu Karate-Do Federation (USMKF)

The United States Matsubayashi-Ryu Karate-Do Federation (USMKF) was approved by Sōke Shōshin Nagamine in 1989 and originally operated under the umbrella of the World Matsubayashi-Ryu (Shorin-Ryu) Karate-Do Association (WMKA), with Hanshi Mike Ritter serving as the founding President. Shihan Geoffrey Gaudoin currently serves as President of the organization. Today, the USMKF operates as an independent Matsubayashi-Ryu federation.

Lineage & Tradition

Lineage is important in traditional Okinawan karate because it identifies the teaching tradition passed from instructor to instructor. Matsubayashi-Ryu was founded in Okinawa by Grandmaster Shōshin Nagamine. His son, Sōke Takayoshi Nagamine, later succeeded him in the leadership of Matsubayashi-Ryu.

Hanshi Mike Ritter trained directly under Grandmaster Shōshin Nagamine and Master Takayoshi Nagamine. Shihan Geoffrey Gaudoin has trained under Hanshi Mike Ritter for more than 40 years and trained multiple times with Master Takayoshi Nagamine, establishing a direct connection to the founding family and teaching tradition of Matsubayashi-Ryu.

Affiliated Dojos