Karate on Okinawa

Shodai Jay Trombley studied traditional Shoreikan Goju-Ryu under Master Seikichi Toguchi from 1955-1960 while serving with a recon unit in the U.S. Marine Corps stationed on Okinawa, Japan.

His training involved 4-5 hour sessions 5-6 days a week in a traditional Okinawan dojo. The dojo was open to the elements, as most were at this time, and the training was severe.

No English was spoken and discipline was strongly enforced. His expertise in Okinawan Goju-Ryu also includes a thorough schooling of traditional weapons which he acquired from Master Hohan Soken.

Upon returning to the United states Shodai taught karate in Jacksonville Beach, Florida where he also trained with boxing trainer Jackie Simpson.

In 1970 he moved to Fort Worth, Texas and three years later founded Ketsugo (United) Goju-Ryu. While Ketsugo Goju-Ryu retains all of the tradition and kata of Goju-Ryu, Shodai has developed and incorporated many of his own kata, self-defense, and training routines.

For over 40 years Shodai Jay Trombley has dedicated his life to teaching and training of karate-ka, and the development of Ketsugo Goju-Ryu.

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