A lifetime devoted to the true art of karate.
From Okinawa to Baltimore.
Sensei Kassama's journey on the mat began decades ago — and never stopped. Trained under direct Okinawan masters in the Shōrin-Ryū tradition, he has spent his life studying, refining, and now passing on the original karate as it was meant to be taught.
When he founded Kassama's Karate Studio in Baltimore, the mission was simple: give this city a real dojo. Not a franchise. Not a belt mill. A place where character is forged, where tradition is honored, and where every student — from the smallest Little Dragon to the most seasoned black belt — is treated like family.
Today, his students range from preschoolers to grandparents. Some come for fitness. Some come for self-defense. Some come because their child needs focus, or because they need it themselves. They all leave with something more than what they walked in with.
The Five Tenets We Train By
- 礼RespectFor self, for opponent, for the dojo.
- 道DisciplineShow up. Do the work. Always.
- 勇CourageFace what you fear, on and off the mat.
- 誠IntegrityBe the same person in every room.
- 克己Self-ControlMaster yourself before anything else.
- 名誉HonorCarry the dojo's name with you everywhere.
Lineage Matters
In martial arts, the chain of teacher-to-student is everything. What you'll learn here was passed down directly through the Okinawan tradition. Every form, every stance, every drill — preserved and taught with the precision it deserves.
