Tsuruoka N.B. has been a member of KNB since it's incorporation as a style in 1979. Initially we were Chito-Ryu Karate, until Sensei Tsuruoka formed his style in 1979.

   Tsuroka Karate has been pioneered & led by Sensei Alcide Bourque since it's formation. Initially, as Chito-Ryu, Sensei Bourque was one of the founding fathers of Karate New Brunswick back in 1972, and remained as the Chief Instructor of Tsuruoka Karate within KNB until his departure for personal reasons a few years ago. Although Sensei Bourque has not been an active member of KNB for the past couple of years, he has been aptly represented by Sensei Dennis McLaughlin, a Sandan from Tracadie. Sensei McLaughlin has himself been an active member within the Association all his life and continues the Tsururoka tradition within New Brunswick. Although Sensei Bourque [Godan] has not been active within KNB, he still remains as the Sensei McLaughlins chief Instructor & technical support within the Province. With Sensei Truruoka [Founder of the NKA] always at their side, Tsuruoka Karate has flourished throughout the years & remains one of the standard styles within this country. For any additional information, please contact us at our dojo listing links .

THE PERSONAL HISTORY OF O SENSEI MASAMI TSURUOKA

   Born in Cumberland, B.C. in 1929 came a man who would discover Karate and introduce it to Canada. Being of Japanese decent would lead to his family's confinement in a Canadian internment camp. After the war he would travel with his family to live in Japan. On a trip to Tokyo this man would witness a demonstration by Dr. Chitose. He was so impressed that he would follow Dr. Chitose back to Kumamoto to begin a lifetime study in the art of Karate-do.

   After attaining the rank of Ni-dan in Chito-Ryu Karate-do in 1956 he returned to Canada. This time to Toronto, Ontario. In the same year, he began to introduce Karate at a Judo club and by 1958 had opened his own dojo. This would be the first Karate dojo in Canada from where Masami Tsuruoka taught Chito-Ryu. Soon after Dr. Chitose named Tsuruoka Chief Instructor of Chito-Ryu for Canada. In 1963 Tsuruoka organized the first Canadian Karate Tournament. This would lead to the formation of the NKA. This pioneer of Canadian Karate and the NKA has lead our government to recognize Tsuruoka as the Father of Canadian Karate.

   Tsuruoka was visited by his Sensei Dr. Chitose in 1962, 67 and 73. During the 70's, Tsuruoka was influenced by Shotokan and began to adopt the Shotokan katas into Chito-Ryu. The introduction of these katas lead to a change in the teachings of Chito-Ryu within Canada. This lead to Tsuruoka disassociating himself with Dr. Chitose in 1979 and establishing the Tsuruoka Karate Association with dojos all across Canada.

   Today, (8th dan) 0 Sensei Tsuruoka teaches out of his new dojo in Toronto when not conducting seminars across Canada or attending training camps in the USA. After 39 years of teaching, Tsuruoka shows no signs of trading in his gi for a good set of golf clubs.