W.T.F.S.K.F. - Soke DEL SAITO
 
Soke DEL SAITO 10 DAN
Founder of Traditional Karate-do Federation International
and Saito-ha Shito-ryu 

Del Saito, was born in 1948, in the town of Wailuku, Maui.

As a young boy he began training in the art of Judo, under the instructons of Sensei Palimo. A year later he began Karate training with Sensei Al Kahalekulu, a student of Sensei Tommy Morita, who studied under Dr. Tsuyoshi Chitose Soke of Kumamoto, Japan. In the early ‘70s he studied with Sensei Chuzo Kotaka, a student of Sensei Genryu Kimura and Shogo Kuniba Soke. After several years serving as Sensei Kotaka’s National Director, Saito began to learn Seito Shito-ryu from Master Kenzo Mabuni, the son of Kenwa Mabuni, founder of Shito-ryu.

Del Saito is one of the most highly respected Karate instructors today, and his expertise in Shito-ryu Karate-do has made a great impact on many Karate practitioners throughout the world. Saito Soke continues his martial arts journey as a committed leader who doesn’t allow politics to influence his teaching philosophy of Karate-do to all those that seek his guidance.

Saito was presented the Hanshi degree from Kenzo Soke, the highest teaching title of his style. He was also given permission by Kenzo Mabuni to continue his understanding of Shito-ryu while providing him with a direct line to him. For many years Saito served as National Director for the International Karate Federation of Hawaii, and National Executive Director for Karate for the Amateur Athletic Union of the United States. Inducted into the International Karate Hall of Fame in 1994, he has also won numerous awards for his leadership and dedication in martial arts as well as for other sports. In addition, Del Saito has credentials in film choreographing and organizes several Karate Championships each year.

Forty-five years of teaching Karate has led to a strong traditionalist approach with an openness to new ideas and concepts for growth. Teaching Karate for more than technique, he attempts to help people find themselves, to discover their creativity and their capacity for overall growth through Karate. He believes that there is much growth in each person and sees his purpose as that of nourishing the seed so that his student’s potential may be reached. His understanding of Karatedo is to preserve the true essence of the art by maintaining a committed spirit to preserve human decency with Godliness, honesty, trustworthiness, humility, understanding, compassion bravery, fairness, discipline and commitment.

Saito Soke lives in the beautiful city of Grants Pass, where he maintains the honbu dojo for his International organization. He attributes his success to his faith in God, the leadership of his Shihan Kai, the Grants Pass business community and close friends and family throughout the world.”

“Karate-do is a special vehicle that can help restore the positive values of our world and Karate practitioners can have a great impact for the betterment of mankind.”

Del Saito, Saito-ha Shito-ryu Soke, is one of the most highly respected karate-do instructors today. His expertise in Shito-Ryu Karate-do has made a great impact on many karate-ka throughout the world.
Saito began his martial arts training at an early age in on the North Shore of oahu, Hawaii.
Del Saito received his karate training from Soke Kenzo Mabuni (Seito Shito-ryu), Sensei Chuzo Kotaka (Kotaka-ha Shito-ryu), and Sensei Al Kahalekulu (Chito-ryu).

In 1990 and again in 2004, he was presented the AAU's Outstanding Service and Leadership Award. In addition, Del Saito Sensei serves on the AAU National Executive Committee as the National Executive Director. He is also the AAU Governor for Oregon.

Awarded the Most Outstanding Instructor Award, Del Saito also has been honored with the Hanshi (Master Instructor) title by Kenzo Mabuni Soke. So impressed was Soke Mabuni with Del Saito’s Karate-do knowledge and organizational skills that he gave his blessing to pursue the vision of Shito-ryu independently, without the constraint of any of his personal organizations. Del Saito is the only instructor that Kenzo Mabuni Soke allowed to be independent.

And so, as Del Saito approached his 60th birthday, he felt it was time to initiate his own ha, the Saito-ha Shito-ryu Karate-do. By doing so, he is also making a commitment to endure struggles that leads to excellence. No doubt, the path ahead will be challenging, however the encouragements and support reassures him that his decision to begin his own ha is prudent.

Over forty years of teaching karate has lead to a strong traditionalist approach with an openness to new ideas and concepts for growth. Teaching karate for more than technique, he attempts to help people find themselves, to discover their creativity and their capacity for overall growth through karate-do. He believes that there is much growth in each person and sees his purpose as that of nourishing the seed so that his student's potential may be reached.


TRAINING EXPERIENCE

  • Kodokan judo in Hawaii, 1961 - 1962
  • Chitose-Ryu Karate-Do, Hawaii, 1962 - 1974
  • Kotaka-Ha Shito-Ryu, 1974 - 1999
  • Eishin-Ryu Iaijutsu, 1996 to present
  • Seito Shito-ryu, 1998 to present
  • Saito-ha Shito-ryu, launched in June 2008

ORGANIZATION AFFILIATIONS

  • Member of the AAU National Executive Committee, 2002 - 2004
  • Director & Chief Examiner of Shito-Ryu, Traditional Karate-do Organization, 2000 - present
  • AAU Region 12 Director, 1987 to 1989; 1995 to present
  • AAU National Treasurer, 1989 - to 2000
  • AAU Secretary Treasurer, August 1998 to 2000
  • Oregon AAU Karate Chairman, 1989 to July 1993, July 1994 to present
  • Oregon AAU Martial Arts Chairman. 1992 to present
  • Oregon AAU Vice Chairman, 1992 - July 1993
  • Oregon AAU President, July 1993 to 2004
  • Member of the Nihon Karate-Do Kai, 2000 to present
  • Member of Nippon Kobudo Jikishin Kai-USA 2000 to present
  • National AAU Karate Executive Director, 2000 to present
  • Director, Del Saito's Martial Arts Training Center, 2000 to Present
  • Oregon District Governor, September 2004 to present
  • Governor's representative for Zones C & D and member of the National AAU Board of Directors, 2006 to present
  • Dento Karate-do Rengo Kai, launched June 2008
  • Technical Advisor of the World Traditional Fudokan Shotokan Karate-Do Federation 2014 to Present
  • Member of the Committee for Awarding Degrees and Titles of the World Traditional Fudokan Shotokan Karate Do Federation 2014 to Present

COMMUNITY AFFILIATIONS

  • Past Board Member of the Grants Pass Family YMCA
  • Director of WAG (Wipe Away Graffiti)
  • Past Board Member, Crime Stoppers of Josephine County
  • President, Grants Pass Asian Cultural Society, 2001 to present
  • Member of Grants Pass Elks Lodge, 2006 to present

AWARDS

  • North Shore's 'Man of the Year' Award, 1969
  • National IKF Outstanding Instructor Award, 1986
  • National AAU Outstanding Service Award, 1990
  • Oregon AAU Leadership Award, 1990
  • AAU Rookie Newsletter Editor of the Year, 1994
  • Inducted into the International Karate Hall of Fame, 1994
  • AAU Communication Award, 1995
  • Inducted into the AAU Hall of Fame as 'Man of the Year', 1997
  • Recipient of the 'Ten-Year Service' award, 1997
  • Inducted into the AAU Hall of Fame as 'Instructor of the Year', 1999
  • President's National Leadership award, 1997
  • President's National Leadership award, 2004

BOOKS

  • Karate-Do, The Way of Shito-Ryu, By Del Saito 1991, ISBN 0-9631274-0-3
  • Karate For the Modern Warrior - Coming Soon!
   

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