The Aiki Te Ryu Karate™ Kai is a traditional system of martial arts formed to practice, preserve and teach the methods as taught by Steven M. Franz Kyoshi and founder of the system. It is system of Karate-Do open to anyone with a genuine interest in learning traditional martial arts.

The ATRKK was established in 1992 and has it Honbu Dojo (Headquarters) located in Bryan, Ohio. By forming their own association, Franz Kyoshi and his black belts distanced the system from many of the political ideologies taking place in the martial arts. The main purpose of the system is teach quality and professional martial arts through a ever growing system and curriculum. Franz Kyoshi was now able to focus on teaching traditional martial arts to help his students without the outside influences disturbing the development of the Aiki Te Ryu Karate Kai. By doing this it enable Franz Kyoshi to continue training and developing an effective and great system of Karate-Do. Franz Kyoshi was now able to focus on the essence of Karate-Do, which is training and personal development.

Karate is a form of self defense that does not use weapons. Students learn to use their entire body as weapon and defend themselves through the application of physics and body movement to generate great physical strength in their techniques. It is fun to learn and instills many great skills to develop a more peaceful and successful way of life.

Master Franz is currently a licensed Grand Master in the martial arts having earned his 8th Degree black belt in 2007. He has been awarded with three distinct titles in as an instructor which include Kyoshi, Shihan and Shodai Soke. A Kyoshi license means that the instructor is enlightened with knowledge and recognized as a master in his martial art. The Shodai Soke title gave Franz Kyoshi the right to develop and refine his own system of martial arts based on his knowledge and 30 plus years of experience training in a myriad of martial ways. Although Franz Shihan is considered a Grand Master, he considers himself a student of the arts rather than anything else. This evident through his own training and hard work at helping to keep traditional martial arts alive in the advent of sport systems popping up all over the world today.

AIKI TE RYU KARATE KAI - The inside of the system...

The system, or Ryu (Family) as it is known in Japanese we study is called Aiki Te Ryu Karate Kai. Aiki Te Ryu translates to mean "Harmonious Fist Family" and by applying the terms Karate and Kai the full representation means "The Empty Hand Way of Harmony through Justice Association".

Aiki Te Ryu Karate Kai was not necessarily a developed system, or at least it never began this way. When Franz Kyoshi first began teaching on his own in 1992 he realized that it was best to combine the knowledge of the various martial arts he attained training in to teach more well rounded system for his students. ATRKK consists of eight major styles of martial arts, all of which Franz Kyoshi has attained master level abilities in. These styles include Moo Duk Kwan and Ji Do Kwan Tae Kwon Do, Goju Ryu Karate, Shaolin Kung Fu, Aikido, Judo, Muay Thai and American Kenpo. We have aspects of each system included in our training levels from white belt to master level black belt.

As an "eclectic" martial art many sensei would argue that we actually are not a traditional system; however those training soon realize that we maintain the traditions and etiquette of the traditional martial arts in our teachings. ATRKK has deep honor system and follows the original teachings of the Dai Nippon Budo Kai in manners and levels of requirements. In many ways ATRKK is much more traditional than some "modern" traditional martial arts.

Our training methods are modern and exciting focusing on proper technique, application and development of each student. Students will grasp a deeper understanding of both their abilities as well as of their way of life. You will find the classes formal and ran much the way most people imagine a "real" karate program to be. When properly applied, students of all ages and both sexes can gain real life experience as well as immense satisfaction from the training.

Aiki Te Ryu Karate™ is a registered trademark to Steven M. Franz. Use of the name and any logos, curriculum, concepts, philosophies and ideas without permission are punishable by federal law. Only authorized representatives of the Aiki Te Ryu Karate Kai Honbu Dojo are permitted to teach, instruct or oversee courses in this martial art. By trade marking the name we are attempting to keep the instruction licensed, honorable and taught according to our high standards of excellence.