Traditional Karate Center - Matawan Gojukan

I highly recommend the Traditional Karate Center for all ages. Shihan Buttermark’s experienced professional teachings encompasses learning, respect, understanding and lots of fun. He is wonderful with children and adults of all ages and very organized with keeping parents and students in tuned with event/scheduling updates. I am very proud to be part of TKC’s family.

Thank you Traditional Karate Center - Matawan Gojukan and Shihan Michael Buttermark for the dedication to my son's growth and success under your tutelage for the past 3 years. While I was apprehensive of JR's karate journey initially, I realize now it is the best thing we could have done for our son. The happiness, the milestones, the friendships, and the support JR has received, have been lifechanging.. Our son is autistic and never took to any other sports.. Karate is where he has flourished and thrived. Highly recommend for all typical and special needs individuals!!

The only Karate dojo in my area where I can trust my kids with. I trained in Shotokan Karate since 1981 and I used to teach in the Philippines and in NYC. Since my day job prevents me from teaching my kids and professionally, I needed to find a great dojo for my boys and not just another belt factory or McDojo. Luckily, I discovered Shihan Buttermark whose pedigree in Goju-ryu Karate-do is impeccable. His classes are fun but not too light-hearted... Serious fun.
He doesn't focus only on sport kumite but covers all areas of Goju-kai, including bunkai, conditioning and self-defense. If you live within (or close to) the Old Bridge/Matawan area and are looking for great traditional karate-do, look no further than TKC.

TKC - Traditional Karate Center – Matawan Gojukan – OCT. 2019
Pros: Positive atmosphere, it truly feels like family, high quality Goju-Ryu Karate-do techniques, very educational, high level of discipline and extremely safe!
Cons: The high passion for Karate will always show and sometimes your child might be invited to stay longer than the regular classes. This situation might be found negative for people who have a tight schedule.
My son started to do Karate last August 2018 at the age of five. They have a great program “Samurai” for young kids.
Long story short, within couple of months, my boy was promoted to the regular IKGA program, and invited to be part of the dojo competition Olympic Team. In less than a year, he was able to win his first National Bronze Medal in Kumite (six-year-old division.) They were eight athletes from our Dojo, and all of them got at least one medal. They brought home 16 medals in total out of 22 divisions entered.
The students are having fun, while improving their karate skills. They are being taught discipline, while creating strong livelong relationships (they consider each other brothers and sisters in karate.) I highly recommend this Dojo for anyone: kids, teens, or adults. Shihan Buttermark is simply a great teacher and great person!

I highly recommend TKC - Matawan for their great services! I have both my kids enrolled there (6 and 4 years old) and they’re always looking forward to their Karate class. Shihan Buttermark does a wonderful job with the kids, his classes are so much fun and they actually learn accurate and professional Karate techniques. The family feeling to the Dojo is also unmatched! Great place to sign up your kids at and know they’re in good hands.