修道館 Shūdōkan literally means “Hall where the way (of karate) is studied.” It is a style of karate, and it isn’t.

The art of Shudokan Karate has been taught by the American Shudokan Association (ASA) under the leadership of the late Hanshi Morris Mack of the Yakima School of Karate. The ASA, with over 15,000 members in the Pacific Northwest, was founded by the late Walter Todd and Morris Mack in the 1980s. Walter Todd was a student under Yoko Takahashi who was a direct student of Kanken Toyama. Later, Kanken Toyama appointed Walter Todd as Shibu-cho (Branch Director) for the U.S., authorizing him to rank students in Shudokan (Toyama-Style) karate and direct the development of Shudokan in America. NSK  began operation in Nampa in 2004 under the leadership of Benjamin Kincheloe Sensei.

Andrew Mecham Sensei began his study of karate in 1993.  He competed nationally in the sport karate circuit for several years and completed his black belt in Shito-Ryu karate at the age of 16, which was when he first began instructing karate.  He began his training in Shudokan at the age of 30 under Benjamin Kincheloe Sensei, and earned his belt under the American Shudokan Association as well. He continues his studies regularly and shares the knowledge he can with any who care to learn.  He has trained and continues to train with several prominent martial artists, and incorporates a practical approach to karate instruction.  In 2022 Andy began training more closely with Michael Killingstad, Shihan 8th Dan.  Shihan Michael trained under many prominent members of the American Shudokan Association and also trained directly with the founder of Doshinkan, Isao Ichikawa, as well as his brother Nobuo Ichikawa. Both Shihan Michael and Andy view karate as evolving and dynamic. They strive to focus on combative and practical uses for the art and the forms (kata) that have been developed to preserve it.  After training for some time together Killingstad Shihan promoted Andy to Sandan (3rd Dan).   

History and politics can often sour a person any organization, particularly in martial arts where titles and ranks become almost cultish. This is not lost at NSK.  We belive there are many "correct" ways to perform a technique and there can be many meanings to the kata through which karate is transmitted.  One instructor may view a technique in a very different way than another, even within the same "style" of karate.  What instructors taugh 100 years ago is still relevant, but it is not set in stone.  One instructor may have a higher rank than another, but that alone does not make what they teach "correct."  Karate was handed down to be built upon, not rested on.  NSK focuses on the practical application of Karate with the understanding that the "art" was used to teach a science.  We focus on being effective in movement and less on being fancy.  Karate, while it has fantastic benefits for physical and mental health, was created as a combative system of self defense and we view it as such. Therefore, as violence can evolve with the times, Karate must also.

We hope you enjoy your time with us in learning and understanding Okinawa Seito Karate-do.