“Goju Ryu is pure Karate –No whistles and bells– and Sensei Franco Sanguinetti teaches the full spectrum of the martial arts, enabling me to be the best I can be”.

“When I decided to train in the martial arts, I searched for six months trying different styles and schools. I was looking for a challenging as well as a traditional martial art. My search took me to many schools and styles. I decided to train with Sensei Franco at the Bushikan Karate Dojo because the quality of instruction, facilities and other students were the best I came across. Sensei Franco’s passion for martial arts comes across in his teaching and always inspires me to push myself to do my best. Since I began my training at Bushikan one year ago, I have noticed a marked improvement in my ability to focus as well as improved agility, balance and strength”.

“Bushikan Dojo offers a physical and mental challenge coupled with a sense of purpose and tradition that is unmatched in San Diego County”.

“My son Pierce has become much more disciplined and respectful since he has enrolled in the Bushikan Karate Dojo. He never wants to miss a class.”

“My son and daughter have both grown strength wise and mentally. Karate has been great to keep them active along with making them more confident in public settings”.

“Our daughter started studying at the Bushikan Karate Dojo with Sensei Franco during kindergarten as part of the curriculum of Discovery Isle. After kindergarten she stopped her lessons for about a year and a half. At this time there were several incidents in the news where adults had hurt local children. These incidents bothered my daughter and she requested to study Karate again. The martial art taught by Sensei Franco is not for people who want to teach their kids how to “beat up” somebody. Sensei Franco strives to develop the spiritual and mental side of Karate as well as the physical. I believe that this type of development is better for the real worth in that hopefully dangers can be recognized and avoided rather than simply met. Sensei Franco teaches in a traditional method where the ranks are earned and not given away. This means that most children have the same “belt ranking” for at least a year. If you are the type of person that measures progress by external factors then you would not be satisfied with this traditional method. If you are the type that measures your progress internally, against yourself, then you will thrive with this method. I believe that teaching people to measure themselves by their own standards will also help in life”.

“Our children have responded to Sensei Franco’s Karate in many positive ways that we never imagined at the outset of joining the program. While we started out looking for an early approach to simulating motor skills development and focusing of energy, we found so much more. First and foremost is the set of positive values that span all aspects of their lives: respect for teachers, self and others; consideration and caring for others; and high self-esteem deeply rooted in continuous development of skills, knowledge, and interpersonal interaction, confrontation and physical capability. And all this is in the setting of a friendly, fun and caring environment. We are very pleased to have become a part of the program and the people.”

“I cannot even begin to express the deep gratitude that I have for Sensei Franco and his deep understanding of not only the technique of martial arts, but also more importantly, the spirit behind the art. He truly is a modern day master and is as humble as he is skilled. Sensei Franco is a great teacher and mentor for anyone interested in practicing traditional martial arts. I have learned much from him in spirit and technique and am very thankful for having him as my Sensei.”

“While I was a student at Mira Costa Community College I enrolled in a Self-Defense for Women class that Sensei Sanguinetti was teaching. At the age of 51 I took my first self-defense class. After four classes, I yearned to learn more about the Martial Arts. After that class I visited the Bushikan Dojo almost six years ago and have never left. Sensei Sanguinetti is an accomplished martial artist and superb chief instructor. The philosophy and traditions of the Martial Arts are alive at the Bushikan Dojo. Despite my age, bouts with arthritis, and other medical problems, I am now an assistant instructor at the dojo and I am honored by the position. Sensei Sanguinetti’s teachings have impacted me in numerous ways. I am more active, aware, and stronger than I have ever been in my life. Following the path of the Martial Arts with Sensei Sanguinetti has taught me to live in the present and savor every moment”.

“Having lived for many years in the birthplace of Karate; Okinawa, Japan, I can assure you that no one epitomizes the true meaning of traditional Karate like Sensei Franco Sanguinetti and the Bushikan Karate Dojo. My 10 year-old son has trained with Sensei Franco in both Karate and Kobudo for over 5 years and I can honestly say that without Sensei Franco my son would not be the very accomplished karate-ka that he is today”.

“At 48 years old, 316 lbs., asthmatic, near high blood pressure and 5’11” tall, I was not the picture of health by any stretch of the imagination. I visited Sensei Franco at the Bushikan Dojo with my 7-year-old son who had expressed interest in Karate. My son decided to take Karate with Sensei through La Costa Meadows School with his classmates, and later joined the Bushikan Dojo where he is a full time student. Oddly enough, I found myself taking the free trial for a week and joining right away.

Sensei was extremely cautious with my health, only allowing me to gradually build up to where I could attend a full 2-hour class. My fellow students were beyond encouraging and didn’t make fun of my lack of physical ability. Instead they helped me to learn the techniques, taught me how to stretch to avoid injuries and gave me the confidence to try my best at each step of the way.

By the end of the first year, I no longer had high blood pressure and had dropped 50 lbs. in weight through regular Dojo practice. As I enter my second year, another 20 lbs. have dropped, and I’ve made more friends in this “family” of people than all the people I’ve met in my entire life.

It is said that a “Dojo” is a place where we find our way in life ~ this is true of Bushikan. There are not enough words, nor space with which to write the appropriate accolades about Sensei or “our” Dojo. The only way to understand and appreciate what is here is to come and experience it. I look forward to your visit at our Dojo and to become a Doshi (fellow student)”.

“Dear Sanguinetti Sensei:
Thank you for another wonderful seminar. I am grateful that you are so free with your knowledge. I feel I learn as much about being a good teacher as I do about Kobudo. Thank you for sharing your knowledge with me!”

“Sensei:
I just want to thank you for another great training experience. I greatly enjoy how you teach a whole experience: technique, application, history. It is a very rare thing you do.”

“Sanguinetti Sensei:
I would like to thank you again for the great gasshuku you gave here in Mandurah. It was real inspiring. It inspired me to train harder and the intensity of three days hard training also re-inspired my karate as well.
I look forward to train with you again in the future.”

“Sensei Franco:
Thank you very much for conducting the Australian Gasshuku in Mandurah! Even though my body was sore my mind was filled with a greater sense of understanding the art of kobudo. The three of us have a renewed enthusiasm for training – thank you.”

Training at Bushikan has rolled back the clock – I feel decades younger, stronger, and more alive, with mobility I thought I’d lost forever.

I have been involved in martial arts since the 1980s and achieved 4th Dan in Okinawan Kobudo before meeting Sensei Franco Sanguinetti in 2007. At that pivotal moment, I realized how much I still had to learn about Matayoshi Kobudo. Sensei Sanguinetti’s teachings revealed intricate details and principles that had been absent from my previous training, reshaping my understanding of the art.

Now, well into the 2020s, his instruction continues to enrich my practice, and my proficiency in Matayoshi Kobudo has grown exponentially. Being part of the MKKI family has allowed me to train alongside exceptional martial artists from around the world, all sharing a commitment to excellence and respect for the tradition.

Although our Dojo in the UK is geographically distant from the Honbu Dojo, this has never hindered our progress. Sensei Sanguinetti’s teachings transcend borders, ensuring that every student, regardless of location, benefits from his vast knowledge and exceptional guidance.

What truly sets the MKKI apart is its welcoming, family-like atmosphere. There is no politics—only mutual respect and a shared passion for the art. Sensei Sanguinetti treats each of us as part of a large, supportive family.

Whether you are a student or Sensei seeking to study what I consider a superior system of Kobudo, I wholeheartedly encourage you to contact him. You will not regret taking that step!

It is with great pride and admiration that I speak about my daughter’s incredible journey in her Karate training at the Bushikan Karate Dojo, where she has been dedicatedly practicing the Okinawa style for the past three years. From the very first day she stepped onto the dojo floor, it was clear that this path was not just about learning martial arts, but also about shaping her character, instilling discipline, and fostering an unshakable sense of perseverance.

 Over the years, I have witnessed my daughter grow not only as a martial artist but also as a person. Her commitment to the Bushikan dojo has taught her invaluable lessons that go far beyond physical techniques. Through hard work, respect, and consistency, she has gained strength and confidence that reflect the principles of Karate: to defend oneself, to respect others, and to continually strive for self-improvement.

 What has impressed me the most is her dedication to both the art and the dojo’s traditions. She has embraced the Okinawan philosophy that underlies the Karate techniques, learning not only the moves but also the deeper meaning behind each practice. Her respect for her sensei’s, fellow students, and the traditions of Bushikan has only grown stronger with time.

 As a parent, I am deeply grateful for the positive influence the dojo has had on her life. The lessons she has learned are shaping her into a young individual with resilience, respect, and a strong sense of responsibility. The skills she has developed—physically, mentally, and emotionally—are qualities that will serve her well beyond the dojo.

 Thank you to the Bushikan Karate Dojo for providing such a positive environment where my daughter can grow, learn, and thrive. I look forward to seeing her continue her journey, both in Karate and in life, with the same determination and passion that she has shown over the past three years.

I have been training Matayoshi Kobudo with Sanguinetti Sensei for nearly 30 years. In my experience, you won’t find a more traditional organization or knowledgeable instructor. Sanguinetti Sensei has not only helped me grow technically as a martial artist but has also given me a deeper understanding of Japanese terminology, tradition, and Budo. Sensei is generous with his knowledge and creates a family environment within the organization. He provides a wealth of opportunities to train in the U.S. and abroad. If you are serious about your training and are looking for a way to grow in the martial arts, consider Bushikan and the MKKI.

It is always such a pleasure to train with you.  I am impressed with the way you convey the Matayoshi Kobudo curriculum, but even more of interest to me is the way you teach.  I find you to be a model Sensei.  You maintain the highest integrity. To me, you are the sort of person that martial training is supposed to produce.

Thank you for your friendship and for all you do. Affectionately,

To both, Franco Sensei and Chrisan Sensei.
I want to thank you for everything over the years, for teaching me and changing my life entirely. Thank you for the family you’ve created among the Dojo. Thank you, Sensei and Chrisan Sensei.

I have been taking 1-on-1 Kobudo lessons, and the quality of instruction is nothing short of exceptional. The personalized attention allows for detailed corrections and tailored guidance, helping me master techniques with precision and confidence. My progress has been remarkable, and I attribute it entirely to Sensei’s expertise, patience, and deep knowledge of the traditional art of Kobudo.

Bushikan Karate has transformed our family. Our once-shy daughter now radiates confidence, and our son has developed discipline and focus that shine in life and school. More importantly, they’ve learned to appreciate the world beyond themselves—something even adults struggle with. As a former martial artist, I know the life-changing power of these lessons, and seeing their father train alongside them has deepened our family’s connection in ways I never imagined.

Dear Sensei,
Thank you so much for your teaching and wisdom. I’ve learned so much but feel I still know so little. It hasn’t been easy starting Karate as an adult but never did I feel that you saw that as a problem. I know this year has been hard (Pandemia period), but your Dojo Family is here for you.
Sincerely,