At Ronin Martial Arts, we feature a unique and award-winning Karate style, which we call Ronin Karate. Sensei Fuccillo first started training in traditional Japanese Shotokan Karate in 1967, along with Judo and Ju-Jitsu. He received his first degree black belt in Karate in 1975, his second degree in 1979, and third degree in 1984. Sensei has also trained in Goju Karate (Japanese Goju, Okinawan Goju, and USA Goju), Uechi-Ryu Karate (Okinawan), Muay Thai (Thailand), Tae Kwon Do, Hapkido, Kuk Sool Won (Korea), Kenpo, Pa-Kua, and Tai Chi Yang style (China). He has incorporated concepts and techniques from all his studies, but the main influences in Ronin Karate are Shotokan, Goju, and Uechi-Ryu. His school, Ronin Dojo, was first incorporated in 1976, and in the 1980's and 90's, was a dominant Karate force in the local and regional tournaments on Long Island. His students have won hundreds of trophies and medals in these competitions. The name, Ronin Karate, was first used by Sensei Fuccillo in 1984 to delineate the Karate aspect of his classical mixed martial arts system, Ronin-do-ryu (or Ronin-do, for short). See menu for a description of this system, first named in 1981.

      Ronin Karate is a traditional, no-nonsense style of hard work, explosive power, long and short-range techniques, and beautiful but practical forms (kata). We concentrate on breath control and ki development (internal energy) in the application of technique and the development of character through the understanding of Bushido, the classical code of ethics of the warrior. Being a traditional school, we do not condone the promotion of children to black belt, as traditional schools consider a black belt as an expert grade, and as a teacher grade. Since children are in the process of forming their character, body, and spirit, we cannot call a child an expert. Belt promotions are given, but children will be held at brown belt until they turn 17 and undergo a rigorous black belt test to determine expertise. All belts are not lightly given out, but one can be assured that if they are promoted, they truly are that rank. This is the traditional way.

     We invite you to train in the "old-fashioned" way of traditional Karate, the methods that have been passed down from teacher to student since ancient times. We do not wear fancy uniforms, nor practice to music, but we will increase your fitness, stamina, and health, and we will influence your self-discipline, confidence, and focus. And you will learn self-defense in a spirit of readiness, humbleness, and hard work, just as the warrior-students from long ago did before you.