Shotokan Karate of Spokane

Shotokan Karate of Spokane teaches traditional Japanese karate rooted in the teachings of Gichin Funakoshi, the founder of Shotokan, and names its aim as building “strength, character, and confidence.” Chief instructor Sensei Matthew Thomas has given over 50 years to karate: Shaolin Long Fist from the late 1960s, Shōrin-ryū through the 1970s, then Kenpo, and Shotokan from the mid-1980s. He oversaw the karate program in Whitworth University's Physical Education department for 15 years, and in 2024 he won the 70-74 age group kumite title at the JKA's Funakoshi Gichin Cup world championship. Sensei Laura Thomas also teaches; the dojo describes her as an expert in self-defense and awareness “particularly tailored to women and children.”

The main dojo is at The Warehouse Athletic facility on North Hamilton Street, with classes on Tuesday and Thursday evenings. A Saturday morning class meets at Suncrest Fitness Center in Nine Mile Falls. The dojo welcomes anyone “genuinely interested” in Shotokan, says students benefit “regardless of age or athletic ability,” and recommends starting at seven or older. Novices learn a range of fundamental techniques; as they advance, training moves to harder scenarios, including multiple attackers and weapons.

Training follows dojo etiquette. Students bow entering and leaving, line up in rank order at the start of class, and address the instructor as Sensei and black belts as Senpai. A clean white karate gi is part of the dojo rules, along with trimmed nails and no watches or jewelry. Students also travel with the instructors to JKA camps, seminars and tournaments.

The dojo lists no prices and no trial class, and it doesn't say whether a gi is needed from the first class; an email before a first visit settles all three.