It can be positively stated Karate in Canada owes its mass introduction and development to one person: MASAMI TSUROKA, 9th dan, Tsuroka Karate-do Federation. Almost single-handedly, Masami Tsuroka sensei had kept Karate before the Canadian public in the early beginnings, 1958 - 1968, through newspaper articles, magazine articles, frequent demonstrations as well as appearances on public television and numerous exhibitions across Canada.

Born in Cumberland, British Columbia, Canada, on January 12, 1929, as a teenager Masami Tsuroka moved to Kumamoto, Japan, in 1945 with his father shortly after the conclusion of World War II. (The Tsuroka family as with most Japanese families living in Canada at that time, was placed in 'Internment Camps' for a few years in Tashimi, B.C., and later at Roseberry.)

During 1949, he received his first-degree black belt from Master Chitose. As Masami kept improving his training, he began to advance progressively up the promotion ladder of rank. Before returning to Canada in 1956 and finally settling in Toronto, he would obtain the level of 3rd degree black belt.

Convinced by many friends to share his knowledge of this mysterious art, Masami Tsuroka sensei began teaching in 1957 at a small fitness gym called Mac's Gym (owned and operated by friend, Mac Mia.) Encouraged by a group of members to permanently establish a separate training facility of his own, Masami Tsuroka eventually secured space over Lakeside Bowling Alley in the Queen Street/Lansdowne area in 1958 and began giving Karate instruction at the first Karate Club in Canada.

Notable members were Benny Allen (Eastern Karate Schools - teacher of Wally Slocki, Tony Facetti, and Teddy Marton), Dr. Ned Page (Wen-Do creator), Shane Higashi (Canadian Chito-Kai Federation).

Also, Qai Wong (Wong's Shorin-ryu Karate/Kung Fu Society), Kei Tsumura (Shito-ryu Itosu-kai Karate and Kobudo Association of Canada), Monty and Nathan Guest (Kaishin Kan Karate Organization), Fern Cleroux (Cleroux's Chito-ryu Karate), Joe Gilles (Shotokan-Nishiyama Group). Alcide Bourque (New Brunswick) and Andre Langelier, George Sylvaine (Ottawa), Tug Wilson (Winnipeg) and Tran Quan Ba (University of Montreal).