History

In The Beginning......

Empire Martial Arts (EMA) was founded in 1988 by 7th degree Black Belt Sensei Joseph LaPlaca. Originally the dojo was located in Webster Shroeder high school as part of a self-defense/karate night school.

Later the school was moved to the Rochester Christian School, and within 2 years the school saw a boom in enrollment, resulting in an expanded class schedule.

The Golden Age

  3 Years later the school moved once again, to Creek Street in Webster and became a free standing dojo for the first time. 

About this time EMA became a member of the Shotokan Karatedo of Japan Federation (SKJF).

During this time EMA produced both adult and child national champions.

A New Beginning

In 2009 the world economy took a turn for the worse and due to the tough economic times Empire Martial Arts had to close its doors.

But the spirt of EMA lives on. With new ownership and a new location in Webster NY, EMA has become Matsunami Karate: Rochester's Premier Self Defense Academy.

Karate Renaissance

Matsunami Karate has taken karate back to it's roots. Using Shotokan Karate as it's base, it's core karate program has stripped away the sport aspects of karate and focuses on karate as it was intended, a civilian self defense system.

Something New...
In 2016 Matsunami Karate added Machida Karate to it's class line up becoming the only school in the northeast with certified Machida Karate instructors under JKA Karate Champion & Bellator MMA fighter Chinzo Machida and his brother former UFC Light Heavy Weight Champion Lyoto Machida.

Meet the Instructors

Sensei Joe LaPlaca
Kyoshi
Head Instructor
7th Degree Black Belt
Northeast SKJF Representative

Sensei Dave Pascucci
Senior Instructor
5th Degree Black Belt

Sensei Baltazar Melendez Jr.
Owner / Instructor
5th Degree Black Belt

Sensei Rick Parrinello Jr.
Owner / Instructor
4th Degree Black Belt