Castillo's Shotokan Karate-Do

Castillo's Shotokan Karate-Do Begin a tradition of learning by training mind, body, and spirit using Karate-Do.

Our emphasis is the building of excellent character, etiquette & spirit(doing your best), but we do not neglect the physical skills needed for self-defense.

09/04/2026

Support CASA: Dine at Pollo Loco:

Support CASA at Pollo Loco:
Mention to the cashier before you order and 20% of your purchase will be donated to C.A.S.A.! Orders can be placed at the restaurant or drive-thru.
NOT VALID AT KIOSKS
WHEN: SEPTEMBER 16, 2026==ALL DAY
WHERE: 1401 NORTH MAIN ST. Watsonville
CASA==Court Appointed Special Advocates
Recruit volunteers to advocate for foster youths.
Ensure that children and youths in the welfare and
juvenile justice systems have both a voice and the
services they need to thrive.
PLEASE: TAKE THE TIME TO SUPPORT THIS CAUSE BY
HELPING IN THE FUND-RAISING BY ORDERING
FROM POLLO LOCO.
SHIHAN FRED L. Fred L. Castillo
A FORMER FOSTER CHILD

Some background on Gichen Funakoshi's son Yosh*taka (Gigo) who took over for his father and changed Shotokan Karate-Do."...
09/03/2026

Some background on Gichen Funakoshi's son Yosh*taka (Gigo) who took over for his father and changed Shotokan Karate-Do.
"Yosh*taka, aka "Gigo," set about transforming his father's legacy into a much more athletic-based Karate. He widened stances, made them deeper and more rooted. He introduced high and mid-level dynamic kicks that weren't heavily emphasized in Okinawan Karate, although they certainly did exist. He changed front kicks in some Kata into side kicks, or Yokogeri, simply because he felt they looked better. He shifted the combat range for Karate toward longer distance and away from the close-quarters fighting that was much more common in Okinawan Karate. He also reduced much of the grappling and close-contact elements that existed in Okinawan Karate and shifted toward longer, more linear attacks. Credit Steven Franz OSS! Sensei Herb

Our DOJO maintains a student enrollment that allows the Instructors to spend more time teaching the students as individu...
08/06/2026

Our DOJO maintains a student enrollment that allows the Instructors to spend more time teaching the students as individuals. We are not maintaining a Martial Arts Dojo in order to make a living, myself and all the Black Belt Instructors teach because it is the living philosophy we have chosen to follow and we all love teaching others that have the desire to train in Traditional Karate-Do.

These are students from the YOUTH CLASS that recently gained there next grade level : color belt or a stripe to indicated they have learned a part of the level that they would advance to as they continue to train.

Fred L. Castillo

This student has been training on and off for many years; working, family and life's issues have delayed his progress, b...
08/06/2026

This student has been training on and off for many years; working, family and life's issues have delayed his progress, but he has continued traveling up the path to the top of the mountain at the pace which he has been able to sustain; KEY IS HE HAS NEVER QUIT COMPLETELY.

So he has attained his: Pre-Shodan level 2 rank. one more step and then he will be ready to be scheduled for this Shodan ( first degree) Black Belt exam.

Congratulations to: Kohai Ivan Hernandez

Shihan Fred L. Castillo

Traditional Karate training takes: TIME, PATIENCE & and a NEVER QUIT SPIRIT. At our Dojo ( training hall) we train serio...
08/06/2026

Traditional Karate training takes: TIME, PATIENCE & and a NEVER QUIT SPIRIT.
At our Dojo ( training hall) we train seriously to perfect the skills necessary for self-defense; Physically & Emotionally.
Most students that come to our Dojo and begin training expect to advance quickly; as if paying their dues is enough to advance to the next level of colored belt. That is not the case at this Dojo; we be that: WITHOUT STANDARDS THERE IS NO VALUE. There is a price to be paid and it: IS ON THE DOJO FLOOR GIVING 100% EFFORT AND SPIRIT, pushing yourself to always realize that you can always get better: A BEGINNER SEE MUCH TO LEARN, AN EXPERT SEES LITTLE; therefore as you train or study you must ALWAYS KEEP A BEGINNER'S MIND.

These students became Brown Belts at our dojo after completing two-three hour testing. None have trained for less than nearly two years and some for as much as five years or more. Why so long to advance, STANDARDS, and this is not a race, the first one to the finish line does not win, they only finish that lap. there is still more to learn. CANI : CONSTANT AND NEVER ENDING IMPROVEMENT.

Now the question is how many of them have the Spirit to continue?? We will see as time goes by. In the meantime, congratulations to all of them.

Shihan Fred L. Castillo

There currently opening in our Karate Program: Youth: 5 spaces , Adults: 5 spaces.Participate in two-four classes; a...
07/30/2026

There currently opening in our Karate Program: Youth: 5 spaces , Adults: 5 spaces.

Participate in two-four classes; at NO FEE; before making the decision to register. This is Traditional Karate Training ; Not recreational karate, training is serious, but it comes with a sense of accomplishment; better all around fitness; stamina, conditioning, flexibility, mobility; also; discipline of the mind by focusing on excellence; build a strong, never give up spirit.
All of these occur as you progress through your training. this is a Life time project , not just a short term fantasy.

Thank you,
Shihan Fred L. Castillo

Our martial art as written in the Japanese Kanji. It means Empty Hand Way, or The way of empty hand meaning no weapons j...
07/27/2026

Our martial art as written in the Japanese Kanji. It means Empty Hand Way, or The way of empty hand meaning no weapons just feet and hands. It was originally called China hand because it is believed to have been introduced to Okinawa by Chinese travelers. OSS! Sensei Herb

07/21/2026

A question of : WHY??
I recently had a friend say that he would not go to Watsonville Community Hospital. I had just mentioned I had been there for some examinations and was a little delayed for meeting with him and other friends. It was then that he made that remark.

I asked him: WHY? Give me your reason: WHY? He did not answer me, nor did he want to answer me for some reason, which I will never know. He did mention that I was " touchy" because I was a former employee, which was true. But, more than that, I am a staunch supporter of our Community Hospital which is Watonville's own.

The former For-Profit owner, purchased a fully operational hospital and went about 'dismantling" for their own profit, with no consideration of the community at large. We were left with no better than a large clinic after all of our special services were eliminated.

The stain that they left behind has left its mark; Doctors and patients had the opinion that why would we go to a hospital that is equipped with sub-standard equipment and technology.

But, that is no longer true.......the hospital has made recent purchased that have brought the hospital up to standards and continues to pursue specialists to further the services which the hospital wants and has the ability to offer to the residents of Watsonville.

Do not let the propaganda coming from those that would have the hospital fail........it can better serve our community NOW.

It has taken time and more time is needed to rebuild what was destroyed , be patient and be loyal. Tell your physician you want to support your local hospital. If the service you receive is not excellent, file a grievance, speak to a supervisor; or let me know I will step up and speak for you.

I am the harshest critic the hospital has had over the last few years, WHY? , because I know we can and must be better in every phase of the health services that the hospital can and does provide.

I am truly easy to find in Watsonville.

Fred L. Castillo
[email protected]

07/21/2026

As a former employee of Watsonville Community Hospital for a tenure of 50+ years, I needed to express my dissatisfaction with the selection process for the Permanent CEO to replace the former CEO. This is my article with my opinion.

• Tony Nunez,
True to my word, I have taken time to absorb the details of why you decided to forego continuing as part of a selection committee for the Permanent CEO of WCH
I have not changed my mind about my disagreeing with you and your decision to select others on the Board of Directors to be on the Ad Hoc Committee to review candidates for the Permanent CEO position for WCH and to allow them to make the recommendation about the likely candidate.
You and Dr Joe Gallagher constituted the Ad Hoc Committee to review and ultimately select the Interim CEO, because of Steve Gray's decision to leave the position as CEO. It seems to me that since you and Dr. Gallagher were on the Ad Hoc Committee to select an Interim CEO, it would make sense to have both or one of you on the Ad Hoc Committee to select the PERMANENT CEO, what I would consider an even more important decision and in need of the experience of both or one of you on the Selection for PERMANENT CEO.
Your reasoning for not being a part of the Ad Hoc Committee to review and select the PERMANENT CEO, was that you may be voted as the 4th District Supervisor; which is what has occurred; and that you felt that you would not be able to give the Ad Hoc Committee the full attention that it would deserve because of your new found Supervisor position. I know that it will not be uncommon for you as 4th District Supervisor to need to address more than one important issue for the community and the County. So why would this be so different?
As far as that goes, then to select an Ad Hoc Committee without including Dr. Gallagher, who had gone through the prior review and selection for Interim CEO, seemed to be without a solid basis for that decision. Why not include him? This, in my mind, was not the time to allow others to fulfill the committee just for the experience. No disrespect to those that you named, but my personal opinion.
Above all, why in the world would we have to have an Interim CEO for a few months and pay him an exorbitant amount of a salary to only take the time to become acquainted with WCH and its overall plan of operation?
Did we not have someone under Steven Gray that was already aware of the organization and the plans for WCH? Not only that, but there is a contingent of Officers under the resigning CEO that were part of the overall plans. Makes no sense to me why the Board would OK this expense?

So, I will be forming an article to post in the Pajaronian and on other streaming services to express my dissatisfaction with this whole issue.
Fred L. Castillo—retired, 50+ year employee of WCH—
July 15, 2026

Words to express my feelings with regard to the Surprise Birthday Celebration the Sensei, Sempai, parents and students s...
07/15/2026

Words to express my feelings with regard to the Surprise Birthday Celebration the Sensei, Sempai, parents and students set up for me this last Saturday July 11, 2026.
I took a few days to try and find the proper words to convey my deepest feelings as they were felt on that day. I was totally surprised.
I have since had memories of the last forty plus years of teaching Karate in Watsonville. I have had many, many students pass through the many locations and dojos. I can honestly say I have given my best to teach Traditional Karate-Do, not all students will regard me with high sentiments, but I have nothing but respect for all that have participated no matter how little or how long.
I am honored to say that I have been able to teach karate without having to rely on the finances to survive. Which has allowed me to emphasize: the develop of the character of the participants. This has continued to be a constant learning experience for me, too.
From the bottom of my heart and soul, I thank all of you for this expression of gratitude and respect.

Shihan Fred L. Castillo

Address

1810 Main Street
Watsonville, CA
95076

Opening Hours

Monday 5pm - 7pm
Tuesday 6pm - 7:30pm
Wednesday 5pm - 7pm
Thursday 5pm - 7pm
Saturday 10:30am - 11:30am

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