Tatsu Do is an eclectic system of martial arts devised by Hanshi William Cavalier. He was born on July 31, 1940 in Rochester, New York. He began training in Chito Ryu Karate in 1957. In the spring of 1958, he moved to Florida, where he trained in Yoshin Ryu Ju Jutsu and Shito Ryu Karate under the direction of Sensei Mattson.

Upon reaching black belt status, Hanshi Cavalier returned to New York State and continued to train in various styles of Karate, Ju Jutsu and Kung Fu, both in the United States and Canada. Sensei Mattson referred Hanshi Cavalier to Kyoto Durant, who at first would not accept him as a student, until he had proven himself. After three years, Master Durant finally let him join Goshin Jutsu Kyu Jujo, where he studied Karate, Ju Jutsu, Aiki Jutsu and Kobudo. He also studied the sword styles of Omori Ryu and Katori Shinto Ryu extensively. In 1976, Grand Master Durant gave Hanshi Cavalier permission to form his own style of Karate, Aiki Jutsu, Kobudo, and Iai Jutsu.

Hanshi Cavalier attributes all of his knowledge to Grand Master Durant and has certificates signed by Grand Master Durant, as well as Master Hohan Soken, Master Fuse Kise, Master Daniel K. Pai, Master Glenn Premru, Hanshi Mitsuhiro Saruta. He received the highest ranking in Goshin Jutsu Kyu Jujo given to any one by Grand Master Durant, personally, that of Eighth Degree Black Belt.

Today, Hanshi William R. Cavalier, Jr. is the head of the Tatsu Do Yudanshakai and President of the Traditional Martial Arts Association. He holds the rank of Tenth Degree Black Belt in Tatsu Do. He was inducted into the International Karate Hall of Fame in Cleveland, Ohio in 1988, the Eastern U.S.A. Martial Arts Association Hall of Fame in Pittsburg, Pennsylvania in 1991, the Goshin Justu Hall of Fame in Erie, Pennsylvania in 1993 and the World Martial Arts Association Hall of Fame in Cleveland, Ohio in 1995. There are seventeen schools in the Tatsu Do Organization throughout New York State.

Auburn Karate Studio is one of those schools.