Shojiro Sugiyama

Shojiro Sugiyama was born in Tokyo, Japan in 1929. In 1954, after training in two other styles of karate, he began studying with the Japan Karate Association of Tokyo (Yotsuya). He was invited to come to Chicago, U.S.A. to teach karate in 1963. Through the late 60's and 70's, Sugiyama Sensei is credited with building and promoting Shotokan karate throughout the entire midwest region. Many of his original students have gone on to create their own dojos throughout Illinois, Iowa, Indiana, Michigan and Wisconsin. In recent years, Sugiyama has increased his focus towards the use and development of ki (Chinese, Qi), in order to improve karate training and create a radar system for martial artists.