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Sugihara Sensei has a lineage that most
would envy, starting with his father, the founder of Fushi Ryu, who taught
him as a youth, and then such masters as Yasuhiro Konishi of Ryobukai (Shindo
Jinen Ryu) and Hironori Otsuka, the founder of Wado Ryu. Both were top
students of Gichin Funakoshi, the founder of Shotokan Karate and the father
of modern Karate. His lineage also traces back to Miagi Chogun, founder of
Goju Ryu. Sugihara Sensei also has an excellent background in weaponry such
as the kama, sai, nunchaku, bo, tonfa and sword.
Sugihara Sensei comes across as a
quiet, unassuming person, but when you see his technique one is amazed at
the power that this Karate Master can manifest in a single move. One can
easily see that Sugihara Sensei has trained for over 70 years in the Martial
Arts. An excellent administrator, he has organized many large tournaments as
well as heading the All Japan Youth Karatedo Association. He received a 5th
Dan in Kendo and also studied Aikido for 5 years under Ueshiba Sensei. He
received his 10th Degree Black Belt in Karatedo from the Emperor
of Japan personally.
At 81 years of age (2003) Sugihara
Sensei still teaches 2 classes a day, 3 days a week as well as his own daily
practice, showing a true passion for karate and living his adage that Karate
is for life.
Fushin Ryu will live on in Japan
through Sensei's grandson Kenji. At present a Yondan who started training
under Sugihara Sensei as soon as he could walk.
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Kolb Sensei has studied Martial Arts from the age of 10 (1969). Starting
with Kotokan Judo and Shotokan Karate, he also has studied
Tai Kwan Do and Yoshukai Karate. In 1995 He moved to Japan and began
studying with Grand Master Sugihara. Because of Sugihara Sensei’s
experience after World War II when the United States, instead of oppressing
his country, showed great magnanimity (yutakana kokoro) by helping rebuild
Japan into the great nation it is today, he took a special interest in the
American “gaijin”. In 2000, when Kolb Sensei left Japan, Sugihara Sensei
promoted him to the rank of Godan (5th degree Black Belt) and
gave him the title of “Shihan” (master instructor). He is the head of the
American Fushin Ryu Karate Association and is in possession of Sugihara
Sensei’s original Black Belt as well as his hand written “Dojo Etiquette”
document from the Yokohama dojo. His home dojo is AFR Christian Karate in
Orange Park, Fl. |
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