International Head Instructor

Saiko Shihan Yoshio Sugihara, Yokohama - Japan 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.

United States Head Instructor

Shihan Cris Kolb, Orange Park, Florida 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.