At Indianapolis Shotokan Karate, we practice traditional Shotokan karate-do, honoring the teachings of its founder, Gichin Funakoshi. Funakoshi, born in Okinawa, dedicated his life to karate, introducing it to mainland Japan in the early 20th century.
In 1963, Tsutomu Ohshima, a direct student of Shotokan Karate founder Gichin Funakoshi and head instructor of Shotokan Karate of America (SKA), began teaching Japanese language at Maryknoll School in Los Angeles. His disciplined approach extended beyond language, and upon request from student John Teramoto, Ohshima Sensei founded the Maryknoll Karate Club, the world’s first elementary school karate club.
Mr. John Teramoto (Godan) began training with Tsutomu Ohshima, founder of Shotokan Karate of America (SKA), at age 13 in 1963, forming what may be the world’s first elementary school karate club. He received his Godan in 1990, served as SKA Black Belt Council President (1998-2017) and SKA President (2017-2018), and was named SKA Shihan in 2020.
Mr. Teramoto has been teaching Karate in Butler University Karate Club and later in Indianapolis Shotokan Karate Club and since 2000.
