JKA Chicago Sugiyama Dojo
About
JKA Chicago Sugiyama Dojo on W Belmont
JKA Chicago Sugiyama Dojo is a traditional Japan Karate Association school on the second floor of 1016 W Belmont in Lake View East, one of the oldest continuously operating karate dojos in the Midwest. It was founded in 1962 as the Chicago Karate Club by Walter Nakamoto and reorganized in 1963 when Shihan Shojiro Sugiyama was invited from Japan to take over as head instructor, planting the JKA Shotokan lineage in Chicago.
Kids Martial Arts Programs
Kids classes start at age 7 and train alongside adults under one syllabus, working through the same kihon, kata, and kumite curriculum recognized by JKA dojos worldwide:
- Basics: stances, blocks, strikes, and kicks
- The classic Heian kata progression
- Partnered drills
- Structured light kumite as students rank up
- Kyu belt progression toward shodan
What's Included
- JKA Shotokan lineage from Funakoshi through Nakayama, Nishiyama, and Sugiyama
- One unified syllabus for kids and adults
- Formal old-school atmosphere: gi worn correctly, proper bows, repetition until movement is clean
- Steps from the Red Line and CTA buses
- Trial classes for new students
Experience
The line of transmission runs from Gichin Funakoshi, founder of modern Shotokan karate, through Masatoshi Nakayama, Hidetaka Nishiyama, and Shojiro Sugiyama directly to the current instructor staff. The Belmont location serves Lake View, Lincoln Park, Boys Town, Roscoe Village, and the Near North side. The dojo rewards patient, multi-year practice, fitting families who want authentic traditional Shotokan over quick belt turnover.