Nishiyama   Fusaro   Funakoshi

Fusaro

Master Robert L. Fusaro is one of the highest ranking non-Japanese black belts in the world, currently holding a 7th degree black belt. He began his karate study in Japan during the Korean War at the Japan Karate Association headquarters, not realizing it was to become a lifelong passion. While training in Japan he had the distinct pleasure of participating in the first Japan Karate Association (JKA) tournament held in 1957. He also remembers seeing Master Funakoshi seated as an honored guest in the front of the dojo floor.

After being discharged he remained in Japan to continue his training. Unfortunately, an emergency at home caused him to return to Minneapolis in the fall of 1958 where he started his first school. The dojo has moved several times before ending up in its current location. Fusaro has always felt that karate should be open to everyone. He has dedicated himself to that goal. What makes him truly unique among martial arts instructors is that teaching karate is not really a job to him, it is a way of life that he enjoys.