Dojo History

Senseis Ninios, Nakazato, Yamashita, circa 1970's

Sensei Ninios, perhaps the most famous picture of him, mid flight in a flying side kick.

Midwest Karate Academy was founded in Mishawaka, IN in 1964 by Tadashi Yamashita and James Ninios. The school has been in continuous operation for over 50 years, and is believed to be the one of the oldest dojos in the United States. In 1977, Sensei Jerry Wroblewski took over the school from Sensei Ninios. Sensei Wroblewski retired from day to day operations in 2016, turning the school over to Senseis Bengtsson and Gravender. They adopted the name Suibukan of Indiana to honor the tradition of Sensei Yamashita. Suibukan is the name of his association, which translates to "school of the warrior who moves like water."

Kyoshi Jerry Wrobelewski with O'Sensei Yamashita and Kyoshi John Sorg, circa 1980's