About Marquette Dojo
Marquette Dojo was founded in 2025 and continues to be led by Johnny Martin, a black belt student of Tsutomu Ohshima, founder of Shotokan Karate of America.
Our members enjoy a direct link to ancient masters of martial arts through Mr. Ohshima and his direct instructor, Gichin Funakoshi, founder of Shotokan Karate.
We strive to strengthen body, mind and spirit, perfect character, and faithfully transmit the art to future generations.
Benefits of Karate Practice
Karate can be practiced by everyone at any age for self-defense, to strengthen the entire body, improve balance, efficiency of movement, breathing and overall health. No special equipment is needed.
Karate helps to strengthen the mind, develop courage, fortitude, and the ability to achieve goals.
Karate practice emphasizes spiritual values of courtesy, integrity, humility, justice, honor, and self-control.
The study of karate benefits the student in all areas of their life.
Welcome Newcomers!
We are so glad that you are interested in joining the Marquette Dojo
Practices are usually held at Northern Michigan University’s PEIF Rec Center. During the brief breaks between semesters and during the summer months when the PEIF is closed, practices are held at the Waino Wahtera Pavilion, which is across the street from NMU’s Northern Center.
Joining is easy – just visit any of our practices where you are welcome to observe once or twice (free of charge). Participation in classes held at the PEIF Recreation Center requires that you check in at the front desk, which may require membership for community members who are neither students nor faculty.
We encourage a serious mentality and thus encourage students to step forward and join Shotokan Karate of America ($125 annual membership). As a member of SKA you will be able to attend any SKA regional, national, and international event open to your rank, and you’ll be able to test for rank twice per year at no charge. Black belt testing is also free, but by invitation only.
The ultimate aim of karate lies not in victory or defeat, but the perfection of the character of its participants.
– Master Gichin Funakoshi