Our Sensei

Kyoshi Sam Ahtye is the Founder and Chief Instructor of the San Francisco Shorin Ryu Shorinkan Okinawa Karate and Kobudo Dojo. Kyoshi Ahtye has been actively training in the martial arts since 1967.  He is a direct student of some of the greatest martial artists in the world. Kyoshi Ahtye has been fortunate to train with six direct students of Choshin Chibana, Founder of Shorin Ryu Karate.  These direct students of Choshin Chibana include Masters: Yuchoku Higa, Katsuya Miyahara, Shugoro Nakazato, Pat Nakata, Fumio Nagaishi and Sensei Ahtye’s first instructor Clarence Lee.  

During Kyoshi Ahtye’s eight years of active training under Clarence Lee, Master Lee instilled his love of hard training and kata. Master Lee is one of the first non-military karateka to travel and study in Okinawa with the masters.  Kyoshi Ahtye also studied Traditional Chinese Martial Arts with Master Kwan Sai Hung (of “The Wandering Taoist” fame) for four years. He became the teaching assistant to the late Professor William Paul (Kodokan Judo) for nine years. Dr. Paul taught self defense and bio-mechanical efficiency.

Kyoshi Ahtye currently trains directly under Minoru Nakazato, the present Grandmaster of Shorin Ryu Shorinkan Karate Association.  Kyoshi Ahtye is a Shihan (licensed instructor) and is a high ranking yudansha (black belt) within the Shorinkan Karate Association.  Kyoshi Ahtye makes frequent trips to Okinawa to train under Minoru Nakazato and senior Karateka within the Shorinkan Karate Association.