Our Origins
About Capoeira Zoador
Capoeira Zoador was founded in Tokyo by Mestre Sucuri — a Capoeira Mestre, cultural educator, and artist with over 37 years of practice and nearly three decades of international teaching.
Born and raised in Southern California, he began Capoeira at 17 and dedicated his life to Afro-Brazilian history, music, movement, and philosophy. In 1999 he moved to Tokyo to teach and perform, quickly becoming one of Asia's leading voices in Afro-Brazilian cultural arts.
In 2003 he founded Capoeira Zoador Academy, Japan's first full-time Brazilian cultural arts school. From its Tokyo headquarters, the academy grew into a multicultural hub — and from there, an international network of instructors active in Japan, South Korea, Thailand, and the United States.
A respected performer, musician, and author, Mestre Sucuri has produced original Capoeira albums, written three books on teaching and philosophy, and continues to travel across Asia, Europe, and the U.S. to lead workshops and rodas — always rooted in humility, discipline, and cultural preservation.
