About Us

Shintaro Judo Headshot
My name is Shintaro Higashi, and martial arts shaped my life. I was a professional judo athlete on the IJF circuit for years in pursuit of the Olympics, and what a journey it was! I've traveled to over 20 countries, missed the London Olympics by a handful of world-ranking slots, made lifelong friends, and gained experience that prepared me for life outside of Judo.

At this point, I feel I can deal with anything - like when Seamless isn't working, when there is nothing to watch on Netflix, or when that line at Trader Joe's is out of control. My latest obsession is apparel. For years, I've noticed a gap in grappling gear, and Higashi brand is my attempt to build something worthwhile from the ground up. I look to you, my fellow grapplers, to help me build the next era of grappling gear. I want to make gear that can take you from the streets to the mats, works in any situation, and looks good outside the dojo. Welcome to the Higashi Brand Grappler's Club!

See you on the mats,

Shintaro Higashi

Grappling Gear Done Right

Functional: We seek to make every item a quality piece that will last, a difficult task for martial arts gear.

Multipurpose: Our gear turns heads on and off the mats.

Affordable: We've vetted our suppliers to ensure you aren't paying more than you should.

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