Martial Arts Institute

Martial Arts Institute The Martial Arts Institute is an Okinawan Goju Ryu Karate dojo with the main dojo located in Augusta We welcome you to the Martial Arts Institute!

Here we focus on building strong minds and bodies for all of our students. No prior experience is necessary - we teach all ability levels with karate classes for adults and for children ages 8 & up. Everyone is invited to come watch a class or participate in a real class as a trial with no obligation or hard sell - that is not our style. The only commitment we ask our students to make is to themse

lves - we don't believe in contracts. We have small classes where you get personalized attention every time to help ensure you get the most out of your karate training.

Oh boy...Giddy with excitement!
05/22/2026

Oh boy...Giddy with excitement!

Our yearly community service project brought us to Viles Arboretum in Augusta. Community serving community.
05/05/2026

Our yearly community service project brought us to Viles Arboretum in Augusta. Community serving community.

04/22/2026
A good version of the origin story of the Shisa which are so prevalent on Okinawa.
04/03/2026

A good version of the origin story of the Shisa which are so prevalent on Okinawa.

TOMORROW IS SHISA DAY!

April 3 is the “Day of Shisa” in Okinawa as four (April) is “shi” and three is “san” in Japanese. The day was established in 2002 to promote Shisa made in the Tsuboya district of Naha, the home of Okinawa’s pottery industry.

Shisa are considered to be guardian lions of Okinawa. These stone lions are usually made in pairs, one male (mouth open) and one female (mouth closed), and are placed outside of home or buildings or up on the roof or other high points.

LEGEND OF THE SHISA (One Version)

There was a village in Okinawa that was constantly being terrorized by an angry Sea Dragon. The King of Okinawa lent the village a small stone statue of a Shisa (lion) and told the villagers to place the Shisa between the sea and the village.

When the Sea Dragon approached the village, the small statue transformed into a large Shisa Lion that fiercely charged at the Sea Dragon, scaring it off!

The villagers were ecstatic but worried about what to do the following year when the dragon would return. The small stone statue was needed to guard the castle of the King. The villagers created a costume in the image of the Shisa that had successfully protected their village.

When the Sea Dragon returned, two of the strongest martial artists put on the costume (called Shishi) and fiercely charged at the Sea Dragon. They danced and shook its mane and scared the monster away.

Every year, the Sea Dragon tried to terrorize the village but every year the village Shisa danced and drove the monster away. Other villages made their own protector lions and the Shisa came to be known as the guardian of Okinawa.

Thus, the Shishimai or Okinawan Lion Dance, is performed every year to drive away evil spirits and misfortune!

**This is a shortened version of the Legend of the Shisa performed by storyteller Alton Takiyama-Chung. Folktales often reflect culture and explain ceremonies and meanings. I love how this version explains how Shisa became the guardians of Okinawa. It is also a lovely tale of how of the Shisa costume (Shishi) and the Okinawan Lion Dance (Shishimai) came to be.

The only commitment we ask you to make is to yourself.
03/23/2026

The only commitment we ask you to make is to yourself.

Check us out on MainersWeekly
02/06/2026

Check us out on MainersWeekly

Hello Mainers! I hope your week has gone well and that you’re feeling ready for what’s ahead. I don't know about you, but I'm hoping for a bit more snow to be able to continuing riding those trails, both on the mountains and off. I'm here to help you plan the rest of your week and the weekend ah...

01/22/2026

Address

23 Leighton Road
Augusta, ME
04330

Opening Hours

Monday 9am - 8pm
Wednesday 5pm - 8pm

Telephone

+12072004658

Website

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