Shorin-Ryu Karate MN

05/18/2026

A huge shout-out to Sensei Hatle, Sempai David Huyck, and all their Black Belts and students for hosting a magnificent and magnanimous event. – Kyoshi Mackay

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Onegai shimasu Hanshi, Kyoshi, Sensei, and all Deshi!

A full range of ranks from across the country joined together in Northfield last weekend to celebrate Minnesota in May 2026! A total of ten dojo participated in the event, including out-of-town representatives from New York (Midtown, Downtown, Nyack and Long Island), Florida (Suntree/Melbourne and Cape Canaveral), Massachusetts (Northampton) and Connecticut (Easton).

The "main event" of the weekend was a Black Belt test, where five candidates performed a total of 64 kata on the spot before a Board of Judges comprised of Kyoshi Kevin Reymond (Center Judge) and Sensei(s) Steve Hatle, Kim Garon, Jennifer Sangalang and Bryan Markiet. After meeting all the challenges of the formal review, plus earlier reviews in the workouts leading up to the test, the following advanced in rank:

Promoted to Sho-Dan:

Oscar Huyck (Ueshiro Northfield Dojo – junior)
Cailin Huyck Orr (Ueshiro Northfield Dojo)
Damon Santostefano (Ueshiro Downtown Dojo)
Tom Jacoby (Ueshiro Midtown Dojo)

Promoted to San-Dan:

John Lee (Ueshiro Midtown Dojo)

The weekend began on Friday night with Kyoshi Mackay leading the class through our warmups and then a detailed examination of our basic moves. He emphasized proper form and the critical importance of how each move teaches us the foundation for the rest of our karate, from Fukyugata kata all the way through the Black Belt kata. There was review of kata, including body-testing for the Black Belt candidates.

At our Saturday morning workout, the main focus was on each of our visiting Black Belts reviewing the class performing a different kata from Fukyugata Ichi through Naihanchi San. Each Sensei provided corrections specific to the kata as well as identifying overall areas of technique that needed review based on their observations. A lot of sugar was shared during these reviews!

Our Saturday afternoon was dedicated to the Black Belt test.

Saturday night was informal potluck dinner held at the historic Northfield Depot. A beautiful evening found many of us outside on the patio, sharing stories, making new friends, and enjoying the variety of foods provided by the Northfield deshi.

After a good night’s rest, Sunday morning began with informal training sessions where small groups, led by various Sensei, worked on everything from kata to kumite to weapons. It was a great opportunity for the Northfield deshi to work with a new set of instructors and gain new perspectives on their training.

The formal session focused on two areas. First, the newly promoted Black Belts led the class in different kata, reviewing and offering corrections as the senior Black Belts did the day before – a foretaste and reminder of the additional responsibilities to their dojo to be an instructor and a leader!

After a brief demonstration of both bo and nunchaku kata, along with an examination of the differences and similarities to empty-handed kata, the balance of the session was dedicated to various aspects of yakusoko kumite. Single opponent, multiple opponents, and the importance of awareness of the environment and possible secondary opponents as you engage with the person in front of you.

The morning ended with everyone strolling to the nearby Japanese garden for photos and final farewells.

There’s no easy way for the Northfield deshi to express our gratitude to everyone who made the trip! Kyoshi Reymond and Mackay were both invaluable sources of wisdom, and all the senior Black Belts were generous with their insight and sharing their knowledge with everyone.

Domo arigato gozaimasu to Hanshi Robert Scaglione for your continued support of the efforts of the Carleton and Northfield dojo. We are honored and grateful to be part of such a vibrant and vital organization!

Respectfully,

Sensei Steve Hatle, Shihan
Ueshiro Northfield Shorin-Ryu Karate Dojo of Minnesota

Sempai David Huyck, Shihan
Ueshiro Carleton Karate Dojo

05/11/2026

Onegai-shimasu All Deshi -

It's been a busy Winter term, which will culminate this weekend with our Minnesota in May event ( https://northfieldkarate.com/minnesota-in-may-2026/ ).

Registration for Summer classes is now open here ( https://northfieldschools.ce.eleyo.com/course/2352/summer-2026/shorin-ryu-karate ) Sign up early, sign up often!

If you're thinking about coming to try a class before you sign up, please note the location change. Due to construction at the High School this Summer, we will be working out outside the Northfield Middle School : Soccer Field - South.

Please enjoy the pics below of some of the successes of our Deshi over the winter.

See you on the deck!

Sensei

05/08/2026

One week to go until MN In May.

Come join us for 1 or all events

https://northfieldkarate.com/minnesota-in-may-2026/

Sensei

04/22/2026

Onegai shimasu, Hanshi, Kyoshi, Sensei, and all Deshi -

Yesterday, April 21, 2026, twenty-five deshi at the Ueshiro Carleton Karate Dojo dedicated their hour of training to Master Ansei Ueshiro in celebration of his birthday. In our 60 minutes together we executed 40 rounds of Fukyugata Ichi, starting with nearly half at half-speed and power, another third or so at three-quarter speed and power, and concluded with full-speed and power kata to finish the class.

The repetitions come at a perfect time for these white belts. In their fourth week of training, we were able to spend a vigorous hour drilling the moves of their first kata. We focused on self-corrections and on adapting to the environment - in this case, a crowded deck. It is an honor to work with these curious students, and to see them push themselves beyond their own expectations.

Domo arigato gozaimasu,

Sempai David Huyck, Ni Dan
Shihan, Ueshiro Carleton Karate Dojo

04/20/2026

Onegai shimasu Hanshi, Kyoshi, Sensei, and all Deshi!

The Northfield and Carleton College dojo held a combined tip test on Saturday, April 18th 2026.

Congratulations to the following students:

Ro-Kyu (one green tip)

Mya Lucas - Northfield (child)
Eli Lucas - Northfield (child)
Dylan Lucas - Northfield (child)
Kolt Lucas - Northfield (child)
Wyatt Lucas - Northfield (child)
Pax Hayman - Carleton

Go-Kyu (two green tips)

TJ Lucas

The workout started with our traditional warm-up exercises and basics as called out in the 50th Anniversary Journal.

We continued with leg work and squats before lining up for group kata.

Our candidates then performed their kata and demonstration of basic moves with concentration and vigor. During the question and answer session we explored knowledge of our kata and our Ueshiro heritage, as well as getting some heartfelt answers on the value of family and support in the dojo. Special congratulations to the Lucas family, who had a clean sweep on their tests this weekend, and are looking ready to move forward with Ueshiro Shorin-Ryu!

We then opened the floor for demonstrations. Our green belts demonstrated Pinan Shodan. The Ik-Kyu demonstrated Naihanchi Sho and Ananku. The Black Belts demonstrated kata Wankan and Rohai.

The session ended with everyone on the deck working Fukyugata Ichi through a number of repetitions before the awarding of promotion certificates.

The Board of Judges included Sensei Steve Hatle, Guy Lawrence, and Shihan David Huyck.

Domo arigato to Sempai Vincent Sommer for calling the test.

We now set our sights on preparing for our Minnesota in May event coming up in less than a month. We have 14 visitors coming in from various dojo on the East Coast and Florida - it's not too late to decide to join us!

Domo arigato gozaimasu to Grand Master Ansei Ueshiro as we celebrate his birthday this week , and to Hanshi Scaglione for faithfully continuing that tradition and keeping it vital today!

Respectfully,

Sensei Steve Hatle, Yon-Dan
Shihan of the Ueshiro Northfield Karate Dojo

Sempai David Huyck, Ni-Dan
Shihan of the Ueshiro Carleton Karate Dojo

04/20/2026

The next system-wide book club meeting will be held this Thursday at 6pm Central. Zoom information is available from your dojo Sensei.

"Onegai shimasu Hanshi, Kyoshi, Sensei and deshi of Ueshiro Shorin-Ryu Karate USA,

The next meeting of the Ueshiro Shorin-Ryu Karate Book Club will be held via Zoom on Thursday, April 23, 2026. The meeting will run from 7:00 PM to 8:30 PM. In honor of Master Ueshiro's birthday, the books up for discussion are the articles, pictures and other materials focused on Master Ueshiro found in the 30th and 50th Anniversary Commemorative Journals and Hanshi Robert Scaglione's two books, "The Shorin-Ryu Okinawan Karate Question and Answer Book" and "Building Warrior Spirit With Gan - Soku - Tanden - Riki.". The meeting will be held via Zoom; the invite information will be distributed when we get closer to the date.

Deshi of all ranks are strongly encouraged to attend and participate in the meeting. As Hanshi would say, "Just Do It" - so mark it in your calendar and just show up.

Domo arigato gozaimasu,
Kyoshi Reymond"

03/22/2026

03/10/2026

03/02/2026

Onegai shimasu Hanshi, Kyoshi, Sensei, and all Deshi!

The Ueshiro Carleton and Ueshiro Northfield dojo are pleased to announce the results of our joint promotion event, held Saturday February 28th!

Congratulations to seven students who were promoted to their next rank:

Yon-Kyu (Green Belt)
Jeremie Rault-Wang (Carleton)

Go-Kyu (Two Green Tips)
Curtis Ingvoldstad (Northfield)
Freyja Ingvoldstad (Northfield, youth)

Ro-Kyu (One Green Tip)
Izzy Hill (Carleton)
Sol Kallman (Carleton)
Kate Korb (Carleton)
Sia Tarawally (Carleton)

We began with the traditional warm-up exercises and basics as described in the 50th Anniversary Journal. We continued with leg work, deep knee bends, and kicks before the group performed repetitions of Fukyugata Ichi and Fukyugata Ni together.

The Board of Judges then got ready, and the candidates demonstrated their kata with great spirit and focus. After the tip candidates demonstrated their basics, our Yon-Kyu candidate was joined by a hardy group of six fellow deshi to help demonstrate Oyo-Tan-Ren. The full group of candidates then returned to answer questions from the board about our Shinden, their history, the composers of the kata, and the concepts of Gan, Soku, Tanden, and Riki. Finally, our Yon-Kyu candidate stepped forward to attempt his three-board break with spirit and vigor.

The Board of Judges included Sensei Steve Hatle, Sensei Guy Lawrence, and Sempai David Huyck. Domo arigato to Sempai Vincent Sommer for calling the test, and for leading the group through repetitions of Fukyugata Ichi while the Board conferred.

We are excited to hear from those of you who are planning to join us in Minnesota this May! We look forward to sharing the deck with you!

Domo arigato gozaimasu to Master Ansei Ueshiro for courageously stepping first, when he brought his Karate to us from Okinawa. And to Hanshi and the Kyoshi for keeping the joy, spirit, and power of Ueshiro Shorin-Ryu Karate alive and strong for all of us who are training!

Respectfully,

Sempai David Huyck, Ni-Dan
Shihan of the Ueshiro Carleton Karate Dojo

Sensei Steve Hatle, Yon-Dan
Shihan of Ueshiro Northfield Shorin-Ryu Karate Dojo of Minnesota