Pine Forest Martial Arts

06/10/2026

Body conditioning night at the dojo. Tonight they toughened hands, fists, arms and feet.

06/10/2026

Some pics from Eddie Sensei’s test:

06/07/2026

Congratulations to our very own Eddie Scroggs, Sensei, for a very successful testing to become an official black belt member of our karate federation (OSMKKF)!! He did a fantastic job and did our dojo proud!

05/15/2026

Congratulations to October Rodgers for their promotion to 7kyu tonight!

05/08/2026

Congratulations to Josiah Jackson and Baylor Bryant for their promotions to 7 kyu Jr!!

05/04/2026

Happy Birthday to our Grandmaster!

04/03/2026

Happy Shisa day!!

OkiCulture!! Okinawa’s guardian shisa has its own day on April 3

April 3rd 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. The area will also be the venue for a popular annual event dedicated to Shisa Day April 3rd.

Everyone who has ever visited Okinawa has come face to face with a shisa. They usually come in pairs, and one with its mouth open is the male and the other with the mouth closed is the female. They are used as a traditional Ryukyu decoration, and resemble a cross between a lion and a dog. People usually place shisa on the rooftop or on both sides of the gate to the house, as they are believed guard and protect people in the house from evils. The female shisa with the mouth closed is always placed on the left, and the male with an open mouth to the right. To make a mistake of placing them otherwise is believed to bring bad luck. The male shisa’s open mouth wards off evil spirits, and the female’s closed mouth keeps the good spirits in.

The shisa are originally a variation of the Chinese guardian lions (“fu dogs”), and their purpose is the same, to ward off evil spirits. The first mention of shisa on Okinawa appeared in a 1689 history book ‘Kyuyo. The first stone Shisa was built in Jiri Castle that was located on a hilltop in the Tomori district in what is now Yaese Town. It’s also the biggest stone Shisa on the island.

The shisa are originally a variation of the Chinese guardian lions (“fu dogs”), and their purpose is the same, to ward off evil spirits. The first mention of shisa on Okinawa appeared in a 1689 history book ‘Kyuyo. The first stone Shisa was built in Jiri Castle that was located on a hilltop in the Tomori district in what is now Yaese Town. It’s also the biggest stone Shisa on the island.

These days almost every house with a tiled roof has a shisa standing on it. In old times most houses on Okinawa had thatched roofs, and a tiled roof was a sign of wealth and status. In a matter of fact, during the Ryukyu Kingdom era commoners were not allowed to have a house with a tile roof.

When the tiled roofs become permissible to anyone who could afford them, craftsmen who built the roofs began to use leftover tiles and plaster to make shisa on the roofs as a decoration, and as each builder made his own style shisa, they became kind of trademarks of each builder.

Most shisa on the roof stand alone, but at gates, and as decorations and souvenirs, they almost always are in pairs. Shisa are also popular as characters on various goods and labels, from cosmetics to drinks.

Most primary schools on Okinawa also have children making their own Shisa in arts class, and tourists and visitors are offered shisa making workshops at many sightseeing spots, like the Shisa Park in Nago, Ryukyu Mura in Onna and many others. Shisa, self-made or ready from the shop, are very popular gifts and souvenirs visitors like to send home as something truly Okinawan.

03/06/2026

Special thanks to our guests Terry Sadler and his wife Reiko for coming to class tonight to help us celebrate Sanshin Day. He told us all about the Okinawan Sanshin and even played a few songs for us.

02/21/2026

Very proud to announce today’s promotions after a very successful testing. All of the students showed great progress and growth. Thanks to all the family members and other students not testing that came to support those that tested.

Congratulations to:
Gavin Babcock - Nidan
Lauren Breedlove - 6 kyu
Bo Nix - 7 kyu
Maria Cazes - 9 kyu
Lanie Chapin - 9 kyu jr
Jessie James - 9 kyu

01/11/2026

OSMKKF 2026 Karate Summer Camp:
The Glacial Ridge Karate Club is partnering with the Willmar Convention Center to host this year's camp in Willmar, Minnesota on June 5, 6, and 7, 2026.

Everything you need to join us, including the Jotform registration and the Best Western group rate booking link, can be found on our official landing page:

REGISTER HERE:https://pelican-potato-3lj2.squarespace.com/registration

Why register early?

Early Bird Pricing: Save on your registration fees by acting now. Event T-Shirt: You MUST register before April 1st to secure your official 2026 t-shirt!

We can't wait to see you all on the floor in Willmar!

JUNE 5 - 7, 2026 WILLMAR, MINNESOTA We are excited to announce the early registration for the 2026 OSMMK GASSHUKU. This year’s Gasshuku will be hosted by the Glacial Ridge Karate Club. Please click the link below to register for the event. We look forward to seeing you there! REGISTER OSMKKF GASSH...