Rockland Matsubayashi-Ryu Dojo

08/21/2026

Huge congratulations to Jerald Hurdle on his well-earned promotion to Hachikyu (green tips) last night at the Penobscot Bay YMCA . His enthusiasm and continued training is paying off! Keep coming through the door to the Dojo!

08/02/2026

Congratulations to Jen Christie on her well-deserved promotion to 4th Kyu (Brown tips) at the Penobscot Bay YMCA. She has been working hard, and it shows! Keep coming through the door to the Dojo Jen!

07/25/2026

Congratulations to Yosh*taka Taira Sensei, Hanshi, 10th Dan, President of the WMKA, on being officially selected as a holder of the Okinawa Prefecture Intangible Cultural Asset for “Okinawan Karate and Kobudo.”

The very first designation for this cultural asset was made in 1997, and WMKA founder Nagamine Shoshin O’Sensei was one of the original recipients. Now, 29 years later, Taira Kaicho becomes the second master from Matsubayashi-Ryu to receive this recognition, continuing the legacy of O’Sensei.

We are humbled to announce that Yosh*taka Taira Kaicho (President of the World Matsubayashi-Ryu Karate-Do Association) has been officially selected as a holder of the Okinawa Prefecture Intangible Cultural Asset for “Okinawan Karate and Kobudo.” This designation was announced by the Okinawa Pref...

07/15/2026

07/09/2026

During the last half hour of tonight's July 9, 2026 class at the Penobscot Bay YMCA we'll be practicing some Tonfa kata. It's always a good time to embark on a new path that intrigues you!

07/03/2026

Congratulations to Seven Soucy on his promotion to Nikyu (brown belt) on Tuesday evening at the Penobscot Bay YMCA .
He's been working hard and it shows!! 👏👏 Keep on coming through the door to the Dojo!

06/30/2026

A new session starts at the Penobscot Bay YMCA this evening. Classes continue Tuesday & Wednesday evenings at 6 p.m., and Saturday mornings at 10:30 a.m. We continue to feature a Matayoshi kobudo class on Saturdays at 9 a.m. as well. Message us for more info!

Located at the Penobscot Bay YMCA, the Rockland Matsubayashi-Ryu Dojo is the oldest dojo in Maine dedicated to practicing traditional Matsubayashi Shorin-ryu karate.

06/22/2026

A huge thank you to Sunday Strolls Rockland and Rockland Main Street for organizing such a wonderful Summer Solstice/Sunday Stroll combined event, and for inviting us to train in public as a part of it. Great job by Justin Keller, Steve Mumford, and Mary Ann Heinzen-Hackett on their terrific concentration during this public training/demonstration!

06/21/2026

Today, Sunday, June 21's the day. Come check out a (very) small, but mighty group from our dojo on Main Street near Tillson Ave in Rockland, at 12:30 PM. We'll be working on Kata, Bunkai, Yakusoku Kumite, and Kobudo.
Have questions about our classes? Come on by and ask us in person. 👍👍

06/19/2026

Congratulations again to Mary Ann Heinzen-Hackett who received her Nidan certificate from Okinawa during last night's class at the Penobscot Bay YMCA. We're so lucky to have her in our dojo! おめでとうございます!