Maybe Sisyphus Had It Right
I had the honor of writing the USRK Technique of the Week for May 3rd, 2026. Here is the message sent out to the mailing list: Onegai shimasu, Hanshi, Sensei, and all Deshi – Students of Karate often get discouraged by the doldrums of repetition. They get frustrated that...
Technique of the Week
For years, Ueshiro Shorin-Ryu Karate USA has maintained a mailing list for dues-paying members of the organization. One of the services of that membership is not just the list, but a weekly “Technique of the Week” (a partial archive is available), written by a Shihan or other member of...
Karate Philosophies
Sho-Shin In his book Zen Mind, Beginner’s Mind, the Zen teacher Shunryu Suzuki writes: In the beginner’s mind there are many possibilities, in the expert’s mind there are few. Shunryu Suzuki Approach your karate, and really any opportunity to learn, as a “curious fool”. The Zen concept, “beginner’s mind”...
Learning a New Kata
It is always a special moment when my Sensei says, “Let’s learn a new kata.” It happened for me just this past weekend, and over eight years into my training, it is still a thrill. While I know that there is always more to learn within the kata I...
World Karate Day
Okinawa celebrates World Karate Day each year on October 25th. Enjoy this clip of what appears to be hundreds (or thousands?) of karateka performing kata Fukyugata Ichi in the street....
Sho-Shin: “Beginner’s Mind”
In the beginner’s mind, there are many possibilities, but in the expert’s mind there are few. Shunryū Suzuki Today, we received the endorsement from Hanshi Robert Scalione to found this new branch of Ueshiro Shorin-Ryu Karate. In the spirit of Sho-Shin (初心), “beginner’s mind”, I welcome everyone who is...
