Head Instructor - Sensei Nate Mason, Godan

   Nate Mason is a Sensei of the All Okinawan Shorin-Ryu Kenshin Kan Karate and Kobudo Federation and the Okinawa Shorin Ryu Matsumura Seito Karate and Kobudo Federation under the direction of Hanshi Fusei Kise of Okinawa, Japan.  He is a Godan, 5th Dan (Degree) Blackbelt, in Shorin-Ryu Matsumura Seito (Kenshin Kan) and a student of Sensei Stan Wilbur, Rokudan (6th Degree).  He has been instructing since 1993.  He opened the Cherryfield branch of Eastern Maine Karate in September of 1995, began instructing at the Mount Desert Island YMCA in January of 1998, and recently opened the Southwest Harbor Branch on January 1, 2004.  There are currently 13 adult and 3 junior ranked  black belts in our schools, one Nidan ranked black belt who operates the Blue Hill dojo, one Nidan ranked black belt who operates the East Machias dojo, one Nidan ranked black belt who operates the Harrington dojo, one Shodan who operates the Swans Island dojo, one Shodan who instructs at the Trenton dojo,  and ten Shodan ranked black belts who assist in the regular classes.

    He has traveled may times to Okinawa, Japan to train with Hanshi Kise.  In March of 2006 he was honored to travel with Hanshi to Kyoto, Japan to tour the ancient temples and palaces.  He also traveled to Tsukenjima, an island of the eastern coast of Okinawa to meet Sensei Akamine, one of the last true kobudo masters and the last master of the Tsuken Bo kata.  On his last trip, in March of 2007, he was able to participate in the annual Budokan Martial Arts Demonstration in Naha City, Okinawa.

  Sensei Mason's senior assistant instructor, and wife, Becky Mason, is a Sandan 3rd (Degree) Blackbelt.  She is also a student of Sensei Stan Wilbur and co-owner of Eastern Maine Karate.

    He has a bachelor's degree from the University of Maine in Environmental Science, with minors in Chemistry and Biology.  He currently works as an Environmental Consultant, and Regional Supervisor for R.T. Allens of Ellsworth, Maine and operates a blueberry harvesting company in Eastern Maine.

    Sensei Mason and his wife Becky are also the proud parents of  two, a little girl Samantha and their son Nathan IV.

 

 

 

Personal History

  • Started formal training in Shorin-Ryu Matsumura Seito in 1993.

  • Started the Cherryfield branch of Eastern Maine Karate on September 1, 1995.

  • Promoted to Shodan (1st Degree Black Belt) on May 18, 1996.

  • Re-established the Jonesport branch of Eastern Maine Karate on October 1, 1996.

  • Opened the Winter Harbor branch of Eastern Maine Karate in February 1997.

  • Started the Bar Harbor branch of Eastern Maine Karate at the MDI YMCA on January 3, 1998.

  • Received his Shodan in Kobudo on July 11, 1998.

  • Promoted to Nidan (2nd Degree Black Belt) on July 11, 1998.

  • Certified as an International Police Self Defense Instructor on May 2, 1999.

  • Received his Nidan in Kobudo on June 10, 2000.

  • Promoted to Sandan (3rd Degree Black Belt) on June 10, 2000.

  • Opened the Southwest Harbor branch of Eastern Maine Karate on January 1, 2004.

  • Promoted to Yondan (4th Degree Black Belt) on May 22, 2004.

  • Traveled to Okinawa, Japan to train with Hanshi Fusei Kise, and Kaicho Isao Kise on October 6, 2004

  • Traveled to Okinawa, Japan a second time to train with Hanshi and Kaicho Kise on February 27, 2006.

  • Personally promoted to the rank of Godan (5th Degree Black Belt) by Hanshi Fusei Kise on March 7, 2006 in the Hombu (Main) Dojo in Okinawa.

  • Traveled to Kyoto, Japan and toured with Hanshi Fusei Kise and Sensei Stan Wilbur.   March 9-12, 2006.

  • Traveled back for a third time to Okinawa, Japan.  Brought senior instructors to train and meet with Hanshi Kise and participated in the annual Budokan martial arts demonstration in the city of Naha. March 1-10, 2007

  • Trains regularly with his teacher Sensei Stan Wilbur.

  • Attends and hosts annual seminars with Hanshi Fusei Kise, and Kaicho Isao Kise.