I welcome all e-mail and will answer everyone in as timely a manner as possible. Don't be surprised if you find (or don't find) your message in this section. However, if you are concerned about your letter finding its way into the "Mailbag", simply include in the header or at the beginning of message "personal" and I will honor your request. GEM

Dojo Updates and other nice news!

Hello Everybody!

I wanted to let you know that I updated the Website today. Thank you Bianca Ruehlig for coming in and teaching me how to update pictures and information.

Check it out!

www.1shoken.com

Robin

Hi Robin:

Excellent job with the website.

Please give my best regards to Sensei Doug Achterberg and fellow students.

Best from Boston,
George Mattson

Thanks George.

Thanks to your website we've had three new students join our group in the past 30 days. We're thinking about bringing you out here again perhaps next year. Paul will be talking with you at the summer camp about it.

I will be in RI on that weekend but unfortunately I will not be able to come to the camp. I'll be with my Dad helping him get his affairs in order.

He's losing his fight with cancer and it may not be long now.

Jerry McDonald

Hi Jerry:

We were all very happy to see you at camp this year. Congratulations on your 6th dan promotion. Sorry to hear about your dad. GEM

Hi Mr Mattson,

I am a 2nd Dan Uechi-Ryu Karate student in Liverpool (UK), my instructor is Jimmy Walker. We have actually met at a summer camp a few years ago.

As part of a masters degree project, I have put together a CD Rom to help new students get aquainted with the basics of Uechi-Ryu Karate. I have posted a sample page at -

http://uk.geocities.com/gicaldwell/

I have called the project the 'Virtual Dojo' and have now noticed that you have posted a 'Virtual Dojo' on your web ring. Out of continued respect, I think that it would be considerate to ask you if you would be happy with me calling my project 'The Virual Dojo' or if you think this may cause a problem.

Please be assured that this project is not intended to be released for any profit but is just a new way of helping new students to understand the basics of the style (history, warm ups etc).

I will be happy to change the name if you feel that it is unsuitable.

Many thanks for your time.

Graeme Caldwell

Hi Graeme:

No problem. You have my permission to use “Virtual Dojo”. If possible, please mentioned somewhere on your cd that you are using the name with permission; otherwise it may be judged to be “public domain”.

Thanks and good luck. If you send me a copy, I’ll promote it on my site.

Searching for a Dojo or Person

george,

i used to train with walter in downtown framingham as a kid, then with jack summers in orlando fl.

i would like to resume my training ( green belt with brown stripe was as far as i got) here in san diego, ca. or north county.

any affiliates out here?

best success,

chris mazza,

SummerFest News!

Thank you very much for a memorable 3 days. (July 30 - Aug1st) It was like a fantastic journey! Even though my daughter and wife are not martial artist, they enjoyed seeing such a nice group of people. I'll sure participate in Summerfest again.

Scott, Marilyn and Jessi Higa

George,

I am putting together memory books from the SummerFest/JuniorFest weekend for Forrest and Zack. At one point you had the logo for SummerFest on the Eastern Arts web page, and now I cannot locate it. Would you be kind enough to email me a .jpg of the logo (the same one that is on the t-shirt)? I'd like to print it for the first page in the memory book.

As soon as I get some free time, I will email you with our comments and suggestions about the JuniorFest program. The boys had a great time and would like to attend next year.

Thanks again,
Jen Elliott

Tournament News and Comments!

Sensei Mattson:

It was nice meeting you on Saturday at the competition. As you requested, attached are photos of the three charts that Sawyer prepared as part of his 5th Grade Individual Learning Project ("ILP").

He received an A+ and the class voted his presentation as the Class favorite. The presentation included a verbal section on the history of Uechi-Ryu, a demonstration of Kata, and an interview with his Sensei Fred Channell. It was capped by a sampling of sushi for the class.

Also attached is a photo of Sawyer and his Junior Division Grand Championship trophies in both Kumite and Point Fighting and his Gold medal in Point Fighting and a Silver medal in Kumite.

Mitch Paine

Sensei Mattson,
On behalf of Steven Boudreau, Steven Brown and myself, I would like to thank you and your students for allowing us to be part of last weeks Uechi-Ryu Championships , as well as those folks that helped set up and work the tables for us during the event. Running such a tournament truly is a team effort.

It was exciting to see how quickly the officials adopted to the criteria when judging kata and were very open to learning the rules for sparring. As the level of officiating rises, so will the technical ability of the competitors. We have seen this happen dramatically in our own Tsuruoka family, so the potential is limitless.

I am looking forward to seeing and training along side your students next week at Stephen Perry’s ‘Shugyo’ in North Hampton. Once again , if there is anything we can do to help , do not hesitate to ask. Although after seeing the way Sensei Perry’s people move in the ring Saturday we may be asking for the pointers.
Yours in karate-do

Sensei R. Fagan

Point - Counter Point!

I see web sites that state "Shohei-Ryu formerly known as Uechi-Ryu".

As far as my training has brought me I find this disrespectful.

I would greatly value your thoughts on this.

Ed Jones

Hi Ed:The name of the organization and style was not changed because the group wanted to do this. According to the information I have, Kanmei Uechi (son of Kanei and grandson of Kanbun) demanded that the breakaway group not use his family's name, pictures or association with his family. I also understand that the courts have given the group a certain time limit in which to change all the physical kata/bunkai/drills associated with Uechi-ryu. GEM

Looking for a Dojo or Instructor!

Subject: Late bloomer

I am writing you in regards if you can give me information on how I may be able to start my training again. I live in South Florida. I am 28 years removed from my last dojo where I was a Student as well as teacher in Ted Kreses school in St Pete Florida. I studied fro 4 years and received my 1st dan. I want to be able to start again any suggestions?. Thank you.

Dave Illel

Hi Dave:

What part of South Florida?

28 years ago. . . Wow, that was about the same time as when I visited Ted’s dojo and taught for a couple of days while visiting.

Why not plan to come up and attend our annual SummerFest on Cape Cod at the end of this month? I’m sure you would enjoy meeting the many teachers and students from around the world.

Uechi-ryu is a “lifetime” art and now is a good time to get back involved.

We have special teacher’s programs and seminars for people of all ranks and skill levels.

We had a dojo in Ft Lauderdale a few years ago, but the teacher moved and the dojo closed. I’ll try to locate some of the guys who were working out to see if any of them might be interested in setting up a study group.

Please stay in touch and please continue to work out. I put out a monthly newsletter which you can subscribe to (free) and I conduct seminars on our on-line conference center. But meantime, check out our SummerFest and hopefully you can come up and join our weekend reunion. ( http://www.uechi-ryu.com/summerfest/ )

Best,

George Mattson

http://uechi-ryu.com

General Questions!

Subject: Question....

Hello,

I had studied Uechi-Ryu many years ago, and I am thinking about starting again. I am confused about the "split", though. It seems to be a rather touchy subject, and I can't really find any information about what is what, on the internet. Could you tell me what the differences are between Uechi-Ryu and Shohei-Ryu? Is this just a "political" change, or did the teachings change as well?

Thank you very much for your time!

Sincerely,

Michael Lutton

Hi Michael:

Quite a lot has been written about the “split” that can be found on the Uechi-ryu.com website. Essentially, it was caused by personal conflicts between Kanmei Uechi and members of the original “SOKE” board following Kanei Uechi’s death.

Although the new spinoff Uechi-ryu has made some minor changes in the physical methods, most of the Uechi world continue to practice the style as it was done during Kanei Uechi’s lifetime.

The major change has been that many of the spin-off organizations issue their own rank certificates . . . which are recognized by all the other organizations.

Best,

George Mattson

Hello Mr. Mattson,
I have been doing some research on the Chinese origins of Uechi, I know much has already been done and that you have participated. I got a tape from you some years ago on the lost Suparimpei Kata, question, do you really believe the form Simon L.
( I forgot his last name) showed on that tape is the missing Suparimpei? Do you have a video of a Uechi man doing this form that would make the Uechi in it clearer? Also do you have Simon L.s E-mail Address or any other way I can contact him.

We have spoken on the phone several times in the past and you have always been helpful.
I have admiration for your contribution to the Karate of America.

I trust you are well,

Joe Lopez

Mr. Mattson,

Let me quickly introduce myself, and ask what I hope is a trivial favor. My name is Mark Little, I've been practicing Kempo since the late 70's at various schools in eastern Mass. My curiosity has led me to seek out multiple sources of information, and I've found your forums to be excellent, particularly those of Mr. Canna, Mr. Glasheen, and Panther. I don't recall if I've registered, and if I have I'm sure I haven't posted (I'm not shy, and the fact that I'm not a Uechi practioner has no bearing). But I do find the discourse and ideas quite interesting. When I do post to an internet forum I find that if I'm not careful about what I say and how I say it my ideas and intent can be easily confused. Hence, it does take a bit of time to get my thoughts out, so I've been selective about where I've chosen to interact so far. I'm hoping to join you folks on-line soon.

Now the favor. I really like the avatar attached to your posts. Can you point me to a source where I can get a high resolution copy of the image?

Thanks,

Mark

Hi Mark:

Thanks for the note and kind words about our site. Please register and get involved with the forums.

Regarding the “avatar” I use. I can’t even remember where I got it. It was on a website that specialized in these things. They are too small for printing since the idea is to keep the pixal size very small. If I come across the site again I’ll drop you a line.

Best,

George Mattson

Responses from Previous MailBag Entries

Dear George,

Martin from Bournemouth here.

I am travelling back to Yong Chun Fu Jian in August. So sorry no able to see you on the way - so another year...I will get my forms tuned and hopefully some more 2 man excercises to play with. Who knows, may be even a new form. Will take video camera this time.

I am keeping an eye out also for karate links. Do you know a Hing-Poon.Chan. He is an American Gojo practitioner.
He told me Uechi is from Chou Shi-Wou and that they still practice this style in TaiWan. I have looked through your site looking for more information but found none. In particular I would liket to know where in Fujian this is from. If you could point me in the direction of a good article that would be great.

I have a site for my group here www.fujianbaihe.com with crane training AVIs for them whilst I am away. When I come back I hope to put more Yong Chun based research on it. (also put you on the links page - hope you don't mind ).

Best wishes for you and your family, and have a good summer camp,

Martin Watts

Just writing to suggest that you put an html link to the web site in the newsletter.

All the best

Maureen Sless

Thanks for the tip Maureen.

Guess I just assumed everyone who subscribed to the Newsletter, did so from the Uechi-ryu.com website.

I'll correct that next month.

Best,
George

Memorial to Uechi-ryu Practitioners

Copyright Patriot Ledger May 6, 2004

QUINCY - Carmine A. DiRamio, 77, of Mystic, Conn., formerly of Quincy and Braintree, a retired Quincy police officer, died April 10 at a hospital in Mystic from complication of diabetes.

Mr. DiRamio was a Quincy police officer for 40 years and former president of the police officers' union. He retired in 1991. In 1955, former Chief William Ferrazzi commended him for excellent work when he caught three teenagers driving a stolen car. The group was later linked to several car thefts.

A martial arts enthusiast, Mr. DiRamio was a certified self- defense instructor for 25 years. He studied under George Mattson at Mattson Academy.

He was director and co-owner of the Institute of Okinawan Karate, previously located in Braintree and Quincy. He was a second-degree black belt and was recognized by Black Belt magazine in 1966 for his work in demonstrating the value of karate in law enforcement work. He was a Navy veteran of World War II and served aboard the Quincy- built destroyer USS Boyle.

Mr. DiRamio held the Massachusetts middleweight boxing title from 1949 to 1951.

Husband of the late Helen V. (Keating) DiRamio and the late Barbara Ann (Young) DiRamio, he is survived by a son, Robert DiRamio of Duxbury; two daughters, Joan Curtin of Randolph and Betty Greenberg-DiRamio of Sandwich; two stepsons, Thomas Postell of Quincy and Joseph Postell of Braintree; two brothers, Alfonso DiRamio of Clearwater, Fla., and Edward DiRamio of Quincy; two sisters, Grace Fitzgerald of Bedford and Frances Salvatori of Quincy; seven grandchildren, four step-grandchildren and a great- granddaughter; and many nieces and nephews.

A memorial service will be held at 9 a.m. Monday at St. Ann's Church, 757 Hancock St., Wollaston. Arrangements were made by Dinoto Funeral Home, Mystic.

Nice Things Happening to Good People!

Hi there:
My husband has been training and "cross-training" for the past 10 years. Our 25th Anniversary is coming up and I would be interested in any information you may have about a Dojo in Okinawa where he might be able to study for about a month. Can you help me find one?

Also, I attended high school on Okinawa and would like to revisit, too.

I would appreciate any info you may have, or other people I may contact.

Thank you.

Tamara Bowman
 

Changes and Updates to Note.

Dear sensei,
just a note to let you know I have opened a new dojo in Florida . My knew address is 101 N. Ridgewood Ave, Edgewater Florida. My school is about 25 minutes south of Daytona bch. Any Uechi practionors visiting the area are welcome to visit and train. The dojo phone number is 386 428 2003.

e-mail is pack4@ucnsb.net. Would you please change this on the instructor link site.Also recently I was at Frank Gormans dojo with Nakamatsu sensei and had some wonderful training sessions.
Regards
Bob Otto

Parting Shots!

These are pretty funny. .

Learn Chinese in 5 minutes...(You MUST read them out loud)

1) That's not right ........................... Sum Ting Wong

2) Are you harboring a fugitive?....................Hu Yu Hai Ding

3) See me ASAP....................................... Kum Hia Nao

4) Stupid Man ........................................... Dum Fuk

5) Small Horse .......................................... Tai Ni Po Ni

6) Did you go to the beach? .........................Wai Yu So Tan

7) I bumped into a coffee table .............Ai Bang Mai Fa Kin Ni

8) I think you need a face lift ........................Chin Tu Fat

9) It's very dark in here ..................................Wao So Dim

10) I thought you were on a diet ....................Wai Yu Mun Ching

11) This is a tow away zone ..........................No Pah King

12) Our meeting is scheduled for next week ... Wai Yu Kum Nao

13) Staying out of sight ..................................Lei Ying Lo

14) He's cleaning his automobile .....................Wa Shing Ka

15) Your body odor is offensive ........................Yu Stin Ki Pu



16) Great ........ Fa Kin Su Pah

Peter A. Papoutsis

See you next month

GEM

Copyright 2003 Eastern Arts & Humanities Center, Inc. All rights reserved.