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!

Sensei, Here is the official invite for our 2nd annual training camp. We are really looking forward to it.

Imagine a Uechi sponsored and run training camp on Shiai kumite.

Last year we had only a few people outside our dojo come to the training camp, besides the 20 from Sensei Fagan. We can only cross our fingers and hope for more support this year.

Thank you for your support. Looking forward to the tournament June 5th.

If you have any questions please let me know.

Best, Andrew Moores

 N. Hampton, NH: 603-964-1555

Hi Andrew:
I hope all our Uechi dojo will take advantage of this wonderful opportunity to learn the very latest tournament skills, taught by today's leading martial art sport karate experts. Tournament competition today is a skill and art that requires training that was unavailable and unknown years ago. Don't take my word for it. Call Andrew and sign up for a truly world-class program. GEM

Sensei Mattson:

ghostlyI saw your website on the net.  I had thought Uechi-ryu was pretty quiet outside Okinawa.  But I had met a black belt here in Florida.  We spend much time on arm and hand toughening, unlike other styles of karate.  Outside of myself leading kicking drills, counting to 10 repeatedly in Japanese, we did little kicking. 

Perhaps you can recognize the mostly black belts in the photos.  I'm the tall American in a T-shirt.  I wonder if the Americans shown are still with Uechi-ryu.  At that time Kanei and his son, ran the school.  These pictures are January 1978 I believe or slightly earlier.  You can keep them as they came from old photographs scanned into my computer.  Is there a way to refresh my knowledge of Uechi-ryu? 

God bless you and your endeavors,

Anthony D'Angelo

Mr. Matson:

The Te Ryu Dojo is part of the night for profit organization be North East Center for spiritual growth.  Our founder, Richard Kilmer, a second degree black belt with over 16 years of martial arts experience, founded the dojo in 1996.  Sensei Kilmer emphasized one of the least known, but most honorable traditions of the martial arts-back of "learning through giving ".  Giving to others is and honorable, long-standing tradition of the martial arts and the foundation of a Te Ryu dojo experience.  Since 1996 many students and parents have accepted this challenge.  Our current sense a, assistant instructor is, stewart's, and members of the Board of Directors all donate their time to the school.  There is no monetary charge for being a student of they Te Ryu dojo.  You cannot pay to be a member of our dojo, you have to earn it through community service.

Anyone with an open mind and willing spirit can learn !Our students are men, women, and children of all ages and abilities.  (The minimum age is 6, however, five-year-old children may join its accompanied by a participating parent ).  We teach the martial arts in a supportive, family-oriented environment.  We enjoy and encourage parents to learn and grow with their children!  Instruction at the Te Ryu dojo emphasizes the highest traditions of the martial arts, promoting self-confidence, self-esteem, self-discipline, respect for others, and a "sense of service".

sincerely,

Bernard Babendreir
Sensei

Susan & George... Just a quick note on who we are! my son and I team to observe the tournament last year and a good time! Thank you for accepting our tournament applications a little late.

Tournament News

Hello Sensei Mattson. I hope this message finds you and Mrs. Mattson well.

Sensei Wharton informed me that you would be coming down to Bemuda this November to attend the tournament and conduct a grading, and asked me to forward information about the tournament to you, as follows:

Al Wharton's Bermuda Arts and Fitness Academy 10th Annual Invitational Championships

Date: Sunday Nov 7th, 2004

This is an all styles open invitiational tournament with junior/ adult, male/female, individual/team divisions in the following event categories:

Empty Hand Form (karate, kung fu, tai chi) Weapon form Free Sparring Push Hands Self Defence Breaking Continuous fighting

Sensei Al is planning a banquet for Saturday night Nov 6th.

I have contacted the Rosemont Guest House (441-2921055 Karen Olson) and they are offering us a corporate rate for overseas guests. The property is located just outside Hamilton and is ideal for the proposed tournament location. They will put aside up to a maximum of 8 rooms (up to four persons to a room). The rate per room per night (based on double occupancy) including taxes is as follows:

2 person 3 person 4 person

Poolside $199.43 +24.45 +48.90

Garden $196 +24.45 +48.90

Those people coming down will need to make their own arrangements with Karen at Rosemont. I mentioned to her that it was likely that peope would come down on the Saturday and leave on the Tuesday, but there is flexibility built in. Participants just have to mention that they are coming down for the tournament to get the corporate rate.

Looking forward to seeing you soon

Richard Gibbons
 

Subject: Adult Uechi tourny

Mattson Sensei,

I just finished reading your letter re: Uechi and tournaments.

I am sure you realize that Alan Dollar ran very successful adult Uechi tourny's here on the West Coast for many years that attracted good turnouts.

For our organization, bringing a group of kids and adults to MA for your Uechi tourny is quite an expensive proposition. There are some dojos within our organization that have 200 or more students and are still growing! Our dojos do stress all types of sparring and I am quite sure that you would have significant support on this side of the country

Alternating the tournaments between the West Coast, Midwest and East Coast would give all regions a greater chance of participation.

Please advise your thoughts on the matter.

Thanks,

Mike DeDonato www.okikukai.org

Thanks for your thoughts on the subject Michael. The purpose of my editorial was to stimulate interest in other parts of the country in this type of tournament. No reason there can't be tournaments in every region with eventual revolving "World Championships" being held in different areas every year.

Although Alan Dollar's tournaments did get good participation, they were still based on the "old" style tournaments with few trained officials and very little control exercised in the contact area. I was there for his last one and know how much trouble the officiating was for him. He worked so hard, but it was difficult for him to "tell" his seniors how to officiate. All he could do was give out the rules. He couldn't make the officials follow them. (Same on Okinawa with the same results)

If tournaments are ever going to rebound within the Uechi world, we have to adopt the AAU/WKF rules and get our officials trained to enforce the rules fairly and uniformly for all competitors. I've seen every type of tournament and believe what we are attempting to do June 5th is the only solution. We must accept the fact that sport karate is just that... a sport. We must accept the rules and enforce the rules. Competitors are people with lives outside the dojo. Most of them must go to work Monday and can't take the chance that they will be laid up for a month because some Joker decided to fight "full contact" while he was pulling his techniques.

Once we get over the Macho Ego thing about Uechi toughness, we can accept the fact that points can be made using excellent techniques, balance, timing and control.... Not just by hitting hard.

Will this happen? Only if the old timers swallow their pride and start thinking about their students.

I know one thing... If I can't make it work, not too many others will give it a try.

I sure would like to see the West Coast run their event. I'd help any way possible. You certainly have the talent.

Best, George
 

 Subject: June Newsletter

Sensei Mattson,

I enjoyed reading your June newsletter. My son, David Jelley Jr., studies Uechi-Ryu under Sensei Gary Khoury, is an I.U.K.F. member and has been an AAU member for 2 years. We have found that when we go to the AAU tournaments, it seems the judges are not familiar with Uechi-Ryu style karate. We have found that the karate style katas typical of AAU tournaments are slower, longer and more "flashy". Those types of katas typically score higher. We try to adapt our traditional Uechi katas for that style of judging but it is not an easy task. Is it possible to adapt our style for these tournaments without compromising the traditional karate that we know and love?

We look forward to seeing you at the June 5th Junior Championships.

Sincerely, Michelle Jelley

Hi Michelle:

Once a few Uechi dojo joins AAU, they will see more of our kata and understand how they are supposed to be performed. It is a shame, but uechi-ryu was the first Okinawan system introduced to the Western world. We should have a huge group of students participating in these tournaments. What a shame.

Best, George

News from our Friends

Mattson Sensei

How have you been, Sir ? This is Hiro Uechi. Today, I 'd like to just say hello. I keep on training Karate in Tokyo. I always read your home page & newsletter joyfully. Sometimes, I remember Boston. That was great time. I wish that I can meet you again. Thank you.

Sincerely.
Hiro

Hi Hiroaki:

Good to hear from you. We miss you in Boston and at the "Hut". Please say hello to your sensei and all the students at your dojo. Hopefully one day they will all be able to visit us and attend SummerFest.

Best, George
 

Greetings and Salutations Mr Mattson.

I hope all is well in the Boston area and in the Uechi world. I am grateful for the updates to Uechi Ryu and hope to be a more active participant in the near future. Included in that hope is a new web site and a hopefully a partnership with Steve to expand here in Albuquerque.

The reason this is a future hope rather than a work-in-progress, is because of what I hope will be my final extended technical training for the Air Force. In 3 weeks I will find myself settling in for a 3 month jaunt at Keesler AFB in Biloxi, MS. Of course I am looking for a possible connection to work out with while in the south. I checked the dojo directory and found someone in Ft Polk, LA but was unsuccessful in contacting them. If you know of someone great, if not I am tentatively planning to attend summer camp.

Thanks. Best regards,

Dan Maestas
 

Hello Sensei,

Stuart Killen suggested I contact you directly in regard to Summer Camp this year. I studied in Halifax with Sensei Maloney and was tested by you for Black Belt in Nov/75. It's hard to believe it was that long ago.

Duncan Macleod and I started a Uechi school in Cape Breton. I moved to B.C. in '81 and have stayed in good shape. After all these years, I've decided I'd like to get tested, if possible. I'm interested in doing some teaching and don't feel I'd have a lot of credibility as a Shodan.

I'd appreciate any information you can provide about Summer Camp - dates, location, etc. I live In Vancouver so there is considerable travel involved and I need to plan well ahead.

Respectfully, John Waye
 

Dear Mr Mattson, 
 
Please adapt the contact data for my dojo as listed in: 
http://uechi-ryu.com/oldsite/dojolist.htm#International 
for Belgium: 
 
to: 
 
Patrick Wauters 
Patrick.Wauters@uechi-ryu.be 
http://www.uechi-ryu.be 
Vredestraat 20 
2850 Boom 
Belgium 
tel +32 3 888 08 96 
 
Thank you and regards, 
 
Patrick.

Dear Sensei Mattson,

Thanks for your permission for translating the article. Below is the link to the article: http://cablemodem.fibertel.com.ar/diegokarate/articulos/whatsnew_may25.html

And this is the link to the main page of the site: http://cablemodem.fibertel.com.ar/diegokarate/index.html


You will also notice that there are another articles translated from your site, all them have a reference including author and a link to http://www.uechi-ryu.com . It is not a commercial site (I do not sell anything there), it is just a personal site, the main purpose of my site is sharing information pertaining to Uechi-ryu with people who do not read/speak English.

I hope next year could participate in the Championship again.

My best regards, Diego

PD: if you think that any information in my site or in the article is inaccurate, please feel free to let my know and I will change it.
 

Hi Diego:
Please feel free to translate and post any articles I have written on your website. GEM
 

Looking for Dojo or Instructor:

 Subject: Searchiong for Steve Wilson

Dear Mr. Mattson:

I "surfed" to your web site while trying to locate a former friend by the name of Steve Wilson, who would be 61 years old now if still alive. There was a Okinawan style practioner by that name who corresponded with you in 1998 and posted on your web site.

The Mr. Wilson I am seeking was awarded his 1st dan in 1967 at a dojo close to either Naha or Kadena air base. He was in the Air Force at the time. He and I used to practice Tang So Do in California together before he went to Okinawa.

Might the Mr. Wilson you corresponded with and the one I am trying to locate be one and the same?

Thank you for any assistance you might afford me.

Tom Winn twinn17@comcast.net

I don't know if he is or not. You might post something on our forums, since most martial artist visit there from time to time. I'll also post something in my June mailbag.

Best, George
 

Hello, My name is  Kelly (Neville)Young  a former student of peter mcrae I was Looking for a dojo closer to wareham ma then peters and to see if I could put my sons in a class if there old enough I love uechi ryu , I want them to experience it also
Thank you for your time
Kelly Young

Subject: LA sensei
Dear Sensei Mattson: I am a student of Ed Huff and am looking for a good Uechi instructor in Los Angeles. Ed suggested that I check with you and that you might know of someone out there.
Thanks.
Edgar (Ned) Buttner, M.D., Ph.D.

I'm not sure who is in Los Angeles, but I'm sure Henry Thom will help you: Henry B. Thom: Hercules CA: (510) 245-0567. [email: henrythom@juno.com] Best, George ps. Stay in touch and good luck
  -----------------------------------------------------------------------------

Thanks so much. Yes, I will hope to see you again at one of the regional meetings. Ed is a very special person, and I feel quite priveleged that so many of the great Uechi instructors happen to be in New England. Take care.

- Ned

Too Good To Be True Tales

TRANS-NATIONAL LOTTO UK. 59 LUFFIELD ROAD, ABBEYWOOD SE2 9JW. LONDON. UNITED KINGDOM.


FROM: THE DESK OF THE PROMOTIONS MANAGER, INTERNATIONAL PROMOTIONS/PRIZE AWARD DEPARTMENT, REF:TN/NLT/15-CC1144 AND BATCH NO:13/7014/MFD.

ATTENTION: Sir/Madam, RE/AWARD NOTIFICATION

We are pleased to inform you of the announcement today 2nd of June 2004, of winners of THE TRANS-NATIONAL LOTTO PROGRAMS held on the 31st of MARCH, 2004 as part of our FIRST QUARTER of the year bonanza. You or your company, attached to ticket number 034-1416-4612-750, with serial number 6521-11 drew the lucky numbers 31-51-22-24-39-43, and consequently won the lottery in category C. You have therefore been approved for a lump sum pay out of US$2.000.000.00 in cash credited to file REF:TN/NLT/15-cc1144

This is from total prize money of US$8,500,000.00 shared among 5 winners in this category. All participants were selected through a computer balloting system drawn from 96,000 names from Middle East, Asia, Africa, Canada, Europe and North America and Oceania as part our International Promotions Program, which is conducted annually.

CONGRATULATIONS!

Your fund is now deposited with GLOBAL TRUST & SECURITIES, a security House insured in your name. Due to the mix up of some numbers and names, we ask that you keep this award strictly from public notice until your claim has been processed and your money remitted to your account. This is part of our security protocol to avoid double claiming or unscrupulous acts by participants of this program.

We hope with a part of your prize, you will participate in our end of year high stakes US$1.3 Billion International Lottery. To begin your claim, please contact your claims agent;

MR CONRAD BLAKE GLOBAL TRUST & SECURITIES, LONDON. U.K. SATELITE PHON : +8821646655078 TEL: +447796528593 FAX: +448707622041. EMAIL: Conrad_blake@mynetaddress.com EMAIL: conrad_blake@your-house.com


for due processing and remittance of your prize money to a designated account of your choice. Remember, you must contact your claims agent not later than 12th ofJune, 2004. After this date, all funds will be returned as unclaimed. All correspondences to MR. CONRAD BLAKE, either by fax or email, should have this EMAIL sent along with it and also, your FULL ADDRESS, YOUR COUNTRY OF RESIDENCE, TEL/FAX NUMBERS and your EMAIL ADDRESS to which this email is sent, should be clearly and BOLDLY WRITTEN IN YOUR RESPONSE with your claims agent.

NOTE: In order to avoid unnecessary delays and complications, please remember to quote your reference and batch numbers in every one of your correspondences with your agent. Furthermore, should there be any change of your address, do inform your claims agent as soon as possible. Congratulations again from all our staff and thank you for being part of our promotions program.

Sincerely,

MELISSA TORUN. THE PROMOTIONS MANAGER, THE TRANS-NATIONAL LOTTO UK.

N.B. Any breach of confidentiality on the part of the winners will result to disqualification. Please do not reply to this mail. Contact your claims agent. ----------------------------------------------

See you next month

GEM

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