April, 2001 Mailbag

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HI my name is Jordan Francis. I am from Eskasoni Nova Scotia. I used to go to Uechi Ryu Karate, but a knee problem developed. I am going to a specialist for my knee now. I can't attend class because my knee swells and get very painfull halfway through the class. The doctor said that i have either a cartilage tear or cartilage deterioration. They are going to put a light and camera in there to see the problem. I still want to maintain my studies in Uechi Ryu but cannot. I saw a book that you once wrote it was called Uechi Ryu Karate, I cannot find this book any place. Do you still have any maybe used ones? I think if I can't do Uechi RYu physically I can at least read about it. I already read the other book you wrote " The Way of Karate" I think? Its a black book with you doing a flying kick. This was a great book I really got alot of help with it. My instructor is Danny MacDougall. Please E-mail me

Thank YOu Jordan Francis

Hi Francis: Good to hear from you. Sorry about the knee problem. Hopefully this condition will improve with time.

Dave Hunt has copies of my book for sale. Please give him a call.

Let me know if you have any difficulties. By the way, have you checked out all the video clips on the Uechi site?

Best, George Mattson

Dear Mr. Mattson, I would first like to thank you for adding our Dojo to your list. Our School here in Louisiana is doing really well. We have been teaching for one month now and have 28 students enrolled in classes. We are quite happy as is our Sensei in Okinawa. My wife and I want to compete in your tournament in may. We do not have adobe reader, so we would like to know if you could have someone send us an application. Any help would be appreciated. Thanks for all the help.

Sincerely, Vince Leyva

Dharma Daishi (Bodhidharma in Sanskrit and Daruma Daishi in Japanese) was an Enlightened Hindu from India who is credited with re-teaching and reviving Hindu philosophy in China, originally spread to China by another Indian Hindu priest, Siddhartha, or Buddha, and then founding the martial arts. Buddhism is simply the worshipping of this enigmatic Hindu figure, called the Buddha, which means "incredible mind" in Sanskrit.

Bodhidharma, or Dharma Daishi, began his life in Southern India in the Sardilli family in 482 A.D. In the midst of his education and training to continue in his father's footsteps as king, Bodhidharma encountered the Buddha's original teachings. He immediately saw the truth in Lord Buddha's words and decided to give up his esteemed position as a prince and inheritance to study with the famous Hindu teacher Prajnatara. Dharma Daishi rapidly progressed in his Hindu studies, and in time, Prajnatara sent Dharma Daishi to China, in order to better teach the indigenous Chinese peoples the lessons and rigorous discipline required for perfect Hindu medititative states. Unfortunately, the Chinese people could not grasp the abstract concepts relating to this meditation, and so Dharma Daishi taught them incredibly rigorous physical lessons in order to teach them the necessary discipline required for the true Hindu meditaive jounrye which leads to "Moksha," or release from earthly bondage, otherwise known as "Nirvana." The physical exertions were used to train the body, and then hopefully, the mind would also become harder and more disciplined after these regimented actions. Dharma Daishi arrived in China after a brutal trek over Tibet's Himalayan Mountains surviving both the extreme elements and treacherous bandits.

Upon arrival in China, the Emperor Wu Ti, a devout Buddhist himself, requested an audience with Dharma. During their initial meeting, Wu Ti asked Dharma what merit he had achieved for all of his good deeds. Bodhidharma informed him that he had accrued none whatsoever. Bodhidharma was subsequently unable to convince Wu Ti of the value of the teachings he had brought from India. Bodhidharma then set out for Loyang, crossed the Tse River on a leaf, and climbed Bear's Ear Mountain in the Sung Mountain range where the Shaolin Temple was located. He meditated there in a small cave for nine years.

Dharma, in true Maha or "great" spirit, was moved to pity when he saw the terrible physical condition of the monks of the Shaolin Temple. It seemed to him that they were unable to fully grasp the enormous mental and abstract discipline necessary to achieve Nirvana, or the ultimate release destination derived from meditation. The monks had practiced long-term meditation retreats, which made them spiritually stronger, but physically weak and unable to finish their meditative journeys. He also noted that this meditation method caused sleepiness among the monks. Therefore Dharma informed the monks that he would teach their bodies and subsequently their minds the Buddha's dharma "duty" through a two-part program of meditation accompanied by excrutiatingly difficult physical training.

Dharma created an exercise program for the monks which involved physical techniques that were efficient, strengthened the body, and eventually, could be used practically in self-defense. When Dharma instituted these practices, his primary concern was to make the monks physically strong enough to withstand both their isolated lifestyle and the deceptively demanding training that meditation requires. It turned out that the techniques served a dual purpose as a very efficient fighting system, which evolved into a martial arts style given the Chinese name, "Kung Fu." Martial arts training helped the monks to defend themselves against invading warlords and bandits. Dharma taught that martial arts should be used for self-defense, and never to hurt or injure needlessly. In fact, it is one of the oldest Shaolin axioms that "one who engages in combat has already lost the battle."

Dharma, a member of the Indian Kshatriya warrior class and a master of staff fighting, developed a system of 18 dynamic tension exercises. These movements found their way into print in 550 A.D. as the Yi Gin Ching, or Changing Muscle/Tendon Classic. We know this system today as the Lohan (Priest-Scholar) 18 Hand Movements, the basis of Chinese Temple Boxing and the Shaolin Arts.

Some historians dispute the date, but legend states that Dharma settled in the Shaolin Temple of Songshan in Hunan Province in 526 A.D. We do know the first Shaolin Temple of Songshan was built in 377 A.D. for Pan Jaco, "The First Buddha", by the order of Emperor Wei on the Shao Shik Peak of Sonn Mountain in Teng Fon Hsien, Hunan Province. The Temple was for religious training and meditation only. Martial arts training did not begin until the arrival of Dharma in 526 A.D. Dharma, or Bodhidharma, died in 539 A.D. at the Shaolin Temple at age 57.

Bodhidharma was an extraordinary being who remains an example and an inspiration to practitioners today. He is the source of many miraculous stories of ferocity and dedication to the Way. One such legend states that Bodhidharma became frustrated once while meditating because he had fallen asleep. He was so upset that he cut off his eyelids to prevent this interruption in meditation from ever happening again. Yet another legend states that Bodhidharma meditated for so long that his arms and legs eventually fell off. This is a reminder of the true dedication and devotion necessary in meditation practice. The Bodhidharma doll was developed as a symbol of this dedication. In Japan and other parts of the world, when someone has a task they wish to complete, they purchase a red Bodhidharma doll that comes without pupils painted on the eyes. At the outset of the task one pupil is colored in, and upon completion, the other pupil is painted. The dolls and the evolution of martial arts and meditation, are a continuous reminder of Bodhidharma's impact on Buddhism and martial arts
RDM

Hello this Michael Sarnitz from Austria - Europe. I gathered that your tournaments will take place during the new England. I am participating +50 kata / forms division and wonder if I could also participate in your tournament - we will be finished at around 1pm- is ther also an age division for me , although I participate with the young ones, just for the sport. Would the Kata Superinpei or Unshu be accepted by your judges ?

Greetings from Europe

MichAEL
This year we will be allowing any Okinawan Kata. GEM

Dear George: It has been a while since I've chatted with you. How was the trip to Florida? I bet the weather was nice.....better than heere! I figured I'd contact you and say hi...Waylon begins his 2001 tour on April 5 in Mississippi, we go to Boisser City, Louisiana and Austin, Texas to get warmed up.

As I mentioned in an old e-mail, I have a "late" Christmas present for you. It required a lot of work but I know you'll enjoy it. I still want to visit you. I will have time from April 10 to 19th. If you are busy, I'll "pitch" some other dates to you.

Thinking of you always, Lenny

PS. IMPORTANT QUESTION: George, I've been training this phenom pitcher in high school (only 16, 6' 2" and 210 pounds; lefthander) When I started Uechi Ryu, my fastball increased about 9 to 10 mph. Would it be wrong to teach this boy sanchin and other beginner exer. ? The step, thrust / concentration helps the 4 c's of pitching in an unbelievable way 1. concentration 2. consistency 3. control 4. confidence

Please reply of you have the time. Thank you

Hi Sensei, Yesterday's dan test was really fantastic. The level of skill was the best I have seen yet. I hope my comments and scores met with your approval. Even though the new standards are not official yet, I think just knowing that we are being more particular is having everyone be more careful about who they send up. Good job. I am writing for 2 reasons. The first is to inquire if I could host the next test. I don't know what criteria is used to determine where they are held. I also know that I am a bit out of the way for many people, so my dojo is one that may not even qualify, but if it does, I'd love to have it there. It is certainly big enough. Also..... How come I gotta hear from Ed Oakley that you're coming to R.I.???? I will do my best to make that seminar. It's a Friday so I may not be able to get out of my bar shift. I will try though. Hope all is well. Raf

Dear George, Glad to see the web site is doing well! I have written to you in the past and appreciate your replies. As I had mentioned in those previous e-mails I started my training under Roy Bedard and then continued for a number of years under Bill Hall (until the recent unfortunate events). That brings me to the point of my question which arises after reading your article entitled:

March 11, 2001: Need to Update our Traditional Systems?

As a student that has come up under what I perceive to be a very traditional school my knee jerk reaction to the article is ... reluctance in agreeing with you. How much training makes someone accomplished enough so that they can objectively judge the quality or effectiveness of our own system so that that one individual can competently ascertain what is a "legitimate" technique opposed to that which is to be retired? I tend to be suspicious of instructors that feel they know the ways of the world to such an extent that they alone can discern what is to be fostered v. what is to be retired.

I believe that the point that you are trying to make is that Uechi-Ryu is an evolving art (much the same as the Constitution of the U.S. is an evolving document) rather than a static practice. But, conversely I interpret Uechi in the same way that many people view the First Amendment. That is, is if you keep chipping away at it little by little, you may not have it in the end.

Again, the point of this long winded e-mail is- when is someone at the level that they should be making decisions of what to discard from Uechi-Ryu?

Thank you for your time. I look forward to your reply.

Yours Truly, Robert Winess

Excellent points Robert. I wish you would put this letter on Bill Glasheen's forum, to share with everyone.

My purpose for exploring the system is not to change the original system tools (the kata and other style methods Kanbun brought back from China), rather the training methods that have been created by various generations of his students.

We tend to ritualize everything in the martial arts. You would be surprised at how much of what you are doing came from me!

I'm on my way to the NE dantest this morning, so won't have time to get into this further. But I will participate in a forum dialog if you put your comments on Bill's forum.

Hope to see you at camp this year.

Best, George

Thank you for the response earlier, George. I found out there is a U-R class at Cornell College. It's about 2-3 hrs. away... Would be fun to go see.. Again, thank you for responding personally. I found out a neat piece of onfo... While watching a special on Elvis(not a fan), they were going to auction off his briefcase and contents... One of the items was your book..The Way Of Karate...of which I have an autographed copy.... What a great discipline Uechi-Ryu is!! Can't say it enough!!!! Extreme fun!!

Jeffrey M. Blandino

Dear George:

I am saddened to inform you of the death of my brother Tom Graziano, who passed away on March 6, 2001, at age 42. He had kidney disease since age 18, and began dialysis about three years ago. In December 2000, he went into the hospital with a collapsed lung, and tests revealed a stage 3B cancer of the pleura. The prognosis was not good; he was given 18 months to live if he chose not to treat the advanced-stage cancer. Or he could try to treat it, but against only 15% odds.

A prominent Boston-area physician and beloved Uechi brother got Tom into the Dana Farber hospital, where Tom valiantly tried everything up until the time God called him.

Tom began his karate study in 1970, in my teachers' Forrest and Carmine's Saturday morning children's class, which I taught. Tom rose to the rank of yondan, to which he was promoted in May 1987. Interestingly, from the same test, my brother Jim was promoted to sandan and I was promoted to godan. Due to his declining health, Tom did not work out in recent years. His friends at Walter's dojo never forgot him though. They would always ask for

Tom. With imposing size and strength, and surprising quickness, Tom also had a gentle, humble manner. Everyone loved him.

On Saturday, March 3, 2001, two days before Tom died, my brother Jim and I, had Walter and approximately 30 of Tom's other friends, including about 20 of our long-time karate buddies, over Jim's house for a party to see Tom. It was awesome. Tom was very happy to see his old friends, and vice versa.

Walter was a pallbearer for Tom, and represented all of Tom's Uechi friends as he helped carry Tom's body at church, six days later.

Tom was a man of great faith. Although we will miss him, we are also joyous that he is with God in heaven.

Joe

P.S. Our family has requested that in lieu of flowers, friends might consider a small donation to a kidney charity of their choice. Thank you.

Joe:

Sorry to hear about the death of Tom. It is always difficult to lose a loved one, but at such an early age, the loss is especially sad.

Please email a photo of Tom and I'll place it and your message in our "Memorial" site.

Regards, George Mattson 

Thanks for your condolances George. I would love to send you a picture of Tom for the memorial site. It may be a few days before I do that, though. Thanks. JOE

Hi, I'm Jim Gemmell, a Sandan in Uechi-Ryu. I study at (Don) Joyner's Professional Karate School in Grand Rapids, Michigan. Sensei James Thompson, 8th degree, often comes up from Kalamazoo to visit or we go down there. The topic on your web page about the realisticness of the charge at one's left leg during Seisan Bunkai is interesting. Funny, we've often talked in our dojo here in Michigan about how it would be more practical to "get off the line" of attack than try to knee somebody in the head, if they were charging. However, I think the actual kata wasn't designed so much to defend a charge, but to counter an attacker who's already been knocked on the ground for whatever reason and is trying to pull you down. I'd probably defer to Sensei Thompson to answer that and other questions, as he spent several years in private study with Master Kannei Uechi and has become an internationally renowned martial artist. 

I know on the subject of breathing, Sensei Thompson has said that it comes down to real hair-splitting as to exactly when to exhale (before, during or after a strike), but that it's not really that important to make a distinction. As Thompson says, "You don't think about breathing when you're running. It's more important to just make sure you breathe, period." (As you know, many of us "forget" to breathe much when doing kata, sometimes).

I'd be very interested to know what other aspects of traditional Uechi Ryu have been questioned or scrutinized. I understand the concept of the Tiger Toe and open-hand strikes, because they're more penetrating and perhaps quicker than other blows. But, I don't anticipate conditioning my digits to the point of arthritis here in post-war America. One thing Sensei's Thompson and Joyner have been emphasizing here in recent years is fluidity. A lot of traditional karateka emphasize power and "muscling" things, but Thompson has shown how soft can overcome hard, and vice-versa. Sensei Sherman Harrill, who's done many seminars here and is an 8th Degree in Isshyn-Ryu, has demonstrated the Bruce Lee one-inch punch and other techniques. He's shown how you can light somebody up just by distracting their mind, be it with sight, touch or sound. I know Milo Scot spent years braking boards over his legs and quit doing that kind of conditioning when Harrill walked over and tapped him on the inside of his leg. Milo went down in agony. Harrill, who's dojo is in Iowa, is a master on pressure points and the nervous system. He studied directly under Isshyn-ryu founder Shimabuku. Thompson likes him quite a bit.

Have you had Sensei Thompson there for a seminar? I'm sure he could clear up a lot of questions, and Sensei Harrill would open up a lot of eyes.

Sincerely,

James Gemmell

Sensei Mattson, I previously read an e-mail from "Carol A.", who was looking for Uechi-Ryu students and/or instructors in Ohio. I can't find her at this time and was hoping for some help. If you have been contacted by her or know how to find her---please let me know. We are looking for her and are very interested in studying with her. If there is anyone else in Ohio who is looking for Uechi-Ryu students, we are here. They can contact me at: ATomak1@aol.com or at Millennium Fitness Center in Medina, Ohio. Thank you! Atomak

George, I hope you penciled me in for the training you want to have for officials? I do want to attend. Just give me more date details etc. etc. I saw post where you said officials don't have to be black belts. This I question as to the judgement whether a move is good or sloppy or not a deserved point. Judgement will come from experience and some sparring background, preferably tournament. Perhaps it depends on level we are judging, what color, age etc. Just an observation. Will await you wise reply.

DB

Sorry to be late in getting back to you on this email. In a perfect world, would only use experienced, former competitors who have been certified by wkf. In the past I've used former competitors and for the most part, they are no better as a group, then non-martial artist. With training, non-martial artist who have been certified are much better officials.

Hope you can make it up here for the tournament. We will definitely use you as an official. We'll have to spend some time together though, going over the rules.

Best, George

Dear Sensei Mattson,

I will be in the boston area Wednesday, March 7th, through Sunday the 11th.

If you could let me know what schools to visit that would be great. I'd also like to bring back some flyers for nationals in May and summer camp in July.

Thanks alot, Brian Stark.

Hi Brian: Hoped you enjoyed yesterday's seminar. It was a pleasure spending time with you on the way to Gary's dojo and during class. Don't be a stranger... stay in touch and plan to attend other events like the Uechi tournament and summer camp.

Best, George Mattson 
ps. Please give my best to all your teachers and classmates.

Hello George;

I'm sorry I've not stayed in closer contact with you guys. I have just started my own business and its more than I expected. But I really need the Uechi training and my martial art friendship to be consistent and with quality. That and my faith keep me going and I want to return the value back. So anyways how is the NE? I valued a lot from you last year and I'd love to train again soon. Sorry we missed you at Mike Nazar's last year. Well thanks again. Do you know anyone I can train with in the Phoenix or Arizona area? And I wandering if I can find Master Gushi's school in San Diego, it might be worth the drive. Thanks again, Fred Stone

Update 3-9-01

As of today the student population of the Uechi Ryu Karate school of Indianapolis, AKA Budokan Karate Club, is 15. For now 13 kids and two adults. I have been blessed with luck in getting on with alocal Parks and Recreation center in a town called Edinburgh. Located south of Indianapolis. Of course I still have 3 of the students here in Indy. We are about to hold our first informal promotion board around the 19th of this month. Four students going for tenth Kyu,( the very 1st rank level), and one going for Green belt, 5th Kyu. Thats 1/2 way to Black belt. of course Myself and this later student are going to participate in an annual tournament up in Kalamazoo MI. On the 24th of March 2001. Than another one in May up in Battle Creek MI. this same year with another 2 students joining us there. So needless to say things are going rather swimmingly for now. Stay tuned for another up date next month.........

George,

I'm still trying to find someone in the Odenton, MD area. I'm trying to contact Rik Lostritto in Gaithersburg, but the email shown for him in the instructor list keeps coming back as undeliverable. Do you have an email for him?

Also, when I click on Maryland in the states list for instructors it takes me to the top of the page, not to Maryland.

And last, but not least...could you alphabetize the list of instructors names for each state. MA's list is particularly difficult to locate someone in.

As always, these are minor observations. I am always very proud to refer students, parents and anyone else to the web-site.

Thanks,

MFH

I recently moved to Hopkinton Massachusetts and am trying to find a uechi-ryu dojo in this area. My daughter and I studied under Steve Perry in North Hampton, New Hampshire. Where can I find a Dojo? Can you help?

Thank you Lisa Phelan

Hi George,

I am not sure that you remember me. I am a student of David Mott's and have been to summer camp several times. I hope you are doing well and did not get snowed in too much. Here in Toronto we got another good 30 cm of snow in the last two days, but I am hopeful that spring will arrive soon. The reason that I am writing to you is that there is at least a van load of people interested in going to summer camp and then there are still a few more who are on the fence about going - pending the knowledge of how much it will cost. I am hoping that you could let us (David or myself) know what the price of summer camp will be for the Canadian Group. As always we are suffering the $ exchange woes and are hoping that you can cut us a group deal of sorts.

See you at summer camp!

Best regards, Monika Roschlaub

Susan has worked out a plan for our Canadian friends that should help. Anyone interested, pleas contact me via email. GEM

Dear George Mattson I am a student of Steve Vosa in Albuq New Mexico My son is in the Navy and based at Yokosuka Japan. I am going to visit him the end of September and while there would like to visit a Uechi Ryu dojo. I cannot find one on your internet web page.

If not a Uechi dojo is there another style you know of that I could visit in that area. Thank you for your time Susan Lyon

Thank you so much for the knowledge you shared with us, and for your time. It was really awesome seeing my first, last, and only uechi teacher after so many years.

Best regards,                                                                                                                      Jim Melki

Thanks Jim. It was good to see you back in class and doing so well. GEM

Hi,

My name is Jen O'Neill and I run a site called The Karate Directory. I think I have contacted you about links before, but I have a different offer for you :)

I desperately need something to make visitors to my site keep coming back. I don't have much karate knowledge myself (not got my dan grade yet) so I can't really write news articles. Everytime I visit your site it seems to have been updated, and you have some brilliant discussion forums which is another thing I would love to have going well on my own site!

To the point, I would love some tips on how to get things started! Also, if you feel you could I would really be pleased if you could help me write some articles, you can send me updates from your site, news in the karate world (which I am specifically after) and of course plenty of pictures to pad it out.

Ideally I am after someone to write regular articles, hopefully you or somebody else you may have contact with.

Please Help!

Jen O'Neill TKD Webmaster

No secret Jen. Just lots of hard work. If anyone is interested in helping Jen out, please contact me. GEM

At our elementary school, we have a sensei who has been teaching for some 9 years. Would it be acceptable, within the martial arts philosophy, to have another sensei from another style offer classes at the school?

Regards,

Lise

Dear Uechi and Shohei Colleagues:

For those of you who are interested, here's a link to a pretty neat Katakana + Hiragana generator / tutor. It's great to use if you are trying to figure out what Katakana you should choose on your embroidered Obi (belt) or just want to practice writing Japanese characters. Keep in mind that when reading the European characters, it assume English pronunciation.

http://members.aol.com/writejapan/index.htm

Regards,

Bruce Hirabayashi

This is intended to be a note which expresses my appreciation on the class held at "The Hut" in Newton Mass Saturday mornings between the hours of 10:00 and 11:30 (which is the advanced class as there is a beginners-intermediate class between 9:00 and 10:00).

I was skiing with my Family at Killinton Vermont and after seeing the family off stayed behind in Boston last week so I could make the class and have the opportunity once again to work out with the New England Region of the IUKF. After the warm-ups there was an excellent Sanchin which lasted approximately 20 mins. and without going into detail as to what those variation were suffice it to say it had variations to it which indicated that the instructor had given serious thought to the movements of our primary kata. The instructor of that segment of the class was phenomenal and thank-you.

Sensei Mattson completed the class with kyu-kumite, dan-kumite, all of the Uechi kata's 3 times (not to be confused with 3 separate speeds) and a take you breath away 3 rounds of slow speed sparring and I thank Enricki, David and "the tall guy with the accurate front kick" for their time and patience as partners during the class.

The New England Region of the IUKF as exampled by this workout are putting the realism back into our style. The basics are minimized and speed and abbreviation are maximized. A very cool way to do ten point and as good an example of street fighting as you can get when coupled with the strength, balance and "tucked" position developed through Uechi.

I would make every class if i lived in the area but at this time in my life will take pride in showing the Bermuda class tonight what is happening "across the pond".

PS..congratulations Gary Koury (hope i didn't spell you last name wrong Gary) on the jbb test..I heard it was a smash and I personnally like the idea of of each candidate being able to express publicly what they feel they have derived and expect from the art of Uechi Ryu.

Chris Lavigne

Mr. Mattson.

I am enjoying the web site and the forums, although I noticed that they have slowed down pretty much. I can only guess as to why people are not participating as much any more. Anyway, I have a suggestion or comment regarding listing the topic area and moderator positions on the forums. The first area is titled "most active", while there is a lot of activity in this area there are other forum areas getting more hits and more activity. Maybe it is time to relocate some of these that are becoming more popular. Some examples are, Van gets 9167, Bill 6154, Gary only 1016 ( not so active comparatively) while the Woman get 2237, Evan 3414, and the Computer area 2163. These are just a few examples of the activity as of Sunday 2 / 18 .. Maybe it's time to rearrange and give a fresh look to this listing, give new positions to those that activly update and work at keeping their forum topics fresh and interesting. This will make people search out and read more. Sort of what the department store does when they block aisles and move things around to make you cover more area in their stores. Ayways thanks for listening.

Marv

Thanks George, hope you enjoy the book -will sign it for you next time I'm over that way (every few years or so I get to come over to the USA and Ill definitely make another acll into Booston to see you and the guy and do some training). Im actually hoping sales from the book will get me back to Okinawa again later this year for more training..tell the Uechi community this and they might buy the book!

Cheers John Long

I visited your web site & really enjoyed the videos & unique offerings. I am a student of Manuel DeSa of St. Albert, Alberta, Canada & I have created a web site for his club ( www.geocities.com/desa_karate ) . I hope you don't mind but I added your page in my links section.

Please let me know if you do mind & I will remove it.

Thanks - great job on your site!!!

Lauri Thieson (student of Manuel DeSa)

Don't mind at all Lauri. Plus, I've forwarded your letter to our "Links" administrator, so he can add your site to our's.

Best of luck and stay in touch.

George Mattson

Hello. My name is Ken Green. I studied under John Zachistal & Nancy Gavenda while living in MA. I moved to CT and for years I have been looking for a Uechi dojo closer to me than Hartford. It was by luck that I talked with Kevin Meisner and he informed me of a dojo in Colchester. I can not find a valid phone number for Jon Spencer. Can you please direct me. I would appreciate any guidance you may offer. Sincerely,

Kenneth Green
Check the "Instructor's link Kenneth. You might also post a note on the "Looking for an instructor/dojo" Forum. GEM

Dearest George and Susan, it gave me goosebumps not only to see that Nebraska was "well represented" at Summer Camp 2000, (though I'm only so very sorry I couldn't be part of that head count) but also to see again how Chinese influence is being well considered a part of Uechi-Ryu Karate Do. Your sentiments about whether or not I would attend were hearthfelt, thank you both!! I also enjoyed Sensei Canna's word to the wise about "no excuses for not attending." I'm not sure how much my beloved Sensei, Dave Lamb told you about what my new adventure entails, though it has also begun to grow into more as we speak. Let me begin by stating that I would not be where I am today without Dave Lamb and you both. 

I began with a tiny interest in martial arts in general and thank goodness I followed my interest which led me to Dave Lamb. I also had a general interest in massage which only grew as my teacher fortunately put emphasis on the healing AND the hurting aspects of martial arts. Not to leave short that the martial arts has emphasis in the hurting aspect for the sole purpose of inflicting pain, "Manners: be humble respectful and courteous above all", is also something I can say off the top of my martial arts in-training-mind. As well not to over look the inherent healing aspects of Uechi-ryu, brilliant!!!! We could not probably give enough homage to Zhou Zi He for healing influence, if I'm not mistaken. At any rate, I've been looking at the International Institute of Chinese Medicine for about two years and couldn't really decide between their Acupuncture program and/or their Tui Na (Chinese massage) program. I'm still not to sure, but since there is so much crossover in the foundation and theory, I don't have to make a decision right now. simply put, every day in school gets more exciting, and I've only had 1 week of school. I do know it's going to be a challenge, but not unmanageable. An aside, I asked one of my teachers, whether or not she thought that the same points that heal also hurt, she gave me such a look, as if one she doesn't know me well enough or what I might do if I had such secrets,. Of course I explained I studied martial arts, she still wasn't comfortable just curious. In short I am excited at the possibility that I may someday have the opportunity to give back to the Uechi system (family).

Thank You for the info on potential Uechi schools here in Albuquerque I'm not sure if they can top Dave, no offense to Uechi-ryu Karate Do, or to you GEM.

Not enough Thanks, not all the tea in China, for all that you, George and Susan have done for me sending good positive energy your way, Amy T. McAndrews, of the Nebraska chapter Uechi-ryu

Dear Mr. Mattson,

I have just finished reading your book on Uechi Ryu Karate Do, and in the section discussing ten-point kumite you stated that there is actually an eleventh point, the take down, that you would gladly send if the reader wrote you. I would like the information on the eleventh point. I studied under Bill Kieth in South Florida, and I remember him teaching a take down in ten-point, but you gave a different description from what I learned.

Thank you very much.

Sincerely,

Christopher J. Corey

Description sent! GEM

"July 1965's Black Belt magazine features "Uechi-Ryu: Okinawan Karate of Serenity." This six page story includes includes five photos of Kanei Uechi in poses from the Sanchin, Seisan, and Sansure-Roku katas. Another photo depicts Kanbum Uechi, founder of Uechi-Ryu karate. Also worthy of note is a photo showing a young George Mattson "defending against a kick (it's a flying kick)." Chapter headings in this historic write up include; "Americans in Uechi-Ryu," "The Master's son,"Sanchin is the Heart," and "Experiments in Armor." This rare issue is in exceptional condition. Winning bidder pays by bank check or money order please, including an extra $3.20 for priority mail shipping and handling."

If anyone is interested, contact me and I'll put you in touch with seller. gEM

I was admiring your web-site and I wanted to say "FANTASTIC!". I was under the training of Sensei Ahti Kaend, unfortunately I had to leave unannounced due to my career. Now that I am back in California I am still a long distance from his dojo, are there any other dojos in Los Angeles, Whittier area of California. I was bamboozled into a Kempo style of Karate which only wanted my hard earned money and was unhappy. I have tried calling and emailing Sensei Kaend, but have been unsuccessful. Can you help me, I will very much appreciate it.

Hector Galvan

The woman's husband had been slipping in and out of a coma forseveral months, yet she had stayed by his bedside every singleday. One day, when he came to, he motioned for her to comenearer.As she sat by him, he whispered, eyes full of tears, "My dearest,you have been with me all through the bad times. When I gotfired, you were there to support me. When my business failed,you were there. When I got shot, you were by my side. When welost the house, you stayed right here. When my health startedfailing, you were still by my side. You know what?""What dear?" she gently asked, smiling as her heart began to fillwith warmth."I think you're bad luck."

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