August, 2003 Mailbag

Don't forget to take advantage of the many wonderful seminars being presented at SummerFest 2003. This, the 20th anniversary of SummerFest, promises to be one of the best. Remember: Aug 8-10th. For you golfers, join us on Thursday, August 7th at Brookside Golf Club. (Contact Darin Yee for details)

SummerFest Questions

Forgot something--

George, is there somewhere on your site where people can indicate what day and time they are arriving in Boston. Perhaps that can enable some of us out-of-towners to arrange for transportation together.

Steve

Good point Steve. Please post your arrival times on the SummerFest Forum. People arriving together can share rides to the camp. GEM

Sensei George Mattson,

I recently joined the Beacon Hill Karate School a week ago. I would like to attend the Summer fest. Do you think it would be too advanced for such a novice like myself? I was thinking of coming down for the Saturday Day event. Please respond with your thoughts.

-larry 

Hi Larry:

Check out the SummerFest site: http://www.uechi-ryu.com/oldsite/camp2000/

Note that 75% of the seminars cover basic material. The object is to familiarize students of all ranks with new and different methods of training. The "Fest" is a fantastic way to jumpstart your martial art study. If possible, try to go for the weekend. (Go over the schedule with your teacher and let him pick areas of study that will help you.

See you next month.

George Mattson

Greetings!

I'm planning on coming to the camp this year for only one day, and I'd like it to be the day Wes Tasker is doing his seminar. Could you tell me which day that will be?

Thanks a lot!

-Jeff Fraser

Wes will be attending all three days and will be teaching two seminars every day! GEM

Sensei,

I'm sending along Wes's plans for what he wants to teach at camp. If Susan could have us room together, that would be great. It is unclear as of yet whether we will be coming down Thursday night or Friday morning - I will let you know ASAP. Also if you could make sure that he and I are not scheduled opposite one another since he will be uke for my sessions and will undoubtedly be hitting me with a stick during his... Perhaps I could trade off one of my scheduled times with him on Fri and Sat?

**Wes Tasker will be teaching a sampling of Pekiti-Tirsia Kali stickwork and related footwork, and will bring enough sticks for students' use during his classes (which they may purchase for a nominal fee if they wish). Wes is ranked as a Mataas na Guro (which means he has completed and been tested on the entire system) under Tuhon Guro William McGrath who in turn received his title under the system's familial heir Tuhon Leo Tortal Gaje.**

- greg

Dear George, 

I very much enjoyed introducing my sons to many of the Seniors at your event. I appreciate the time taken by you, Jack, Van, Richie, Ed, Gary, Jay,Alan and others. Please thank Susan for granting my sons VIP badges. Brendan and Rory enjoyed being close to the action.

Cheers,

Pete McRae

PS: Please forward me the information regarding your Summer Camp. I would like to attend along with some students.

Good to see you again Peter. Looking forward to seeing you and your students at SummerFest. GEM

Dear Sensei,

Could you please add me to your mailing list. Also could you send me information for your summerfest 2003.

I'm situated in the UK.

Thanks for your time and assistance.

best regards

Robert Patton 

Hello,

I am a student of David Mott at Cold Mountain Uechi Ryu in Toronto. Currently I am working on a film in New Brunswick. I would like to attend summer camp if I am able. I don't think I will know until the last minute if I will be able to attend, nor do I know if I will be able to come for the full three days or just Saturday and Sunday.

I don't know who is attending this year from Cold Mountain, but if there's any possibility of bunking with one of my friends from the dojo that would be great. I know that arranging this may be difficult in light of my inability to make a commitment until the beginning of next week.

I hope to be in touch soon

Best regards

Maureen

Lots of your classmates coming this year Maureen. I'm sure we will find a roommate for you with one of them. We are all looking forward to seeing David again. His seminars are among the most popular at camp. GEM

Dear Friend,

Are you, or do you know, a commercial graphic artist who would like to donate his or her services to wonderful project that honors transplant survivors?

For the past three years, BMT InfoNet has offered a beautiful calendar called Celebrating Life which honors twelve survivors of a bone marrow, peripheral blood stem cell or cord blood transplant. It has been our good fortune to have the graphic design services for the calendar provided to us at a deeply discounted rate by Fivestar Creative Group of Orland Park, IL.

Unfortunately, their workload has grown to the point where they are unable to provide the graphic design work for our 2005 calendar. We are therefore looking for an experienced graphic artist who would be willing to take over this great project. Skills required include:

* Ability to work with Photoshop an! d A dobe Illustrator * Experience directing photo shoots * Prior work with commercial clients to produce four-color publications

If you know someone who meets these criteria and would be willing to donate or provide their services to BMT InfoNet at a discounted rate please contact us by email (help@bmtinfonet.org) or toll-free by phone 888-597-7674. Our 2004 Celebrating Life Calendar, which will be available in September, is outstanding and we want to maintain this high level of quality in the years to come.

Thanks, in advance, for your help and have a wonderful summer!

Best wishes,


Sue Stewart Executive Director, Blood & Marrow Transplant Information Network

Bill Bauknecht asked me to post this letter. I'll forward any replies to him. Thanks. GEM

Subject: Article links

Mr. Mattson,

Your article "Okinawan Flow Drills" doesn't work. I was wondering if it was like the technique in Daini Seisan. The one I am referring to is the wrist grab(r), wa-uke grab(l) on the upper arm, followed by the wrist grab arm doing an elbow strike, back fist, and one knuckle punch. There is another technique where you perform the wrist grab, wa-uke grab, and the hand that grabbed the wrist grabs the back of the head and smashes the head into a rising knee. Or if the person punches with the left hand you grab the throat with the wrist grab hand while you perform a leg sweep. Do these also include the Seisan escape from a front grab on the shirt? Or the use of the kata opening for the same purpose? Are there any techniques being taught for increasing the strength of the forearm and grip strength? 

Thank you for any help you can provide.

Chris

Thanks for the information. I'll try to recover the link next week. 

There are lots of applications we can learn from the different kata. You mention a couple of interesting and very effective ones.

(You should try and attend our SummerFest next month. Many seminars on these subjects)

We have Okinawan and Chinese strengthening devices and exercises for forearm and grip strength although Kanbun Uechi felt that all of the strength necessary could be obtain through correct kata performance.(Especially Sanchin)

Best, George Mattson

Subject: Dojo Info


Dear Sensei Mattson, My seven year old son has recently shown an interest in studying karate. Several of his friends study some form of arts but most seem to be very aggressive, teaching alot of fighting techniques at an early age. His mother and I would rather see him study the more spiritual side, progressing to the combat when he's a little older and more mature. From my limited research it seems that this is fairly in line with Uechi Ryu. The Uechi dojo run by Ed and Jean DeCosta is very close to my house and I have heard good things about it but mostly from members. Although I would not expect you to speak poorly of another sensei, I was hoping you could at least let me know if that is a good place to start and possibly suggest other dojos that might also be good to visit. I appreciate your time and would love to hear from you if you have a moment.

Sincerely,

xxxxxxx

 ================================

Hi:

What I know of Eddy is all good.

Good teacher for your son.

You should bring him to Junior SummerFest, Saturday, Aug 9th at the Maritime Academy. Check out the information at the Uechi home page: http://uechi-ryu.com and http://www.uechi-ryu.com/oldsite/camp2000/

All day exposure to many martial art disciplines. I know he would enjoy the day and would have an opportunity to get acquainted with both the physical and mental side of our art.

You would enjoy it as well. :)

Best, George Mattson
 ============================
Thanks for the prompt and positive reply. If I can get the day off work I will try to come down for sure. Who knows, maybe I'll give it a shot too!! 32 and taking my first lessons??? Yikes!!

Thanks again.
xxxxx

I would greatly appreciate it if you can help me in finding a qualified instructor in the art of Uechi Ryu, I spoke to you a few years ago you suggested that I get on the net, that it was the future of mass communication to paraphrase, and you were right. Oh i almost forgot to mention where i live, its in New York City Manhattan to be exact. Thank you very much.

Respectfully, yours

Dumar Echols 

Please call David Finkelstien, who will tell you about all the Uechi-ryu programs in New York. GEM

Hello, 

I was a student roughly 20 years ago as a pre-teen / early teen with an instructor known as Doc just outside of Tampa FL in a town called Brandon. I would very much like to train again but know of no dojos in Charlotte or Gastonia NC. Please let me know of any near this area. Thank you.

SEAN 

Hello, 
My name is Ken Lookingglass, Jr. I studied with Rose in Cortez Colorado. Then with Steve Vosa, in Albuquerque. I had a tough schedule with both towns but showed up every now and then. I learned a lot though. I still practice sanchin to the best of my know how and now living in Oklahoma was wondering if you knew anyone her that I could train under. I do not have Roses info and I last heard that she moved to Denver, she a was very good teacher to me and I will always speak well of her and Steve. It was more than the money and it was a family. I have always believed in my teakwondo punching and kicking but enjoy the uechi ryu style. Please keep me posted if you have any info, that may help. Also I would like to get some info for videos. Steve said that you would watch home movies of persons doing katas and critic them. That would be great to do. Send me info on that as well. I realize that I ask a lot please keep in touch even if it is to say "NO"! 

Rose is now living and teaching in New York. She and Steve will both be at SummerFest Aug 8-10th. If your schedule permits, why not join them for a reunion! I'll be happy to check out any clips you send me of your Uechi-ryu. GEM

Dear Master Mattson:

Hi, you probably don't remember my son. Jesse Chan did Karate with Chris Delorey at the Delorey Academy. We have seem to have lost contact with Chris and Karina Delorey. Some one has told me they have moved back to Nova Scotia. Would you happen to have their address, phone number, and most of all their e-mail address.

Thanks Cheryl Chan

Hi Cheryl:

So good to hear from you. How is Jesse? 

I haven't heard from Chris since the last time I visited BC. I'll publish your letter in our mailbag. Hopefully someone will know where he is.

Stay in touch.

Best, George Mattson

Dear Mr. Mattson:

I'm a 38 year old guy who is seeking martial arts instruction. I've tried Tae Kwon Do in the past, and for whatever reason I was not flexible enough to perform the kicks properly. I don't know if it's me, or the instructor I had. I do know that I'm not well balanced and was never very coordinated as far as athletics go, though I did play sports. Anyway, I'm seeking to take private lessons, at least initially, then perhaps move on to semi-private or groups. I work in law enforcement 3PM to 11 PM so the only times I can study are around late morning/noon/early afternoon, or on my days off which vary each week. Can you help me? If your school is not able to assist me, could you refer me to an instructor in Boston who might be able to accommodate my needs? Thanks very much.

Ed

Sensi

I am looking for a Uechi school in the Vancouver British Columbia area I heard Sensi Jim Maloney has a dojo in the Vancouver area. But I am unable to find a listing for it. Could you please tell me how to get in touch with Sensi Maloney 

Thanks 
Adrian

Sensei Mattson, 
I have recently moved to the San Antonio, TX area and am searching for an instructor. I was fortunate enough to train under Keith Marcott in Laramie, WY for the past year.

Thanks for you help,
 Brian Breeding

I will be moving to the Easton or Franklin area soon and am looking for a good dojo. I have not studied Uechi-ryu but have studied a Shorin-ryu still called Siebukan under Kyoshi Dan Smith in Atlanta. He recommended I look you up for recommendations of good schools in that area.

Thanks in advance for your help.

Ken 
 =====================================

I loved Seibukan but a great deal of that was just how good Dan was. No real problem switching to Uechi-ryu, I have always found it intriguing too.

I am 43 years old, and have studied several different styles over the years due to corporate moves. I studied with Dan for about a year and a half, and had progressed up 3-4 kyu ranks with him. My two sons, ages 9 and 11, had also studied there and did very well.

thanks for the info on Summer Camp, it looks like a great time.

Ken ----- 

Women of Uechi-ryu

Greetings, George,

Hope you're enjoying the summer. Michigan has had a very late start with summer, and now we're going to have a week of cooler temps. Not exactly beach weather!

I am helping Peggy Hess with writing for some of the projects connected with the Women of Uechi-Ryu Okinawan Tour. She's asked if I would be willing to write a web page on Women in Karate History with special emphasis on the Women of Uechi-Ryu (Ironic... when I first wrote you at the beginning of your site many years ago and asked where was the women of Uechi-Ryu's History, you said there wasn't a formal history written down & perhaps I'd write it someday!)

We'd be very grateful if you could provide some info on the Uechi-Ryu Pioneer Women ... who were they ... when did they receive their first black belts ... first in USA? first in Okinawa? ... higher ranks ... any other pertinent info or anecdotes? Feel free to write bullet points or paragraphs & I can expand on any info you can provide.

Also, do you think it would be ok to place a message on the Women's Forum ... sort of an "all points bulletin" call to research?

I realize that you are probably immersed in preparing for SummerFest, so you may not be able to provide this info right away. Also, please let me know if there are different people/resources we should be checking with as well.

As always, thank you for your support and help. It is deeply appreciated!

Best regards, 
Jackie Olsen

"Hut" Program!

Good afternoon, Sensei Mattson,

i am gathering a crowd to come and workout at the hut one of these Saturday mornings very soon. my question is, do you accept personal checks for the mat fee ? or is it strictly cash ?

also, i am interested in going to and entering tournaments, is there a website that i can view any upcoming tournaments in the new England area ? i checked your website but couldn't find any info. Finally, does the summer fest happen every year ? it looks very informative but i unfortunately cannot get there this year. Except for the winter one in Fl, are there any other types of these 'weekend getaways' of that type where i can go to learn and seek advice from others as well ? i am always willing to get different opinions, etc

thank you for your time and help.

respectfully,

Wally Bradbury 

 By all means, please feel free to join us on Saturdays, whenever you wish. 

 It is a very informal class where extra help is given to whomever shows up.
 Best,
George Mattson 

Sensei, 
 I just wanted to write you a quick thank you for the excellent class at the Hut on Saturday. That was the best class I have ever had there! Giella Sensei did a great job with the warm ups and the various punching drills. The "in your face" Sanchin is crazy! I had so much fun doing it. Good to see lots of the same people still attending class there. 

With a busy dojo it is hard to get there regularly but I am absolutely going to make the effort. See ya at camp, 

Raffi 
www.derderian-academy.com

Uechi-ryu Questions!

Greetings Mr. Mattson 

My name is Liam O'Neal and I live in Sacramento,California. I was raised in Norwood. My first exposure to karate was at your dojo on Washington Street. When my parents found out they made me stop because they thought akata was the same as a devil dance (strict Catholics). That was in 1966 when I was 15 years old. Now at 51 I will expand my horizons. I will be studying under Sensei Robert Van der Volgen (6th dan). 

Would you please help me settle some disputes? My friends are clinging to some old myths Since you are a 9th dan they and I will accept your word as final. 1. I say that there is no place in the country that requires a martial artist to register with Police. I just don't believe it 2.There is no such thing as a 10th dan. If so, where who and how many?

Question: Is it pronounced way chay or wee chee or you wee chee Have you written any books Are there any photos of you available 

Hope to meet you some day 
Liam B. O'Neal 
Sacramento, California

Hi Liam:

Thanks for writing. You are indeed very fortunate to have Robert as your teacher. He is "the best". (And he will be with us this weekend at SummerFest!)

Regarding your questions:

1. I don't think this is true. A popular misconception, based on the fact that a martial artist's body weapons are considered "dangerous". In a courtroom, a judge and jury would consider a karate practitioner's hands and feet, weapons.

2. 10th dan is very commonplace in the West, based on the belief that a system creator could make him/herself a 10th dan. In the West, we have many individuals who have "made-up" their own styles. On Okinawa and Japan the rank is much more difficult to obtain and is generally based on age and contributions to the art.

Go to http://uechi-ryu.com and click on "store" for publications. Best pronunciation is "Way-chi-roo"

photos. . . quite a few on Scott Danginzer's site. Good luck with your training.

George

Dear Mr. Mattson, 

I was searching the internet for Uechi-Ryu sites and came across your memorial page for teachers who have died. Forrest Sanborn was my uncle. I trained at his Dojo in Quincy for several years. I can gather information about him for your site if you are interested. I was dismayed to find that Tom Graziano passed away. He was such a nice guy. I trained under his brother Joe on Saturday mornings. Tom was always there and helped with the class. I was also a good friend and a schoolmate of his brother Jimmy, who was also part of the Saturday karate class. If I can be of any assistance, please let me know.

Respectfully, 
Stephen Letteri 
Tampa, FL. 

I used to be a student of Duncan Macleod's in Truro, Nova Scotia, want to get back into working out. I went down to Boston twice for Uechi-ryu related trips, once to Buzzard's Bay for Summer Fest and once to Brockton for a special trip. I witnessed your grading in Buzzard's Bay and remember it fondly and Jake's (Jim Maloney) speech in which he told not to forget a moment like this , and i haven't. 

I hear Jake is back in Nova Scotia , i was wondering if you could give me his e-mail address. I am also Mikmaq and he has visited my father several times in the past couple years as they were fairly close when they were younger. I was yonkyu when i left to pursue commercial fishing but no longer fish. I would like to gain my black belt and pursue starting my own club in community of Millbrook, just outside Truro. Please reply when convenient.

Keith

Hi Keith:

Lots of good teachers in your area. Start working out again and discuss opening a dojo with your teacher. Jim (Jake) will be at SummerFest this week. He is visiting NS for a wedding, but I don't believe he will be staying long. GEM

Kid's Tournament

Hi George,

I hope you have recovered after a very successful, enjoyable tournament. I just wanted to let you know that when you review your records of the tournament that I had 2 students who tried to compete but had 'closed' divisions because of no one to compete against. They were given medals for just showing up. I tried to get them in other divisions but they were not allowed. Their names are, Kevin Love, Boys 16-17 kata and sparring, no competitors, Kristen Rosa girls 12-13 kata and sparring. I hope the word gets out that this was a great series and more teachers talk the tournament up. They have to be informed that this is not like "open" tournaments and those of the past. Our kids and parents are still buzzing about their achievements and the fun they had. The dome was a huge success as well.

Thanks 

Steve 

Mr. Mattson,

I would like to thank you for inviting Nate, Shea, and myself you the party after the competition. We left with regrets that we could stay no longer than we did. The day just kept getting better and better, and the end, being at the party with you and Susan and your friends, was just the icing on the cake.

Thank you for quite the day

Mike Foley

Kind Words

Hello, I really enjoy looking at your web site. I practice Uechi-ryu in Chicopee MA. I am always eager to learn more and your site helps me to do that. Thank you for doing such a great job. Perhaps one day I will have the opportunity to meet you. I am wondering if you allow people to watch your Saturday morning classes?? Have a terrific day. Keep up the hard work :)

Sincerely, Heather Fahey

Advice from our readers. . .

Mr. Mattson, I was reading in your mail bag for July about bruises. In my research they suggests "500 milligrams of vitamin C three times a day to help build your collagen", if you bruise easily. They also state "vitamin C is not considered toxic, taking high doses should still get sanction from your doctor". 

I hope this will help the person who has that problem. 

Sincerely Charles Roberts 

Subject: Book Review: The Joint Venture, by Gilbert D. Visconti

Voyageur Publishing Co., Inc.
Mr. Nathaniel Kento
Managing Editor
POB 121001
Nashville, Tenn. 37212-1001

Hi Nathaniel:

Sorry for the delay in getting this review to you.  

Excellent Book! Kept me reading throughout an entire Boston - Munich flight. As a professional karate instructor, I really enjoyed the accurate and detailed martial arts references. Santucci, the "down to earth" self defense master, is a person you want nearby in a life or death struggle. Thankfully, he turns out to be one of the "good" guys and a major player in the novel.

I'm a big fan of Robert Ludlum, Ken Follett, Clive Cussler and Robin Moore. I read everything they publish. Gilbert Visconti's "The Joint Venture" will be my favorite novel of the year and one I will highly recommend to my action/mystery reading friends.

For me, the only downside was not being able to put the book down once I started reading it. 

Regards, George E. Mattson 
International Uechi-ryu Karate Federation 

 ======================

Greetings, George:

Many thanks for your kind words. When I send our author on a promotion swing through the Boston area, I'll make sure he gives you a call. He took a karate course himself, but he really learned from his brown belt daughter. 

He came by his knowledge of boxing through his father, who taught him the value of a good left jab. He parlayed that jab into the junior heavyweight (he was only a light heavyweight, technically) championship of Oslo, Norway, when he was a Fulbright student there. That was his last bout -- I understand that his wife took care of that.

Bad News for those people looking for Kimi (Jars)

VERY IMPORTANT THE POTTER IS NOT MAKING JARS ANY LONGER the ones i have are mostly glazed except maybe one or two sets probably 8 all together he says he cannot do them for health reasons [ cant work on anything for two days after completing two sets] i hadn't realized they were hard on him i will try to get a new potter and still stay in the same ball park thanks again shelly 

Hopefully Shelly will be bringing these 8 sets to SummerFest!! GEM

!!!NEWS FLASH!!! 

The NEJUKCS website is still up and running. ATTBI has changed their name to Comcast. Therefore just replace the ATTBI.com with Comcast.net to get to the site. For those who did not know we had a website or how to get there the NEW ADDRESS is http://NEJUKCS.home.comcast.net 

I have updated the next tourney (Raffi's New England Championship) page with the new registration form. 

To all Sensei who had students win championships and did not receive their medals: I will be giving the medals and their championship certificates to you at the SummerFest Camp. 

Len Testa Director NEJUKCS 

Windows of Heaven!

Author David Nishimoto

What it means to be a Kempo Karate Man. The study of Kempo Karate requires a life time of diligent thought. Many hours of isolated study and concentrated thought and practice are necessary to build the inner strength found in Karate. Mediation builds the focus within the mind. The mind focused build confidence and well begin for the body. Its during these quiet hours of movement and reflection some of the most profound understanding and enlightenment occur, for the Karate man. 

In a era of music, expensive cars, endless ranges of entertainment, and recreation; our society has acquired excessive levels of wealth; this wealth is producing children who seek pleasure above work. In my day pleasure could be acquired by reading a book or learning by experiment how something works. Today, children expect information to arrive completely digested, microwave heated, and entertaining. Work is replace by knowledge and this knowledge is controlled by the media. The question remains what kind of karate men are we creating? 

Karate equalizes the imbalance created by information rich societies. There is no respecter of person within the art of karate. A kick is a kick, a punch is a punch, and a man is a man. Karate seeks to return man back to an appreciation of quietness, peace, and harmony. In contrast, information and knowledge of itself is not in harmony and represents: contradiction, conflict, and disrespect for nature. The study and observation of force and motion is blindly ignored. The study of the animals forms by the ancients brought an awareness to the karate man of his environment. Understanding and moving in accordance to the forces of nature were manifest through animals, such as the snake, crane, leopard, bear, tiger, and ram. Year after year the teacher shares knowledge of this animal like movement, but only after much thought does the student realize the importance his relationship to obstruction and seeks to harmonize the with the force and neutralize it. Warmth, an excitement for personal development, and wisdom were imparted by the teacher. 

Karate is not about fighting, even though the principles of fighting are taught. Karate is more about the development of man. Some theorist believe karate was used to measure the physical and mental condition of the practitioner. Only by building a strong mind, spirit, and body could the true forces of karate be manifest. The true force exhibited crushing power at a touch; intense paralyzing pain to a joint, nerve, or muscle group; and projection through the invisible energy of Chi. Experience was respected because it was expected that the practitioners chi increased through constant application of karate over time. Quality was produced by constant repetition over time. Those who possess chi measured the capability of the opponent by the level of chi they perceived. It was expected most would not fight, if they believe the other person possessed greater chi.

Karate is not combat. Its the study of force and motion. What about ground work and grappling? Both are still the study of force. All possibilities are not explored within ones life. Only a general guideline of harmony. One should seek to gain a passive opposition to violence. It is immoral to inflict cruelty, pain, and injury upon another human being. In all cases, if the possibility of survival against high injury can not be avoid violence must be inflicted. The injury should be done with a focused and clear mind, so that the degree of injury is proportional to the threat. 

In all cases, the defender mind should be open to the holy spirit. So, at the very moment the impressions from heaven can be drawn to ones defense. Karate makes no claims to possess all the endless techniques or philosophies of man only that the need for personal revelation is required in a conflict. 

Suppose a woman or child is suddenly attacked, it is possible the power of God would replace their fear with strength. Rather than seeing a monster the see a contest of force. The loser possess less understanding of the way of motion and force. The attacker could be repulse by such power and thought. Further more, the very intent of the attack canl be perceived and a path of escape found. Silently the forms teach to find the path of escape. So the quiet meditative practices put the practitioner in touch with energy in his environment, the thoughts and intents of man, and the power of God. Karate should never seek to put man at the center of the universe. Rather Karate should open the windows of heaven to the infinite possibilities of motion.

Copyright 2002 Eastern Arts & Humanities Center, Inc. All rights reserved.