February, 2004 mailbag

Note: In the course of a month I get literally thousands of e-mail. I don't normally place correspondence in the "Mailbag" that are either labeled "personal" or contain information of a personal nature. As I read and answer mail, if I find a letter that I find interesting, amusing, topical or educational, it gets filed in my "mailbag" for future use in this feature. I try to edit out any personal information like addresses or telephone numbers, unless the writer specifically requests that I publish it.

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

Subject: Fujian Kung Fu Research

Dear Master George Mattson,

My name is David Friedman and am a student of Shaolin Kung Fu. My teacher passed away 11 years ago and I myself am on a quest for the roots of my system, which too, is almost lost in obscurity.

I had the pleasure of watching your tapes "The search for Sushiwa", and the Fukien demo tape. They were most inspiring indeed, and I plan to go back to China as you did to find the old links. The performance of your system was most impressive also. The old school indeed.

I do not know how far you have come in your research for the systems roots. I would like to provide you thee links that may be of interest.

The first is a web page in chinese and it appears to have some articles on Fujian Crane System's power training - pole shaking and standing pole-stance training. Perhaps you can have it translated:

http://www.wushuweb.com/forum/Announce/Announce.asp?BoardID=105&ID=201024

and on the same site something on the systems Sanchin/three battles:

http://www.wushuweb.com/forum/Announce/Announce.asp?BoardID=105&ID=201470

The other site if you are not aware, is a group researching and training in Fujian Crane system. They do a lot of interviews of masters in Fujou/Fujien. It is a $15 monthly membership, but it has video clips of many styles, photo's and interviews. Perhaps there will be something to be found out from this group.

http://www.kungfu-taichi.com/servlet/kungfoo/Action/HomeHub/

I personally am intersted in the Fujian styles because some of my Kung Fu seems to be Northern Six Harmony Fist. Wan Lai Sheng was a northern style teacher who taught in the area in the 1930's. Also I have a few other southern sets that "may" come from Fujian area, ie "Fierce Tiger Descends the Mountain" and "Big Buddha Palm". My teacher also taught us some hard dynamic tension training methods, which look similar to Sanchin. The internal aspects look similar, but the outer movement was different perhaps. It builds deadly power. It is sad a lot of Kung Fu/Martial Arts has been
lost.

I just thought I would send you these links and perhaps they will be of a little interest.

Warmest Regards

David Friedman
San Francisco

Hi David:
I've been trying to clear my mailbox and discovered your email. I'm not sure if I answered it or not. Sorry to hear about your teacher. Mine is advancing in age, but fortunately is in good health.

Pleased to learn that you enjoyed the "search" tapes. I view them at least once a year and still enjoy them. I'm doing business with a Shanghai company, so expect to be visiting China again in February.

We lost our Grandmaster a few years ago and many of the seniors splintered off into their own organizations. Although we are all friendly, there isn't the incentive or motivation to continue the search. What we have learned may well be the last word on the subject.

Of course, there continues to be speculation and rumors, but nothing that can be verified. I looked at the Chinese web site and will have my Chinese partner translate some of the more interesting sections. I'll let you know if there is anything of value.

If you have an opportunity, drop into our forums and introduce yourself to our people. We do get into discussions about history, but right now there seems to be more interest in "reality" training. Drop me a line now and then. Good luck with your training. Regards, George

Is the vidmag Superempi the lost Kata of Uechi Ryu still available to be bought? Where could I find a video that teaches Uechi Ryu in fighting? I hope to hear form you soon thank you for your time.

Sincerely Jim Morrill

Sure is Jim. You might also check out Bill Glasheen's excellent instructional video/dvd. He does a great job demonstrating and teaching Superempi in a way that will help you learn it yourself. GEM

Hi George,

I have spoke with Shai last night. He told me he had had very nice experience with your and your seniors. Thank you very much for that.

I hope that this meeting contributed something to your efforts "to perform further, higher, faster". My experience brough me to conclusion that understanding of bio-mechanical aspects of our internal and external movements as well as of connected to them emotional motivations is very important. It's practical implementation is highly beneficial to every Martial Artist of every style.

All your remarks and ideas for future cooperation will be thankfully accepted.

Best wishes and a lot of thanks,

Shai did an excellent job teaching a drill from your very unique system, Moshe. Interesting how many of the flowing principals are also found in Uechi-ryu. We really found the practical fighting applications interesting and helpful. Looking forward to seeing Shai at more classes before he returns to Israel. I posted some pictures in the "New Gallery".

Note: The "New Gallery" can be accessed from the drop down menu on our home page.

February 7, 2004: The "Hut" had a very interesting visitor from New Hampshire. Forrest Elliott and him mom came down to work out with the famous "Hut" gang. Elliott did so well in the first class, he was invited to work out with Black Belts in the second class. Two and a half hours of hard work and Elliott came through it all like a black belt.

I bet he will have lots of stories to tell his buddies back at his home dojo. Especially going through the gauntlet doing our "In-Your-Face Sanchin".

Dear Sensei Mattson,

THANK YOU so much for letting Forrest join your class today. Please pass along to Obi and Paul that Forrest thanks them as well. Forrest talked non-stop all the way home from Newton about his 2 1/2 hours with you! We hope that Forrest will be able to join your class again sometime (when the sun is shining and it's 80 degrees)! We are going to do our best to have Forrest make it to Summerfest in July.
. . . .
Again, thank you for your kindness, and have a safe trip to Florida!

Sincerely, Jennifer Elliott

Subject: Your Book

Mr. Mattson, My Sensei Tsukasa Higa let me borrow your book Uechiryu karate Do to read, it was one of the best books on the martial arts I have ever read. I studied this art only for a short time many years ago while stationed on Okinawa. Im happy to say that Im back on the road to learning Uechiryu again. Thank you for all your effort and dedication to bring this very special discipline to America.

Sincerely, Mike Shelby

Hi Mike:

Thanks for your very kind letter. I'm very happy to hear that you are studying Uechi-ryu again. Where are you working out?

Drop in to our forums and join the many different discussions. Stay in touch...

Happy New Year.. Best,
George Mattson

Dear Sensei Mattson,

I moved from Tulsa, Oklahoma to Temecula, California three months ago, so I would appreciate it if you could change my contact infomation on your web site. My new phone number is 909-704-3445 and the email address is the same.

Thank you very much.

Manabu

Hi Team!

Late notice, I know, but I am hosting a Personal Defense Readiness program at my school for the next 5 weeks. The classes will be held every Saturday from 2—4.

The class is open to returning members of our in-house PDR team and to any of your interested students, friends and family members.

The cost of the course is only $99 for the entire 5 weeks, which includes learning materials and all of the training you can stand!

If you cannot make every session, you can participate in individual sessions for $25 each.

The general outline for the course follows. Please call/email me with questions, or to register. The class is limited to 10.

WEEK 1: General combatives, NVP, CWCT, Introduction to the SPEAR (I’ll decipher for you later!)

WEEK 2: Demystification of a street fight, ECT, SPEAR vs. common attacks

WEEK 3: Ballistic Groundfighting, How to defeat a grappler

WEEK 4: Bladed and Ballistic weapon defense

WEEK 5: BMF training, including full speed HIGH GEAR scenario practice!

Hope to see you all there! Be sure to refer and/or bring a friend!

Stay safe,

Gary

Gary J. Khoury
www.khouryskarate.com

Subject: Uechi-Ryu in China

Dear Sensei,

I will be visiting China next year and I would love to have the opportunity to visit a Uechi-Ryu dojo. Would you have any suggestions on how I would proceed?

Brian Stoodley East Hants Uechi-Ryu Nova Scotia, Canada

Hi:

Although there are no Uechi dojo in China, you might look up Li Duan of the China Fuzhou Wushu Association. He helped us during our '85 trip to discover Shushiwa. Try writing a letter to him at:

10 Gu le Xiang Guy Tian Rd. Fuzhou, 350005, China

His telephone number is 591-335-1886

Let him know that you know me and he will take good care of you.

Good luck with your trip and stay in touch. By the way, you should really get our two tape video or DVD set on our historic trip to China called "Search for Shushiwa" I and II volume.

Best, George

Mr. Mattson, can you refer me to an instructor/dojo in the white plains, ny/fairfield county, ct. area? thanks, Lou

Louis C. Kirven III, esq.

Hi George

I am looking for a school in sydney Australia

Any recommendations?

Thanks

john King

Hi John: Lots of good dojo in Australia. Check the "instructor's/dojo" listing. GEM

My name is Jeff Miller and I live in the state of Pennsylvania.. For many months now I have been researching and looking into the philosophies and the history of Uechi / Shohei Karatedo and I must admit I find myself wanting to know more and more because it truly fascinates me..

I'm going to head up and check out a Uechi / Shohei dojo very soon that Is run by Sixth degree blackbelt Dr. Dan Rinchuse and showcases many great visiting instructors like Jack Summers and Peggy Hess. The dojo also offers training and instruction in Shingitai Jiu Jitsu from John Saylor who was an olympic Judo coach for some years..

I always wanted to learn karate and now I finally at the age of twenty eight have both the time and money to do so..And as I said Uechi / Shohei and all of it's many great attributes is the style i want to be a part of and I want as a part of my path not only for the great and devastating techniques for self defense should the need arise but also for the history and beauty of this particular martial art..I've looked at many styles but Uechi / Shohei just draws me in..

It seems like it is a style of deep knowledge in simplicity while being very deceptive in it's complexity...Well anyhow I'm taken by it and I would ask you if you would please provide some comments on Mr. Rinchuse and what you think of his instruction..? Also Mr. Shinjo one of the legendary practitioners of this style looks like he was carved from granite. Thanks Mr. Mattson....

Best Wishes, Jeff Miller

Hi Jeff:

Good luck with your Uechi-ryu training. Dan Rinchuse is an excellent teacher and a fine person. You could not have picked a better teacher.

Stay in touch and let me know how you are doing.

Best, George Mattson

Subject: Tournament Information

Dear Sensei Mattson,

I hope your new year has gotten of on the right foot. I was just wondering if you knew roughly when the your tournament will be held in May. The are some school trips for the seniors and I just was trying to get a better feel for if I could go. If you know when it is that's awesome or maybe when the date will be decided that would be great. I got the packed from the IUKF and I am really excited about trying to go to more seminars and talking ot more people in our style outside of my Dojo.

Thanks for every thing!!!

Sincerely Nathan Harker

Tournament Championships this year will be held June 12th. You can check the calendar on the home page for all our activities and events. Looking forward to seeing you participate in many of our IUKF events. GEM

I am trying to contact Terry Donahue up in Scotland but I can not find any details. Could you email his address and phone number please. He has contacted me but I can not find the details at home. I am looking forward to the Boston trip with great interest and more importantly working out with some great people again.

Hi Jim. Looking forward to attending your Feb seminar. Terry sent me his contact information last month. I've recorded it in the "Instructor/dojo" listing. GEM

George,

Thank you very much for your kind words and for posting the first chapter on your forum. Also, I appreciate the comments you made on the forum. When I set out to write this book it was intended for people such as yourself, people who have been studying this art for most of their lives and who appreciate what Okinawa and its legacy is all about. It is very rewarding to know that I was successful in that attempt and that the endless hours I spent studying old texts and interviewing people for authenticity have paid off. If there is anything I can do in the future to help you in any way please let me know.

I will be starting some promotional trips for the book sometime this year. One of the things we have in mind is to set up a clinic and spend some time afterward signing copies and discussing the book with interested students. If you are at all interested in something like that let me know. I do clinics and seminars on Okinawan weapons, kata and bunkai, jo/boken, jujitsu basics and a few other related topics. All proceeds after travel would go to the sponsor.

Thanks again for everything and I hope to meet you someday soon.

Respectfully, Robert Hunt

Good luck with your book Robert. I really enjoyed reading it and have recommended it highly to my friends and students. I'd like to discuss having you attend our SummerFest this year. GEM

Hi George. Thanks for Your answer and question. I made them myself and booth are from the place where I live (Croatia- Opatija, Bay of Kvarner) on the Adriatic sea.

All the best Viktor Iglic

- Bill Glasheen

Great picture Bill. However, we will stick with our traditional "Chad" and Santa picture during the holidays. GEM

February, 2004 Mailbag

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