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Hello gmattson

You received the following message from: Karateka (Karateka@uninets.net) 

At: http://www.SportKarate.org/forums/

Went to your site, and am amazed. With no New England Open this year, where are you holding your tournament? Speaking of tournaments, I watched your section of NEO several years ago, and was most impressed by your Kumite divisions, but still have not been able to find a copy of the official rules. At that time, it seemed one of the most progressive point style fighting systems I have yet to see, but still am curious of the official rules. Where can I possibly get a copy? Again, great site. 

Thanks for the kind words. We are working on a site location that will allow this year's Uechi-ryu Championships to be the best ever. We have posted the latest draft of the "Open" event's rules on our tournament site. We are also going to be hosting a special team competition, using the more formal WKF type rules at this tournament. GEM

Hello Mr. Mattson:

Would you answer some questions for me:
. . . 

Hello . .  .

You have asked many important questions that many traditionalist (no only from Uechi-ryu) have asked over the past 40 years. I'll try to answer your questions as asked:

1. Sanchin is the foundation of Uechi. Every move, every breath is important for training and understanding Uechi-ryu. Why is then that in Kyu and Dan kumite and all other fighting applications (those that were showen to me) I have to move backwards when defending, but Sanchin has only forward movement?

GEM: Sanchin movements are not just fighting movements, but strengthen one's body and tempers one's mindset during battle. It is a mistake to think that all fighting movements are performed one way. Movement is dictated by the actions of your opponent and your positioning and awareness during an attack. 

2. Is the point of sanchin testing to beat up the student through punching every part of his body, or should one test the correct contraction and breathing through medium hard punches to carefully picked parts. What is the write time to start the full-contact testing with full power punches and who should do it (I think sanchin testing is an art of its own and that it should be specially learned)?

GEM: The word "testing" is not appropriate for what the teacher does to the student during sanchin. "Checking" is more appropriate. The teacher must not train the student to "accept" blows while standing like a robot. "Checking" the student is a way the teacher has to build confidence in the student during the kata. The student must never hold his/her breath during the kata or unnaturally tense the body in order to take the teacher's "checking". A teacher must know the student's limitations and never force a student to pose unnaturally, in order to withstand the teacher's blows. This whole area of "testing" has been misused terribly over the past 30 years. Originally, the Okinawans impressed audiences during demonstrations, by showing how tough their senior students were, by hitting them with blows during Sanchin. Naturally, students enjoyed these tests of strength and gradually began doing them during class. The old masters never "tested" their students in this way, since such uncontrolled blows severely damaged student's confidence and often resulted in actual physical injuries. Unfortunately, Uechi-ryu has become famous, or I should say infamous, for their abuse of students, who learn to stand motionless while their instructors beat on them.

3. Why should I pull the punching arm totally back on the side of my body before punching when I in this way open the whole side to an attack of the opponent? Can it be that a uechi fighter uses his hands similary to a wing chun fighter, without pulling the arm to the side by every punch?

GEM: "Chambering" (drawing one's arm back) is a basic movement found in kata. In an actual fight, one would attack from wherever one's arms happen to be. Chambering is often accompanied with a forceful "tiger" like grabbing of an arm, shoulder, head with your other arm. The chambered arm is then in the best position to deliver a strong elbow strike or other counter attacking move.

4. Forward and backward moving in Uechi applications is not consistant with 45 degree stands in Uechi katas. Should a uechi fighter always go in to the attacker and then position him self 45 deegres on the side of the attacker?

GEM: There are no prescribed moves in any fighting style. You train to maintain an upright (sort of Uechi) stance while moving. The movement itself is dictated by your fighting strategy, based on your best move possible to defeat your opponent. Our kata practice gives us all the possible moves, but what you will actually do in a fight will be based on many variables, not the least being your opponent's actions.

5. Uechi katas have a lot of punching blocking combinations? Is it possible that in a fighting situation a uechi fighter uses punching and blocking simultaneously as in Wingchun and other southern Chinese styles, attacking the center line of the attacker and defending his own?

GEM: Of course. Uechi practitioners get bogged down with counting. In reality, counting is for white belts. Black belts should try to perform two and three count movements as one movement. You are confusing training with reality, as indeed do many students and teachers.

6. How does the practical application of the soft-hard principles of Uechi look in reality? 

GEM: Think of a whip. How fast could a whip be if it were rigid? The goal of Uechi is to release techniques and concentrate all energy at the point of contact. Most Uechi practitioners only move from the shoulder, which eliminates any possibility of developing power from the body. This comes about because of a misunderstanding of the Uechi dynamics found and reinforced in our kata. (Same type of misunderstanding that is found with body "testing".)

7. I believe that grappling plays a great role in Uechi (the tiger style). Is it so?

GEM: Yes indeed. Here again is a good example of not understanding the applications of kata. Too many teachers just mimic what their teachers showed them. Kata, once learned, should be explored.

8. Uechi ryu has in its origin no closed fist punches, only kyo-sho punches like shoken, boshiken, nukite... How does one train this important part of Uechi-ryu? Is it more realistic to use this in in-fight and on the floor during a fight with wrestlers and grapplers?

GEM: If you are involved with any sport fighting, you must adhere to the rules of the game. This will prevent you from using many uechi tools which you might find useful on the street. Mindset is important to understand regarding street fighting. Our kata shows eye strikes. Can you actually do this to an opponent during a fight? 

9. What is more connected to the roots of Uechi concepts: the light or no contact sparring and competition or the full contact sparring and competition like in kyokushinkai?

GEM: Tough question, best left up to you. Understand that the closer you practice to realism, the better prepared for an actual fight you will be. I've seen many "no contact" fighters survive real battles and I've seen tough, full contact fighters go down in a real fight. There is no secret, no formula for success. To many individual variables to recommend a surefire practice method. I'm a great believer in cross training (And wingtsun is a fantastic method, very compatible with Uechi) and realistic scenario sessions to compliment your traditional Uechi.

10. Is it possible that Uechi-ryu through time became a kind of fitness training, became more hard and lost his true concepts and fighting philosophy that it had when master Kambun came from China?

All these questions came to me during my training with my former sensei. I also had the opportunity to see and train under other high ranked teachers from Slowenia (sensei Prasnikar) and sensei Shimabokuro and sensei Takeyasu from France and sensei Higa and Nakamatsu from Okinawa. But not one moment did any of them demonstrated something that was different from all that I have seen (I do not doubt however their mastery in uechi ryu that they teach). It was always the same thing. Repetition of movements without explaining and without any logic or concept behind it. I believe that the concepts of Uechi are in danger of disappearing forever, but I am sure that they existed or still exist. In the end I will tell you why I was ashamed of my black belt. The reason was the way how I got it. I had to stand in front of a black belt commission and repeat the different uechi movements in the way I saw my sensei do them and that was all... I still have a deep love in me for the Uechi style. I believe Uechi ryu is a beautiful way of fighting and finding a way to one true self. Please, try to find time to answer my questions. You are a experienced man with a lot of years of training behind you. I will respect your opinion and be thankful for your time.

GEM: Absolutely. Times are different today then a hundred fifty years ago. In many ways, we live in a more dangerous time, with enemies who are more sophisticated and knowledgeable about fighting then any of Kanbun's enemies. Many people believe it is best to carry a gun for actual self defense and train with their traditional methods for timing, coordination, sport and exercise. Certainly not a bad combination. However, incorrectly training may actually give students a false sense of confidence, should the teacher not inform the student that they are just doing "sport" or "exercise" karate.

I hope this has helped you a little. Not sure if you read our forums. (link found at http://uechi-ryu.com ) We talk about these questions often. If you don't mind, I'll post your letter and my answers on the forums to get other opinions.

Best, George E. Mattson

========================================  

Hello every one & sensei, I hope this e-mail will find you & your family are all in best health & sprit, and have a nice new year. This year I hope to have good friendship & relationship with you too. Now, I beleive it is most important to construct peaceful world without terrorism & poverty.

Best Regards

Your friend Keisuke Fujimoto

Chairman of Okikukai Tokyo branch Japan.

Official website: http://www.okikukai.jp/ 

Mattson Sensei,

Thanks for the recent referral from a potential student looking for Uechi-Ryu in my area. He said that the address for my schools on your website refer to my old address - I moved about 2 years ago.

Please update my information on your website:

Academy of World Champion Nestor Folta, Headquarters (Authentic/Traditional Uechi-Ryu Karate-Do) Master Folta, Owner/Head Instructor 11315 Lapham Drive Oakton, VA 22124 Tel: 703-620-4242

I've been very fortunate. The schools are growing steadily. We are at 3 locations now, and plan to open at a 4th location in the Spring.

My regards to you and Susan for healthy and happy holidays.

Once again, thanks very much for the referral.

VR, Mr. Folta, Owner/Head Instructor Academy of World Champion Nestor Folta 

Season's Greetings Sensei Mattson!

I am writing to ask you to please update the dojo/ instructor listing page(s). I am no longer teaching in Nova Scotia Canada, and have moved back & opened a home dojo in Busan South Korea. My webpage www.easthants.com/karate will stay the same for now. Also anyone wishing to train and tour in S.Korea or Japan are welcome to visit and stay with me and my family.

Best Regards; Scott Taylor Uechi-Ryu Korea

Sir:

I was wondering if the suparempai video that you once offered is still available?

Thank You

Ron Shively

Yes Ron. We have two excellent videos/DVDs on this fascinating form. Check the store at http://karateworld.safeshopper.com/14/cat14.htm?678 for Bill Glasheen's or http://karateworld.safeshopper.com/14/cat14.htm?678 for Simon Lailey's.

Subject: long lost student


I studied under Bob Morman in the early 70's, in Encinitas. I was wondering if the studio and Bob were still around? Please respond.

Bill Glennon

p.s. i did have the pleasure of meeting you when i was 7 years old.

Hi Bill:

Believe it or not, I seem to remember a young man who studied with Bob during my visit. Perhaps it was you. 

Bob, unfortunately, died in the desert about 10 years ago. His car's radiator was punctured by a rock and he was stranded and eventually ran out of water.

There are people who still train in you areas. Let me know if you are interested in working out again and I'll send their names and tel numbers.

Stay in touch. (I hope you visit the Uechi web http://uechi-ryu.com ) check on the forums and please say hello. GEM

For your holiday enjoyment:

http://www.cayoosh.net/music/xmasindex.html http://www.cayoosh.net/music/pianoindex.html

Some of you receiving this are extremely old friends and contacts, some of whom haven't heard from me in years (hopefully you'll remember who I am). Others are web contacts or casual acquaintances or familiars from my personal life, or people met through work or study or in my travels and sundry other adventures, some newly encountered in life or on the web, and even (gasp) some of my former music professors from very long ago - all chosen because I thought might like the music that's linked to below, at least in the spirit of the season (without any claims to virtuosity or technique). All the music here is improvised, unarranged tracks, so it's a bit rough but the tunes are at least suitably jolly or otherwise seasonal. Enjoy.

Main directory and other subpages not yet finished. Personal notes sent to each of you when I get the time; responses from those long unheard-from more than welcome, of course. 

Seasons Best to All, and to All a Good Night. 4:34 am.

Mike Cleven

Please advise of any broken links; this is a late-night upload and I've probably missed files..

Happy holidays to all, and enjoy the two pictures.

- Bill

RE: Schools/ Instructors in Ontario, Canada.

Hi George, I would greatly appreciate the above information. I am living in Barrie Ontario. Thanks

I was recently in Toronto and was speaking with David Mott. We were discussing why there was no dojo in Ottawa.

He gave me a contact ,a James Walker but he does not have the time . I myself have been in Ottawa for 5years and 

Have told many of my friends about Uechi-ryu .many even some instructors of other styles have not heard of it.

There are many places in Ottawa to hold classes. Even a summer camp in the nations capital would be nice.

I know personally about 20 or 30 people who would be happy to take lessons.

My passion for uechi-ryu comes from my time spent training with sensei Macleod in nova scotia.it was time not wasted.

From this letter I am hoping that there is some way to get a dojo in Ottawa.


Thank you for your time 

Jason McMaster. 

 Subject: Hello from Uxbridge, Ontario Canada!


Dear Sensei Mattson,

On behalf of my sensei and the students of the Uxbridge Uechi-Ryu Karate Academy, I send you our greetings and we hope that both you and your family in Boston are keeping well.

I am also pleased to advise that our dojo finally has a web site. If you have a moment and would like to view it, our web address is http://www.uxbridgekarate.com . Any comments or suggestions you may have, would be greatly appreciated. 

For your records, the e-mail address of our dojo has changed from KORTIM@msn.com to mailbox@uxbridgeuechiryu.com .

Sincerely,

Tim Koressis

dear Mr. Mattson 
My name is Viktor Iglic and I have my dojo in Croatia in nice tourist town Opatija on the coast of the Adriatic sea.I practice Uechi Ryu about 25 years and Tai chi 20 years. My phone number has changed : ++385 91 3327021 and e-mail is : viktoriglic@hotmail.com. I am reading often Your web site and iI find it very good. I wish you a lot of health - Viktor

Thanks for sending me an update on your dojo. I'll update your listing as soon as possible. GEM

Dear George-

My name is Katherine Piszczak, and my father used to be stationed on Okinawa between 1989-1991. While I was there with my family, I was enrolled in the Camp McTureous Dojo, under Gordi Breyette. I currently am searching for a dojo somewhere around my school so that now that I am older, I may continue my studies, and now that I am old enough to attain iikyu, get it. (I left the island a month before the special iikyu came out for underage blackbelts.)

I noticed that there is a dojo at the University of Virginia, and was trying to get in contact with Sensei Breyette so that I could get some materials emailed to me or mailed to me so that I could resume my studies and workouts. A 7 year time span is a bit much to remember all of the Sei-Ryu kata.

I guess my point to this email is asking if you had an email address with which I could get in touch with Sensei Breyette, or whether you could help me find someone who could help me.

Thank you very much for any help you could provide for me.

Sincerely, Katherine

HI M. MATTSON, I AM LOOKING FOR LEARNING UECHI RYU KARATE I AM LIVING IN MONTREAL,QUEBEC CANADA. I AM A BLACK BELT IN AIKIDO AND ALWAYS BEEN INTERESTED IN UECHI RYU HISTORY SO IF YOU KNOW ABOUT A SCHOOL IN MY AREA PLEASE LET ME KNOW, THANKS , SERGE BELANGER. 

Please check the "Instructor's" listing. The link is on our home page. GEM

 Subject: Hello and a question


Dear Mr. Mattson, 

I doubt you’d remember me but I studied at your Downtown Boston dojo for three years from ‘76-’79 (I was a brown belt; I had previously studied Uechi for 2 years at another dojo). You only occasionally instructed my classes but we chatted on a number of occasions. I left Boston to get my MBA at Dartmouth, and then moved to Europe—leaving Karate behind, unfortunately, for many years. For what it’s worth I have tremendous memories of your dojo and some great instructors—Bobby Campbell, Clarence, etc—It really was a foundational experience for me. I now live in Santa Fe, New Mexico, and am a management consultant and writer (I have a best-selling business book that came out last year called “Clients for Life.”)

My 17 year old son recently begin studying Shotokan Karate in earnest (reminding me of myself, when I started Karate at around 18). So, 22 years since my last class at your dojo, I decided to join him. Aside from saying hello after many years, I had a question: is there a relationship between Shotokan and Uechi? Many of the moves and stances are quite similar (they utilize both circular and linear movements, for example). I was also struck by the warm-up routine and stretching exercises: virtually identical to the Uechi workout I used to do. At this dojo they also do traditional Okinawan weapons—Sai, Bo, etc; I used to practice a Sai kata at your dojo. 

Thank you for your time. And congratulations on the growth of Uechi—I was very impressed by your web site! (PS—where is Bobby Campbell today?)

With warmest regards Andrew Sobel 

I do remember you Andrew. . . Congratulations on achieving many wonderful goals in your life. I am indeed impressed. Hopefully you will drop into our Forums from time to time and share some of your wisdom with the thousands of martial artist who read and post there.

Actually, it sounds as though you are studying a offshoot Shotokan system. The traditional Shotokan techniques and exercises are as different from Uechi-ryu as water and oil! There are many "highbred" systems out there, that mix and match styles. . . Or perhaps because you have been away from formal training for so long, you recognize some of the generic karate techniques we also practice in Uechi, but are not really a part of our system. 

Any chance that we can exchange books? I have a couple of new titles out that you might enjoy. One of my students (Harvey Liebergott) wrote a wonderful book based on the Summer Camp experiences. He interviewed many of the Okinawan masters and non-Okinawan seniors. Bob Campbell is featured in one of the more lengthy interviews. Bob, by the way, is still living and working in Hong Kong. He has been there for quite a few years.

In addition to my Uechi-ryu, I'm trying to make money representing a large Pakistan manufacturing plant. Please check out our website at http://www.sunwinsports.com . Perhaps you can offer a few business tips. :)

Please wish your son the best of luck and to you. . . Be careful in your training. Most Shotokan dojo specialize in sparring big time. . . Not the best for guys our age. Make sure you control your progress, emphasis and direction. Stay healthy and train for a lifetime.

Best, George ps. We have a dojo in N.M. You can look him up in our "dojo/instructor" listing. Stephen Vosa: Albuquerque NM: 505-268-8797 

Hi George, 

I'm delighted to get your invitation, and to be kept in the loop. Though I can't make it out this year, I'm thinking of ways I can combine a family visit with Summer Camp attendance. Yes, I remember the 1983 camp and very fondly. It actually had an enduring effect on my understanding of Uechi. Just to let you know, I am actively continuing my study and progressing, both technically and in understanding. It gets more exciting and rewarding all the time. 

Besides self-study, I work out with Jerry McDonald a couple of times a month, and visited with Joe Graziano recently. He was Forrest and Carmine's student, then Walter's, now Shinyu Gushi's. A very knowledgeable and powerful karateka. I still think of you frequently, and though I can't visit this year I hope to in the not too distant future.

Paul Haydu

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