July, 2002 Mailbag

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George,

My name is Michael Keller. I live with my wife and two sons in a suburb northwest of Milwaukee Wisconsin. Many years ago I studied Uechi Ryu under Sensei Earle Van Gilder. Earle and I became good friends, but in the course of time we diverged as we both moved to different cities. I have tried to locate Earle recently, but have not been able to find him.

During our time of study together, Earle showed me his teaching certificate that he received from Sosai Masutatsu Oyama. I vaguely recall that Earle indicated he knew you and that you were students together at one time. I do not recall whether Earle studied Uechi Ryu under Mas Oyama or at some other Dojo. Nor do I recall whether he said he knew you from Kyokushinkai or some other place. I thought that Earle had shown me a picture with Mas Oyama and one of his classes. In that picture were Earle and I thought you as well.

Starting in 1982 I studied Uechi Ryu with Earle for 5 years and then continued to study on my own for another 5 years. After 2 years Earle awarded me a brown belt after which I continued to study and teach for the 3 remaining years. During the time with Earle, I studied the Katas thru Konchin. Before we stopped practicing together we were in the process of trying to find someone who had a video of Sanseirui so that we could learn it together. With the advent of my young family, moving to a new city and the lack of any contact with other Uechi Ryu practitioners, I eventually stopped practicing around 1994. 

Shortly after Earle and I stopped practicing together I was traveling for business and had the opportunity to workout with Dave Sargent in the San Jose Dojo (I think spring 1986). At that time Dave suggested that I test for San Dan. However, this was impractical since the closest Dojo Earle and I were aware of at the time was in Boston. I never officially received a black belt of any level since Earle indicated that at least 3 ranking black belts were required for the test and the next closest black belt we were aware of lived in Chicago. However, it was sufficient for me to know that I had completed most of the Uechi Ryu training that Earle was able to provide before we parted. The only thing that we were not able to complete was training on some of the weapons, which we had started about a year before I moved.

Now that my two sons have grown to young men, I have started to practice Uechi Ryu again. Last fall I started to teach my older son and one of his friends. At this point, I would like to pick up again and regain the level I had attained before I stopped practicing. I have some videos of myself and an old video of you for some of the Katas. As I endeavor to move on, I wonder if you would be willing to answer a few questions.

1) Do you recall Earle. If so, do you happen to know how to contact him. Also, can you verify the facts regarding how you knew Earle. 2) Do you have any specific suggestions for me either relative to my personal study of Uechi Ryu or pertaining to teaching. 3) Do you have or are you aware of any video tapes that go thru all of the katas including Sanseirui. 4) Do you know of any Uechi Ryu dojos in the Milwaukee area. 5) Do you have any questions for me.

Let me know what you think. Thank you for your time.

Respectfully Michael R. Keller

Hi Michael: 1) I don't remember Earle although the name sounds very familiar. 2) Check out the vidmag series of video tapes in our store to help with your training. You might start a study group with a couple of other people. Working with others will motivate you to continue and I bet lots of your former training will be recalled as you help others learn the basics. 3.) Check out the "Overview" tape in the store. 4.) Check out the "instructor" link, which can be found on the home page. 5.) Stay in touch and good luck. GEM

George,

Do you want me to do the reflex drill seminar at this year's camp? Last year, folks were talking about the "walking injured" from my seminar. Jocular tone but also, perhaps, some seriousness to it? I can say that I had about 20-25 participants in each of the seminars and about 10 participants who went through all three for the progression in complexity/difficulty.

If I do the seminar this year, I will limit it to brown belts and up. 

david moy

Everyone enjoyed your seminars David and will be very disappointed if you "took it easy" on them this year. GEM

Dear Master Mattson, I had the chance to speak to you a few years ago and I sent you a fax as well. Your lovely reply was a letter plus a free videotape nr. 17. 

After a few years I am still surprised by this gift made by such a colomn in the Karate history.

Once more thank you!

I had a few chances to visit Uechi-Ryu dojos both in France (Shimabukuru Sensei in Paris) and in Munich. I am still doing traditional Shotokan but Uechi-Ryu is so interesting for a few reasons. I am planning a brief visit to Minneapolis (I suppose you have an instructor there) and I will probably be in Boston in April (sadly on business). I would like to know if could be possible to make an exam there just to feel "related" to the Uechi-Ryu. As I do not have a minimum background it will be technically poor...

Looking forward to reading from you,

Very best regards,

Antonio Schiavon Venice Italy

You are always welcome in our Uechi-ryu dojo Antonio. Looking forward to meeting you. GEM

Mr. Mattson,


Tiger Paw

Below are pictures of the device that I use to help me with the tiger paw. This was made from things I had around my office and at home (Koolie, end piece of print paper role, golf ball, and super glue). I use this at work on my breaks. This device should work for must of the people. But people with long fingers it may not work correctly. You place your fingers in the same manner as you would in using the "Kame" (the Clay Jars used in Okinawa).

Thank you for your time.

Sincerely

Charles Roberts

Hello guys, Here a three photos from Koshukai... Alan Dollar

Medical Community Identifies Lower Jaw Impacts As #1 cause for Sport Concussions

By: Albert W. Gusenbauer, D.D.S., M.R.C.D. ( C ) 

Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeon

Recent media attention to traumatic brain injuries (TBI’s) in sports is mostly due to the occurrence of these injuries in high profile professional sports athletes. Paul Kariya missed the last 28 games of the 1998 season after his fourth concussion as a result of a Gary Suter cross check to the lower jaw. Eric Lindros finished the 2000 season as a 6-time all-star, and 6-time concussion victim. Victims of career ending concussions include Roger Staubach and Al Toon in football, auto racing’s Bobby Allison and Ernie Ervine, and hockey’s Dave Taylor and Jeff Courtnall. The devastating effect of TBI’s on our younger athletes has become an issue of increasing concern.

Concussions and traumatic brain injuries in sports are the tragic consequence of transfer of the energy of impacts, including lower jaw impacts, to the brain. One intraoral appliance design has evolved beyond the role of tooth protection, to take on the expanded duty of risk reduction for brain and TMJ injury in sports. The coaching professional should have a thorough understanding of the nature and consequences of lower jaw impacts.

Blows to the mobile lower jaw drive the jaw up and back, creating a transfer of energy from the lower jaw to the jaw joint (temporomandibular joint or TMJ) and base of the skull. Dr. Robert Cantu, Neurosurgeon and author of numerous articles and textbooks regarding brain injury in sports, states that blows to the chin, which acts as a lever, produce maximal forces. This fact has long been known in boxing, where the prime target for punches has always been the chin. Even athletes wearing face shields and helmets are at risk of TMJ and traumatic brain injury from lower jaw impacts. Standard NOCSAE* football helmet drop test studies have shown that impact to the football helmet faceguard can displace the helmet and pull on the chin strap, exceeding the pass/fail criteria set for helmets. Drs. J. Stewart and J. Witzig have estimated that in athletes, over 90% of concussions resulting in unconsciousness are a result of blows to the lower jaw. 

The American Orthopedic Society for Sports Medicine state that following brain injury, there is a general metabolic dysfunction within the brain, a decrease in the ability of the brain to regulate its blood flow , and an overall inability of the brain to re-establish a normal physiologic balance. In short, best way to treat a concussion is to reduce the risk prior to the injury. A proactive approach is by far the best medicine.

The Brain Pad™ mouthpiece (http://uechi-ryu.com/store) is fabricated with the following features to address the specific problem of energy transfer into the basal skull area during lower jaw impact.

1. Dual arch design with upper and lower bite channels to lock and hold the lower jaw into a down and forward position, creating a multi-dimensional safety space in the jaw joint area. 

2. A full frontal airway space promotes mouth breathing and speech while clenching the teeth . 

3. A protective lower lingual flange guard minimizes posterior displacement of the mandible during impact. 

4. Down and forward mandibular positioning increases the airway space to optimize breathing during maximal exertion.

Impact to the lower jaw is transmitted to the appliance and thus, the forces are dissipated through the appliance – Not into the TMJ and base of the Brain. 

The risk reduction capacity of The Brain Pad™ was evaluated by Voigt Hodgson at the Wayne State University School of Medicine. In standard NOSCAE drop tests, The Brain Pad™ design provided significant protection in the TMJ and basal skull area, while standard design, custom or boil and bite mouthguards did not meet the pass/fail criteria. Dentists must increase public awareness that, without locking the lower jaw into position, the athlete's brain, TMJ and future quality of life, are at serious risk during lower jaw impacts when practicing or competing in their sport.

Dear Friends, Faculty and Staff, Family, and other assorted Folks--

Aloha from Eric Paul Shaffer. I am sending all of you my live, local, and late-breaking news to accent the opening of Summer, 2002. Enjoy!

Today (6/25), I was informed that my poem "Yadokari: Hermit Crab, Okinawa" will be read on the BBC World Service as part of the ongoing "Meridian Writing" program, which regularly features a poem nominated by BBC listeners. "Yadokari" will be broadcast on Wednesday, July 17, 2002, at 6:05 PM (GMT), which means it will air at 8:05 AM for those of us in Hawai'i. That's 10:05 AM for CA, 11:05 AM for CO, 12:05 PM for the Mississippi, and 1:05 PM for NY. Hope you can find the BBC on your local radio dial or dip into the internet stream. "Yadokari" is from PORTABLE PLANET, my book of poems published in 2000 (available at Borders Books & Music), and I include the poem below.

I have also been invited to return as a featured poet at the Maui Literary Circles 2003 at Maui Community College. In April, 2002, I joined other guest poets Lokahi Antonio and W.S. Merwin. The tentative date for the literary festival is April 4, 2003.

Sara Backer's AMERICAN FUJI is the first selection of the new Honolulu Advertiser Book Club. Sara and I have been friends since 1987, when we met in Davis, California, and we both lived and taught in Japan in the 1990's. Her novel is a delightful, absorbing read, and I recommend it highly (available at Borders Books & Music). Wanda Adams of the Honolulu Advertiser recently interviewed me about Sara's book; if you'd like to read her 16 June article about that interview, follow the link below:

http://the.honoluluadvertiser.com/article/2002/Jun/16/il/il06a.html

Please feel free to contact me for further details--and to forward this e-mail to others who might be interested. Thanks.

Best, 

Eric Paul Shaffer


LIVING AT THE MONASTERY, WORKING IN THE KITCHEN: POEMS ISBN: 1-58775-004-X (paper) BINC (Borders, Inc.): 6752709

PORTABLE PLANET: POEMS ISBN: 1-58775-000-7 (paper) BINC (Borders, Inc.): 6637519

Yadokari: Hermit Crab, Okinawa

He borrows his house, as I borrow mine. We are strangers where we live.

This little crab makes me think I would crawl around the world with my belongings on my back, drag my life behind me every day, to live in the same world of open sand, empty shells, brilliant blue.

In hand, the hermit crab lives up to the name, a shell closed with claws but a warm breeze of breath will bring him out.

Set on the shore, he works a way through humps of white sand, broken branches of coral, sun-bleached beer cans, human footprints.

Life is kind. Move on. Carry what you can.

Good Morning Mr. Mattson,

I would like to have my son attend the Summerfest this year. He is 14, and a junior black belt. My wife and I would like him to attend on his own as we start to "cut the apron stings". There will be adults from his Dojo attending, but he will be more or less on his own. Is the option available from him to attend, or does he need to have a parent attending as well? His mother will be in sight of the Maritime Academy, directly across the bay, and available if necessary.

Please advise.

Thank you 

Mike ....

Hi Mike: Although we will have supervised activities for children from 9am - 5pm Friday and Saturday and from 9am - Noon on Sunday, all children under the age of 17 must be accompanied to camp by someone approved (in writing) by their parents or guardians. GEM

Mr. Mattson, I just got back into town and saw your message about the info needed on the high school programs but did not capture his address. Please feel free to give him my address or send me his and I will follow up. Respectfully, Terry Bryan kyoshibryan@juno.com
www.americanblackbeltacademy.com

Thanks Terry. GEM

Sensei-

I was wondering if you had the email addresses or phone numbers of anybody in the Uechi circle who would be good to talk to about my upcoming move to Japan. Paul Giella had mentioned Jon Mills and Vinny had mentioned Justin Testa as two people who would be good to speak with. Do you have any contact info for them you could forward to me? Also, if you know of any others who wouldn't mind spending some time answering questions I would greatly appreciate any help you could offer.

Best, /.s./

Seth Rosenblatt Online Editor/Arts & Music Editor Herald Interactive Media 254 Second Avenue, Needham, MA 02494 phone: 781.433.7841 fax: 781.433.7888 mailto:srosenblatt@cnc.com 

Sensei Mattson,
I am interested in getting a list of all of the Karate tournaments that are coming up in the next several months. I would be grateful if you could e-mail me only the new England ones.

Thank you,
All the best.
Darrell Chagnon

Dear George E. Mattson:

Hi from Patagonia !

I read you "TEST OR NO TEST", and see you excellent point of view . In the night to listen Oberture by Tchaikovsky ,watch your opinions in the web and I´am not alone. 

Any days I read you last letter for me. Take this principles in my life and Dojo: 

Thank you for you time, 

Best for you mario 

Thank you for you kind and thoughtful letter. I am honored that you were listening to Tchaikovsky while reading my editorial. What magnificent company ! :)

Stay in touch, Best, 
-George Mattson 

Dear George, 

I hope all is well with you and Susan. I'm not sure if you were aware that I had total hip replacement surgery on March 25th. The procedure seems to have gone well. My surgeon is pleased with the results. It is a very painful and still prolonged recovery. The surgery was more invasive than I thought it was going to be and although recovery is going well, my physical therapist keeps telling me to think of recovery in terms of a year or more and not in terms of weeks or months like I want it to be. One day at a time. I am seeing the surgeon on July 3rd and hope to get an OK to not only attend summer camp but also to be able to work out "within limits". I'm still in pain but it's post-surgical not osteoarthritic. 

I'm moving better than I've been able to move in at least 10 years. I hope to return to your Saturday class and Van's Wednesday class as soon as possible. I miss working out in a class structure very badly. I also miss seeing my friends at the classes. 

George, I was reading Bill's forum and came across a post about "hip problems" placed by "Jorvik". Do you have his e-mail address? I would like to contact him personally and share my experience, strength and hope about my proceedure. He sounded pretty depressed. (I can identify with his feelings). If you could help me a would appreciate it. I'll let you know how the surgeon visit goes and I hope to hear from you soon.

Best, Vinny

Subject: Things for us spouses
Sensei Mattson,

My wife is the Martial Artist in this family. While I was doing research on her style - Uechi-ryu I found your web page on the WinterFest 2002. My question is this if we were to come is there a program for those of us who are not into the Martial Arts? I love watching but have no desire to participate. Sherry has just got back into working out and her love for Uechi-ryu is very evident to me and I think the WinterFest would be a great place to spend some time. 

Charlie

Charles S Myers

Hi Charlie:

Please check out the main site at http://uechi-ryu.com and click on SummerFest! http://www.uechi-ryu.com/camp2000/ . 

We have lots of activities for spouses and brand new students. Plus, Cape Cod is a wonderful place to take a vacation and sightsee.

Let me know if you have any other questions. WinterFest has tours for spouses but is much smaller than SummerFest and we haven't addressed the issue of activities for spouses.

Hope you can make our August session. It is the biggest and best martial arts event of the year. And lots of Uechi seminars and classes for your wife.

Best, George Mattson

Subject: Questions concerning book

I am very interested in finding a book with photos of most of the Uechi kata. The ad on your web site for G.E. Mattson's book "Uechi Ryu Karate Do" says it containing pictures of master Kanei Uechi performing kata but it does not tell if these pictures are in sequence (ie; sequence of the kata) or which kata are presented completely. Any information you could provide would be very helpful in making a decision.

Thanks,

Ben Bailey

Hi Ben:

My book is more of a historical depiction of the art. All of the system is shown in pretty good detail except the last kata, Sanseiryu.

If you are looking to learn the style through a book, I'd recommend Al Moulton's book. (which can also be ordered on the Uechi store.)

Video is a much better way to actually learn the kata.

Good luck and let me know how you are doing.

Best, George Mattson

Dear Master Mattson,

I respectfully ask: Could you possibly recommend a Sensei in the West Los Angeles area?

I am now living near Santa Monica, CA. My father was a student in Okinawa in 1963, while he was serving in the U.S. Air Force. The only thing that he did during his off-duty hours was to constantly practice his Katas and skills... and it changed his life. During my years growing up, he often shared many dramatic demonstrations with me of his Black Belt Level Uechi-Ryu. I was always highly impressed.

Since then, I have always desired instruction in the style of Karate he demonstrated, with its powerful vertical punches, stability and control. I began to realize this style of Karate was very unique because I was not seeing its methods present in any Karate anywhere. And I strongly desired those specific methods.

Until recently, I always thought this Karate was probably of a type widely practiced. I never really asked my father any specific information about it. Now that I am aware of Uechi-Ryu, I very much wish to discipline myself in it, under the instruction of a local Sensei.

Thank you so much for taking the time to read this. I would feel extremely honored to receive a response from you.

Best Regards, 
Craig Erlick 

Hope you are now hooked up with a teacher. Good luck and stay in touch. GEM

Lloyd Lewis wrote:


All, 

just an email to let everyone know that we have finished our first block of get togethers. Thanks to all the people who provided assistance via the Uechi newsgroup, Sensai Mattson for putting me in touch with Sensai Dave Mott in Toronto (unfortunately I don't have an email address for Dave) and to Sensai Brian Bailey for the tip that helped me find a former classmate from Nova Scotia who had relocated to Ottawa. It took almost 18 months to bring to fruition. Through many of these people I now have a collection of excellent related websites/contacts.

I'd like to thank everyone for their participation. I believe we can say we came a long way from nowhere. We had a total of 6 sessions, found a total of 3 Uechi students and ultimately Sensai James Walker (who also has a number of students). Unbelievable! I was hoping to have one more get together next week, but I won't be able to make it. 

I was able to book the Nortel multipurpose room again through to end of September. I know we were talking about a Thursday night class time, but Thursday turns out to be is a bad night for me. So, I've booked the room for Tuesday nights starting 16 July (following the hint James made about his group getting together on Tuesday/Thursday nights). 

I hope to see you all some time through the summer. I hope that James will be able to attend and bring a few more people with him. Here's hoping we continue to spread the Uechi spirit in the local area. There's got to be more people like us lurking in this huge city.

Thanks again... 

Cheers, 
Lloyd Lewis 

Mr. Mattson,

Can you provide me with any information about locations of instructors in the Chicago/Northern Indiana areas?

Is there a state-by-state directory on your website?

Thanks.

Frank Taber Valparaiso, Indiana

Check with David Kahn, who teaches in Chicago for class information. We have a website listing all known Uechi teachers in the world. Go to the home page and click on the drop-down menu and select "teachers". GEM

Subject: Survey
Mr. Mattson,

I would like to ask a question on the survey "Should Pilots be allowed to carry firearms?". Are the guns using lead bullets or beanbags. That would make a big difference. Also, I am not for sure if the gun that uses beanbag's for bullet's can be used with the lead bullets. The shells can be half load or what level of load of gun powder that would make it effective in a short range on the plain. If you can not use lead bullets with the gun and they can change the level of the power that the gun; I would be in favor of pilots being allowed to carry guns.

Thank you for your time.

Sincerely 
Charles Roberts

The question was very general in nature, mostly trying to find out how people felt on the concept. Details would have to be worked out, should the government ever approve of such a plan. I'm familiar with a "glaser" shell, which is very powerful, yet is safe to use indoors. I'm sure the "experts" would be able to determine the best weapon to use.

Best, 
George

Subject: Carlos Ciriza

Sensei: When you have a spare moment could you explain to me weather Carlos is giving a seminar in a specific location or is he making himself available to give seminars at individual Dojos. I clicked on the icon on the web page but could not understand what it meant. thank you, 
Stephen Perry

Hi Steve:

Carlos is available to give seminars at individual dojo or for groups of dojo. He should be in the Boston area sometime this month. (arrived June 29th)

Best, George 

Subject: shoushan stone

I have a small old carving of 2 monkeys which I think is shoushan stone, looks like caramel colour with a soft shine, I want to know if water can damage this as it is worn as a pendant & sometimes is in the shower or sea when I swim etc, & please tell me how I can know which stone it could be if it is not shoushan?, it does not look or feel like soapstone, I bought it in a respectable antique shop at a fair price but the dealer says he does not know his stones as he deals mostly in Asian art & ceramics, I would appreciate an answer to these questions please, with thanks from K Vard.

There are many types of Shoushan stone, from very fine quality to low grade. Shoushan is a region in China with a mountain where this stone can be found. (According to my sources)

I really don't know the long term affect wearing your stone in the shower, but don't think the practice is good for the stone.

Good quality shoushan stone is very rare and valuable. Probably a good idea to at least remove it while showering.

Best, George Mattson 

Hello Sir, We have a 9th kyu student moving to the Minneapolis area. Do you know of any Okinawan dojo there he would be welcomed at?

Thank you in advance.

Shihan Dean Chapman 
Texas Okinawan Goju-kai 
Okinawan Buto-ryu Gohokan

Hopefully someone will reply. GEM

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