June, 2003 Mailbag

Looking For a Good Uechi-ryu dojo?

Dear Mattson Sensei, 

I have recently returned from a stay in Okinawa where I was fortunate enough to be invited to grade for my Godan which I subsequently passed. Due in part to one of my senior students having been there several weeks earlier and my experience in teaching I was also awarded my Shihan. I have been operating clubs in England for over fifteen years and I would like to be included in your club listing. My certificate is registered with the Okikukai, Shohei Ryu and the number is 367. My Shihan certificate is number 199. My instructor is Takara Sensei. I operate my clubs in South East London and North Kent three nights per week and would welcome new committed members or world travelers with a need for a "fix" before they move on. 

Anyone wishing to contact me regarding training can get me on +44(0)7860 619225 (cell phone ) or +44(0)1622 715597 (landline) or on sensei.harris@virgin.net Your site information was passed on to me by my very good friend George Chaplin who I believe you know. He currently resides in San Francisco and was in Okinawa with me also taking his Fifth Dan. I hope all the above is sufficient to be included in your register but should there be any questions please do not hesitate to contact me. 
Yours in karate do, 
David Harris.

Hello Sensei Mattson,

I'm a frequent visitor of your website. Do you know of any Uechi-ryu training facilities in the Chicago area? I have not been able to find any. Do you, yourself, have a self-study training program? Your videos are great. While not as beneficial as training with you personally, I believe home-training could still be beneficial.

Yours Truly,

Judah Doreson

Look up David Kahn. GEM

Sensei Mattson,

Hello. My name is David Schidlow. I had the pleasure of studying karate with you while I was a student at Brandeis University between 1995 and 1999. I was a student of Steve DiOrio and Vinny Christiano. I currently live in Philadelphia and study karate with sensei Earnest Sumpter. 

I am writing because I am spending the summer in Santiago, Chile, and was hoping to find someone with whom I could train. On the website, I found the name Ramon Suazo, but I have not had luck reaching him via e-mail. Do you have any additional contact information for him and/or the names of additional Uechi instructors in Santiago, Chile? Please let me know.

Thank you. I hope you are well

Sincerely, David Schidlow

Mattson Sensei,

What an honor it is to be writing to you. I will be in Boston next week and have been looking for a dojo in the area where I might be able to drop in and take a class (I am a rokkyu-kyu). I have not had much success negotiating the Internet to find something in the area. Perhaps you can give me some advice?

With my highest regards,

Johannah

Please call Ed Huff. GEM

Dear Mr. Mattson, I am writing to inquire about Uechi Schools in the Providence, RI area and the Sommerville/Cambridge area. I appreciate any help or guidance you may be able to provide.

Respectfully, Jonathan J. Rodriguez-Aragones 

Call Raf Derderian in R.I. and check the instructor listing for dojo in the Cambridge area. GEM

Another Happy Customer! :)

Thank you for your attention to detail and patience. I noticed that Uechi "lapel pins" are advertised online. If they are the type that have the screw on back piece and can be affixed to belt, I would like to order four of them. If I have to re-order via the standard means please let me know. If these pins have the clutch back fasteners, I am not interested in those.

On another note, I had an opportunity to stop up in Cheshire and workout with Sensei Bruce Witherall and his class. I had an opportunity to spend a considerable amount of class time with Sensei Witherall and we had a tremendous workout. I look forward to being able to visit his dojo again in the near future, and hopefully, once a week as he has a young and vibrant student base who are eager to learn. At age 54, it is inspiring to be around these young uechi people and it pushes me to work a little bit harder to try and stay up. At any rate, as always, I found Sensei Witherall to be cordial, well versed in the arts, and most willing to share his knowledge and experience. Always nice to train with such good people.

Thanks again for everything.

Very truly yours,

Mike 

See you at Camp next month!

Sensei,

Hope all is well. I continue to plan to be at camp this summer barring any last minute surprises from the Army. My Officer Basic Course is going well, although the fact that I don't have a computer here limits my communication more than I would have imagined (As I sit here in the library for my allocated one hour slot, I'm thinking it may be time to buy a laptop).

At camp, I would be happy to teach a class or two on Kyu/Dan Kumite, stressing the possibilities in these drills for skill development (as opposed to learning to look like a 'Uechi robot'). Please only 'plug me in' if you need to - I'm perfectly happy to wander from group to group training rather than teaching. If you do put me on the schedule, please try not to schedule me opposite Wes Tasker, who as far as I know is still planning to attend.

All my love to you and Susan, 
Greg Postal

George:

I am looking forward to seeing you again at camp this year. I am bringing a couple of students with me, and I understand will be represented. I am told Dave Sergeant, Steve Goss and Mehran Shakar are all planning on being at camp as well. So, I just want to assure you we are not being sent by the state government to solicit contributions to help balance our $38 billion state budget deficit, but if anyone would like to kick in, I will be happy to provide the address for our state treasurer. Also, it is not necessary to change the menu...we can get along without avocados for at least a few days. We may, however, need to bring some wine. You should ask Mehran to lead a stretching session, provided you still have the massage therapists available. 

Hope you are doing well and not going crazy preparing for camp. See you soon.

Peace 
Robb in Sacramento 

Hi George:

How are things going, I heard that the Tournament went really well. One of my female students took first place in womens black belt forms. It was her first tournament, she had been working real hard for years and finally mustered up the courage to enter. I hope it won't be her last tournament. 

The Kumite that I would like to teach at your Summer Fest is Yakosuko Kumite. The Kumite consists of all the Uechi fundamentals and advanced techniques. Blocking and distancing stances are emphasized along with chambering and flow of technique. Jack and I just finished a 3 day camp and seminar on Florida's west coast where we taught Yakosuko Kumite amongst other things. Jack and I are looking forward to Summer Fest. If you have the time and space I would like to teach a morning and afternoon class on Friday and Saturday. Also, I have been asked by some of the expected attendees if it would be possible for me to teach a class on San Sei Ryu Bunkai. This Bunkai is also something that I teach and practice with my Florida associates. If you don't think there is enough time for this maybe it would be possible for me to take the half dozen or so that have asked and do it during lunch time or break time. Thanks for your consideration.

I spoke with Jay this week and advised that I have about 7+ mid range black belts that are eager to practice refereeing and to become certified. Jay has forwarded the necessary info to me and we will be starting training this week.

I will be forwarding my registration form this week, look forward to seeing you and all at Summer Fest. Take care.

Jon Cierri

HI George:

While talking to Jon Cierri last night , he told me he was going to teach the Okikukai kumite at the summer camp. He also said he needed to write up a guideline for it. I have emailed Jon the written version I wrote up a number of years ago, when I first saw it and herd about it. I am also sending you a copy of it for your records, just in case you may want it for something.

Take care - jay 

(How about letting the camp participants work on the drill before camp?? GEM)

Informational Fact Sheet - Okikukai / Yakosuko Kumite

Note: This version of Okikukai / Yakosuko Kumite was shown. taught, and verbally transposed to Jay Salhanick from Master Instructor Shigeru Takamiyagi, in 1995, in Southboro, Massachusetts, while attending Master Instructor Walter Mattson's Okinawan seminar series.

Before beginning Kumite training, blocking & distancing stances must be considered. All punches should be straight through the target area. All wauke blocks are preceded by the palm heal block, (Shotei Uke). Deflect the punch beyond the body area with the palm heal block, then whip the controlling wauke block and grab the arm for full control, in all instances.

***************************************************************************** 1. Attack: Start in a left Sanchin stance, step right & punch right.

Defense: Start in a left Sanchin stance, step back into a right Sanchin stance, and perform a right wauke block, then a right front kick. ******************************************************************************

2. Attack: Start in a left Sanchin stance, Step into a right Sanchin stance, and punch right. Then step into a left Sanchin and punch left.

Defense: Start in a left Sanchin stance, step back into a right Sanchin stance, and perform a right wauke block. Then step back into a left Sanchin stance, and perform a left wauke block, then a punch to the rib cage. ******************************************************************************

3. Attack: Start in a right Sanchin stance, step into a left Sanchin and punch left. Next, step into a right Sanchin stance and punch right.

Defense: Start in a left Sanchin stance, then step into a right Sanchin stance, and perform a right palm heal block. Next, slide back, perform a right wauke block, and punch with the right hand. Next, counter with a right front snap kick. ******************************************************************************

4. Attack: Start in a left Sanchin stance, Step into a right Sanchin stance & punch right. Then, step into a left Sanchin stance & punch left, and then left forward sidekick.

Defense: Start in a left Sanchin stance, step back into a right Sanchin stance and perform a right wauke. Then, back into a left Sanchin, and do a left wauke. Next, block kick with a left sweeping down block, then slide in and grab left arm of opponent and do a right punch to the head.

******************************************************************************

5. Attack: Start in a right stance, step in and punch left, kick with a right reverse front kick, and right punch after the kick.

Defense: Start in a left stance, step back and block with an inside right wauke. Step back into a left Sanchin stance, do a left down block on the front kick. Left wauke block, right reverse punch to the mid section. *********************************************************************************


6. Attack: Start in a left stance, throw a right reverse crescent kick, land forward in a right stance, punch right, throw a left crescent kick, land in a left Sanchin stance punch left.

Defense: Start in a left stance, slide back and do a left palm block, slide back right palm heal block down, right crescent kick, land forward in a right stance, right punch to the head. ******************************************************************************

7. Attack: Start in a left stance, step in and punch right, then step in and punch left, block with an X cross block to the left, then do a left wauke block, then punch right.

Defense: Start in a left stance, slide back and do a left palm heal block, slide back and do a right palm heal block down, now thro a right kick, and land forward in a right leaning stance, now thro a right high punch, now do a left block from this right stance and throw a right front kick. *****************************************************************************

8. Attack: Start in a left stance, step and punch right, do an upper shuto block with your left arm, throw a right crescent kick, block left punch.

Defense: Start in a left stance, slide back and block inside left wauke, step in shuto strike to head with right arm, do a crescent kick X block to the left, now do a wauke block right, bushkin strike to the face with the left. *****************************************************************************

9. Attack: Start in a right stance, throw a left front kick land forward, throw a right crescent kick, block left inside, left wauke block step back, throw a right reverse front kick.

Defense: Start in a left stance, step back into a right stance, block down right, block across with crescent kick X block to the left, throw a right crescent kick punch high right. *****************************************************************************

10. Attack: Start in a left stance, throw a low crescent kick with right, land forward, throw a low crescent kick with the left, step in and punch right from s right stance.

Defense: Start in a left stance, left leg block, put down in back, leg block with right from right stance, left wauke block inside, step in deep, elbow strike, back fist, sweep takedown, control opponent punch right to the chest/rib area.


End of Kumite 

Dear Sensei

. . .

I am considering to bring my own private bunk bed trainer to give me on the spot tips how to get in, out, on 7 off those tricky Academy bunk beds..... the killer is the slippery plastic sheets

In all seriousness, you may want to check your insurance cover regarding injuries from falling in the rooms..... I can tell you without doubt that my fall was so sevre & impact so hard that a lesser big guy than myself could have had a fatal injury. (The bunk beds have railings on them now! GEM)

You may want to have a slip of paper about dorm / building / locations of places things are happening.... sort of like a map and on that paper, mention the slippery mattress caution

. . . 

On a happier note...... the night time party at the Cafeteria is a great venue and last year I thought Calvin's demo was super.....  if people would like to put on breaking demo's.... I have not seen one in years, Rick and his son never have never seen any

Just a thought...... 

A good party needs entertainment and who knows what hidden talents our Campers may have...... the form of entertainment could be serious or humorous, what ever !!

Love to you & Susan

Bob Campbell

How's everything? Are you ready for the camp this summer. I will be up for the summer. I will be able to do the camp.

How's the video going? I am about ready to work on another. 

I will update my profile later. Maybe I will send a new pic as well. Talk to you soon.

Pedro Bennett

The video and DVD is now being offered in the Store Pedro. Great instruction that hopefully will catch on soon. Looking forward to seeing you at camp. . . where you will be able to sell your videos and DVDs. GEM

Dear Mattson Sensei,

We have just enjoyed another of our annual Edmonton visits with David Mott. Is there anyone like him in the Uechi Ryu world? Is there anyone as accomplished, anyone with comparable integrity, dedication and talent? Is there anyone who has plumbed as broadly or as deeply? Is there anyone who has made a more significant contribution to what can be available to students of Uechi Ryu?

I hope David will be honored and recognized by promotion before the inevitable progress of arthritis makes it impossible for him to demonstrate his contributions.

David has given me permission to give you the article I have attached, which he wrote for us some years ago, to be included with the other articles on your website.


Respectfully yours,

Ken Read 

David is truly one of Uechi-ryu's Living Treasures. I've posted his great article in our "Articles" section. GEM

News From Germany!

Dear Sensei!

Hello from Regegensburg, I want to say thank you again for the great camp in May. I learned a lot with my eyes. I want to tell you, that my operation is well done on my ellbow,so I can start training in September. I hope, you have a good time and a great summercamp and I hope, that I can come next year to the camp.

Greetings to Susan and Tia

Take care

Benita

News From India:

DEAR SENSEI. ARVIND KOTNALA

THANK YOU VERY MUCH YOUR MESSAGE DELIGHTED ME FIRST OF ALL IT IS OUR ORGANIZATION NOT AT ALL MINE WE ARE ALL INDEPENDENT INSTRUCTORS WORKING TOGETHER TO EXCHANGE KNOWLEDGE EACH OTHER PLEASE COME TO THE FINAL CONCLUSION TO JION IN UECHI RYU - IUKF AS EARLY AS POSSIBLE, IN JANUARY 2004 SECOND WEEK HANSHI.GEORGE E. MATTSON, 9THDAN AND SENSEI. BOB ROBERT CAMPBELL, 8TH DAN FROM HONG KONG WILL BE VISITING CHENNAI FOR THREE DAYS ARE YOU INTEND TO VISIT CHENNAI . ARE YOU SURE THAT YOU ARE CONVENIENT WITH MY EXTENDED PROPOSAL??? YOU HAVE NOT PROVIDED INFORMATION THE FOLLOWING SUBJECT WHICH I HAVE TO SEND IUKF - U.S.A.

1, PLEASE SEND YOUR COPY OF THE CERTIFICATE LAST GRADED 2, YOU ARE REALLY INTERESTED IN UECHI RYU AND RYUKYU KOBUDO 3, YOU CAN TAKE IN CHARGE ALL THE AREA WHERE I DO NOT HAVE UECHI RYU DOJOS KINDLY INFORM NAME OF THE STATE WHERE YOU ARE HOLDING DOJOS 4 PLEASE SEND APPLICATION AND BIO DATA

YOURS IN THE BETTERMENT OF LIFE THROUGH UECHI RYU KARATE & FRIENDSHIP 

WITH REGARDS 
M.SRINIVASULU

More News from California:

Hi George:

Here's a great website to check out: www.wonder-okinawa.jp

Jerry McDonald 

Request for Calligraphy. . .

Hi Mr. Mattson,

I was wondering if you knew of any sites, including any specific page of yours, where I could find a good Uechi-ryu calligraphy. I have looked at a few and they all seem to be a little different. I'm interested in finding a good image with the most accurate possible Japanese characters.

Thanks in advance for your help.

Joel Student of Uechi Ryu

Hi Joel:

I'll attached a gif file of the calligraphy Tomoyose sensei created of "uechi-ryu". Best that I'm aware of.

Hope it helps.

Best, George Mattson 

How about a Study Guide?

Dear Mr. Mattson, I live in South Hadley Ma. and I do Uechi-Ryu karate in Chicopee Ma. I am very committed to succeeding and I am on my third green stripe, and testing for Rokyu soon... What I would live to know is if I could get some kind of study sheet for the Kata's in the future, and training and stretching that I could do at home..

A curious Student,
 -Joe

Try my Black Belt Test Guide! Lists all the kata necessary for ratings up to black belt. GEM

Bad guy on E-Bay!

Subject: Your copyrighted material


Mr. Mattson, As I reported to you on the phone, the hardbox.net internet sellers are offering an uechi-ryu "training cd" containing your videos. I've created and attached a directory of the files on the CD for comparison to your website.

Not all of the videos are from your site. Some of the videos have the names such as "space coast","Anthony Licalzi", and "Eastern Arts and Humanities Center, Inc."

Please feel free to contact me if I can assist you in stopping this unethical and illegal practice. My contact information is below. 
Thanks, 
Ron

Hmmmmm. This person is selling CDs of video clips he pulled off our video site! GEM

Upcoming Events!

Great time was had by all in Connecticut, playing golf with the Shinjo Brothers.

Sensei Mattson,

Thank you for coming down to CT on Sunday and playing golf with us. It was a pleasure seeing you again and to meet John, and I will try and make it to your camp this year. Here are some pictures of that outing (you said you may want to post them on your web site).

John Griffin,

Thank you for arranging the outing.... I look forward to playing a round with you again sometime soon when I'm not so sore.

Rik,

I don't know if you want to send Sensei Mattson any other pictures from the Koshukai 2003. Good to see you again.

Syd,

Not bad for not playing in 25 years. It was great seeing Rob again. And congratulations to him for making Sandan on May 31 in Okinawa and acting as translator at the event.

PS. I am Mark Kirk - tested for Sandan - Sensei Spencer's dojo in Willimantic Ct. John Griffin - 5th degree, I believe - from Hartford dojo. Syd and Rob Schulman (sorry, Syd, don't know your rank). 
 ======================================

Hi,

It was good seeing you again too and meeting your friend Darrin. He was a fun guy. I enjoyed playing with both of you and it was nice that the weather held up.

Thanks also for the beer and food. 

If you make it to Okinawa this year and have some free time, look me up and we'll grab a beer together. My cell phone number is . . . .

Regards,

Rob Schulman 

Uechi Black Belt Heads for Unknown Adventures. . .

Hello George.

I spent the latter part of the weak at Great Lakes and brought back some pictures. Chris looks good, no?

He won't be coming home yet. Chong and I spent one hour with him after graduation from the Naval Training Center and he then had to report to get ready to go to his duty station. He already knows he will be shipped overseas or will have an assignment on a ship when he gets out of boot camp so he won't be home for Thanksgiving Christmas either.

Well, George, I guess he's gone.

Allen Moulton

I know he will make you proud of him Al.  GEM

To: GMattson@uechi-ryu.com Subject: Long term effects of repetitive bruising.


Hello George, 

I am a student of Meibukan GojuRyu Karate-Do - I received my brown belt last fall and am currently working towards my black belt. During my training, I am of course collecting a number of bruises, mainly on my forearms. I don't see this as startling or alarming, but a number of my friends and family have expressed concern over the long term effects of repeated bruising.

I decided to do some research on the Internet so that I can set their minds at ease. There doesn't seem to be much that has been written on this subject that I can find with a quick search, but I did come across George Chaplin's article on body conditioning. It all seemed very sensible (and familiar) to me - but one area that did raise some concern is the section on bone bruises. I have a rather slight build and although I am lifting weights to gain some muscle mass, I still don't have much "meat on my bones". I'm curious as to how can I tell if it is just the surface tissues that are being bruised or if the bone itself is being affected. Do you have any thoughts on the subject? I would like to share the article with my Sensei and discuss my concerns and possible solutions with him. Any additional thoughts, information, etc. that you have would be very helpful.

Thank you very much for your time. 

Regards, 
. . . . .
Hi::

Your concerns are valid. Bruises are something we all experience from time to time. As a brown belt, I don't think you should be experiencing the kind of injuries you report. If you don't mind, I'd like to discuss this subject on one of our forums. Bill Glasheen has quite a bit of useful information that I'm sure he will share with you and the subject is something that probably concerns many other students. 

If you haven't been there, our forums can be accessed from http://uechi-ryu.com. Please drop in and post your letter on Bill's forum. You don't have to use your real name in order to register and post. 

Best,

George Mattson

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