Dear Mr. Mattson --

I am a former Uechi student of David Mott's and have recently moved back to west coast. Do you know any Uechi teachers in the Vancouver BC region. I tried contacting Michael Dunphy or Chris Delorey but the phone numbers listed on your website for them are no longer in service. 

Do you happen to have a current contact number for either of them?

Thanks you for help.

Sincerely,

Michael Doucette

I live in Sarasota, Florida and want to study Uechi-ryu. Is Uechi-ryu taught anywhere near here?

Thank You Chris Luty

Sir, I am a past student of uechi-ryu, and now i have two sons who have expressed an interest in martial arts. I was hoping that you may be able to tell me of any dojo's in the blackstone ma. area. I would appreciate your help in this matter

thank you 

I'm not even sure where the "Blackstone" area is. However, I'll put you in touch with anyone who e-mails me. GEM

Subject: Locations for Uechi Ryu 

Dear Sensei Mattson, A few years ago my daughter and I studied at Mike Rozumek's Karate Center in Pepperell, MA. Our family moved to Pinehurst, NC in June 2001. I was able to locate on your website a directory of instructors and locations. I have tried to contact Darrel Paul Chagnon, the instructor for listed for Pinehurst, NC . The phone number has been disconnected. I was wondering if there was another phone number for him, or in the event that he moved from this area, was there another instructor in our area of south central NC? 

Thank you. 

Sincerely, Susan Davis

I'll do some checking Susan. I wasn't aware that Darrel had moved or stopped teaching. GEM

My name is Michel Fleury
Hull, Quebec
Canada
J8X 2N6

I would like to know where in my area can I learn Uechi-ryu ???

If there no dojo in my area are there seminars held in the Hull, Quebec & Ottawa, Ontario areas
Michel 

I trained with uechi-ryu in High School and College and I am not looking for a dojo for my son age 15. We live in a Northern Atlanta suburb...East Cobb. Are there any schools close??

Jim Walker

You are in luck. I've sent your email to Bruce H. and you should have been in touch by now. GEM

Sir,

I used to train under Sensei Mark Flynn in Guilderland NY and moved west about three years ago. I haven't been very successful at finding a "classical" dojo here, and I was wondering if you might know of one or more.

I thought there was a Uechiryu dojo in Orange County, but I am pretty far from there.

Thank you in advance...

Michael Elia AIA

Hi Greg,

ITs Jeff Kuehl. I was in merced and came back to be a "flat lander" as you remember.

I have a question for you. I have been looking for a UECHI RYU school here and can't find one to save my life.

Do you know of any that are here? I know that you were from Deluth MN, and not IL, But do you know of anyone around PEORIA IL?

Let me know, Thanks Greg!

Oh btw, The new symbol looks good, and glad to see that your Dojo is going well.

I do miss training in Merced, But things are better for me out here.

Keep in touch, Jeff 

HI George do you know of any schools around PEORIA IL?
Greg Brown 

Mr. Mattson:

I would greatly appreciate any information you can provide about locations of dojos in the Denver, or more specifically, Boulder, area. My son had the opportunity to study with Alan Azoff in Lexington, MA, for part of last year. We would love to be able to continue studing Uechi-ryu karate here in Boulder.

We would also love to have the opportunity to visit a dojo in Okinawa. We have plans to visit family in Okinawa in June of this year, and it would be great to be able to see and experience a dojo there in Okinawa. Would you be able to direct us on where to find information?

Many thanks,

Mary Munsinger

Hi Mary:

I don't think we have any Uechi dojo in the Denver area. However, you might post a notice in our "looking for dojo/instructor Forum" . Sometimes there are people in an area who work out at Health Clubs or small facilities and don't advertise. I'll post your letter in the February Mailbag. (I delete email address and last name)

I'm forwarding your letter to Gordi Breyette, a friend on Okinawa who can probably give you some good advice regarding your trip to Okinawa and the protocol for visiting dojo. 

I agree that the trip will be an exciting experience. Please stay in touch. Let me know if you have any success in locating a dojo and how your trip goes. GEM

Hey George,

My name is Carl Ferris and we met a couple of times back when I was at the Pittsfield School with Frank Gorman this had to be around 1976 or 77. The Okinawans were over I had the pleasure of keeping an eye on Mr Yanamini. Anyway fast forward I moved to Maine and Gorman went to Florida. What have you heard from him?

Best Regards,

Carl 

Frank is doing fine in Florida. I've forwarded your letter to him. GEM

Mass Challenge Mail

To All: I second Jays comments. Thank you very much for your support. 

The small tokens of appreciation that I gave you before the event in no way can compensate for the tremendously hard work and dedication that you all have shown in the clinics and at the Mass Challenge. I hope your experience was as pleasurable and enjoyable as was mine. Almost every judge was attired in the appropriate gear and all were very proffesional in their manners and actions. I think we are developing into a "cream of the crop bunch" and setting a precedent that our successors will have to work very hard at trying to match. 

Thanks to the fine efforts of our brilliant coordination team the event was run smoothly as a swiss watch. Thank you Jay, Allan and Steve. You were great. As always there were a few glitches. Just like developing a good kata, this process is learning from our mistakes and never making them again. In the upcoming months before the Uechi-ryu World Championship we still will have to meet to iron out some of these issues. 

There are some serious competitions heating up especially in the 8-9 year old Girls Intermediate Point Fighting. Other divisions had some suprising competitors come out of nowhere to take first place. There is one more event in the first series and I think that it will top the previous two. 

I am proud to be a part of this series and I think that we can make a great future for this next Uechi-ryu generation of awesome kids. 

To all Sensei's who had students compete today, please tell your students that they were great. They really deserved each and every award that was won today! Thanks Again Len Testa 

George,

I got a message from some students that photos are posted on your web site. Thank you for posting more than just the group photo. The kids are thrilled.

Thanks again, Steve B.

Hello All:

I wanted to personally tell you all what a GREAT job of officiating you all did today at the tournament. The hard work and training you all have been working on, came through today with shinning colors.

NOT ONE !!!!!! complaint about judging or scoring did I hear today. Not one....

I had a few questions on the rules. and some of the rule questions were justified. I will be addressing those rule questions very soon. Again,, all you people did a great job.... This kids series has really taken off, and its bring Uechi people all together. Something that has not happened in a long time...

Its time we put the ghosts of the past to rest, and make a real Uechi future for the kids....

You people are the best.........

Take care - Jay Salhanick

Spring N.E. Dantest Inquiries

Sensei Mattson, I was wondering if you had a date and location for the next Dan test. I am one of Sensei Huff’s students.

Robert Swan 

The New England Dantest will be conducted on Sunday, June 1st. We haven't decided on a site yet, but will publish the information as soon as possible. GEM

Looking forward to the trip

Hi George, 

Long time no see, but that should be remedied soon. We are all looking forward to your visit, and that includes Lee (who is a big fan of yours). My daughters have heard a few stories, and are sufficiently curious. They have been known to sneak a look at our Saturday morning workouts held here. You are invited to be our guest, and we hope to keep you in the style to which you've become accustomed (or would like to become accustomed). This should include some home cooking, as well as visits to local hang-outs known for good food, even if not for fancy decor. 

There are some nice places for walks, such as Torrey Pines Park and the nearby beach. It's been chilly today (with rain expected tonight) and the temperature has dipped as low as 61 degrees today. But I think you'll find it pleasant enough. And we can even fit in a few workouts....Greg promises to wear a gi. I'll see you at the airport on March 5th. Best regards, Paul Haydu

Bruce Hirabayashi Subject: Uechi-ryu friendship

Dear Sensei Hirabayashi,

congratulation to your Regensburg dojo ! They have the `Uechi -Ryu `spirit with strong technics ! We only trained 2 times together, but we all have the feeling to meet some old friends ! In april we plan to make a pre-test together. Also i will come in may to Pettendorf to meet you and your Senseis.I will come on the weekend with some students. If it is possible I would come earlier !

Sincerely

Shihan Andreas Haberzettl 

Dear Andreas (I hope you don't mind that I use your first name):

Thank you for your kind and thoughtful note. I very much appreciate and thank you for your efforts to help promote cooperation and friendship between Uechi-ryu dojos in Germany and Europe. My German students have let me know several times that they are very happy to have the chance to train with you and your students. 

I strongly believe visits to other dojos are essential to help students improve their technique. Such visits also help keep the training at the "home dojo" from becoming "stale". I find my students (whether here or in Germany) almost always return from such visits highly energized, excited and ready to train hard again. Perhaps even more important, the Senseis learn from each other as well, and gain many new ideas (or are reminded about techniques they had learned years before) at such workouts. Almost all of my jumps in Uechi-ryu understanding in the past 15 years have come from visits to seminars and other dojos. For example, my major last break-through came only two years ago after watching Dana Sheets and Heather Lipin (two excellent Nidans from Washington DC), demonstrate Master Nakamatsu's ideas about delivering power while striking. (To tell the whole story, their Sensei (and my good friend) Bob Kaiser, had tried to show me the same techniques 2-3 years earlier, but I was not at that point ready to understand).

By working together, we learn from each other, and when we learn from each other, we all improve.

I am very happy that you and your students will have the time to train with us when George Mattson, Bill Glasheen, Sal Aljaber (Yondan, Jujitsu) and I come to Germany for the "10 Years of Uechi-ryu Karate-do in Regensburg" celebration in May.

Note: Your English is quite good and probably better than my German! However, if you feel it would be easier, please feel free to write to me in German. Almost all of my German colleagues write to me in German, then I respond in English. This way we both learn something by reading a foreign language, but are then able to respond quickly since we write back in our own language.

Andreas, I wish you good health, good training and the best of luck with your dojo.

Gruss / Servus,

Bruce Rokudan Uechi-ryu Atlanta

Anyone know him?

Hello,

If you're receiving this, then you've previously received our THE HUNTED outreach. I am writing because I need to turn a list of Tom Brown interview requests into Paramount tomorrow, and I want to make sure that no one who's interested misses out on this unique opportunity.

Tom Brown is a world-famous survivalist, a best-selling author and the basis of the Special Forces Instructor played by Tommy Lee Jones in THE HUNTED, coming to theaters nationwide on March 14th. Brown assisted with the screenplay and served as a consultant on the film, rarely leaving director William Friedkin's side. He is a master of survival, hunting and tracking, and willing to do interviews to promote THE HUNTED. If you would like to interview Mr. Brown for your site, please email me before 11 am EST tomorrow, 2/25. 

Brown is an excellent interview subject and I urge you not to pass up this opportunity.

If you're interested, drop me an email with your name, email address, site name and the number of unique visitors your site receives per month (for our records). I will pass the requests along to Paramount tomorrow and I expect most if not all to be accepted.

I look forward to speaking with you. 

Sincerely, Alex Dubin

P.S. If you're receiving this, but thought you were already signed up for an interview, drop me an email anyway, just so I can confirm. 

Looks like a good idea!

Hi George:

 I was researching Karate and Wellness and your site came up under both descriptions. I was looking for a person or organization that would be interested in handling the Wellness part and the Karate, would you take a look at my Project.

I would like to introduce you to our extraordinary new project The Magic Sports Complex in Hamilton Township, New Jersey. We expect to enhance the lives of thousands of children and young adults through sports application and training. 

We are searching for partners through individuals, groups and organizations who may be interested in contributing or expanding our services. Please look over the business model as our highlights deal with development of a profitable sports training complex by maximizing potential partnerships and sponsors. Please share our model with potential partners as we continue to pursue our dream of The Magic Sports Complex. To learn more information please contact Ron Nametko Founder & CEO @ 732-818-0271 or 732-814-2325.

SummerFest News! [Plan to be with us, 2nd weekend in August . . . 8 - 10th, 2003]

 George:

I wanted to say thank you for the warm greeting I received at your Winter Festival this year in WPB. It is always nice to get a chance to work with Roy. He is one of the best law enforcement trainers I have met. It is always great to meet and get to work with a group of professionals outside of my field like the ones I met last week. It was both rewarding and an honor. Thank you.

I have looked at my schedule and will be able to attend this years seminar. I just need the particulars like location and times. I would like to work in a few realistic drills to build onto what we did in WPB, and address the subject in the forum on what to do if they are on top of you. 

I also want to talk with you more on adding this ground section to your system. I believe it not only compliments your system but also enhances the environment a warrior would find himself or herself in. Please let me know what you think of this.

I will look forward to talking with you again.

Dave Young Training & Standards Manager RedMan Training Division 

Hi Dave:

Fantastic! 

What great news. By all means, lets try to incorporate your ground section to our basic program. SummerFest will be a perfect time to introduce the program.

I'm working on updating the SummerFest website and will send you the URL when the update is completed. Meanwhile, Roy and I will continue promoting your program on the internet, creating interest in both your methods and the link with IUKF. (Our organization)

I'm still trying to catch up on things, but will get back to you soon with some ideas that we might be able to work on together.... book, video, seminar series for martial artist. 

I am most honored that you would like to work with our group and forever in your debt for helping out at WinterFest.

Looking forward to seeing you again soon.

Best, George 

Hello from sunny South Florida,

I know, that was uncalled for. Myself and George will be glad to participate in the upcoming camp. we are meeting with Manny this Saturday. We plan on committing to teaching at least 2 classes each depending on the schedule. I plan on having my classes involve the Bunkai and Yakusoku. the classes will focus on fluency and natural movement and getting away from the stiff memory circuit type movements. George is going to present Okinawa Kobudo. We are looking at working with the Tinaka an obscure Okinawan hand weapon as well as the more traditional weapons.

Info: Rick Potrekus, 7th Dan Uechi Ryu, current instructor Shinyu Gushi

George Schriefer, 5th Dan Uechi Ryu, 5th Dan Ryu Ko Kaku Kobudo, instructor Shinyu Gushi


We will try contact you on Sat. While Manny is at the Dojo.

Rick 

Thanks for all your help and support Rick. I was also very pleased to hear that you and your students plan on being with us for SummerFest this August. GEM

Hi George;

I am trying to plan my week in the cape this august, but I want to attend the summer retreat as well. Are the dates set for that yet? I didn't see anything in the website.

Thanks

Dean S.

PS Thanks for your efforts last summer in helping my wife Liz find a beautiful uechi ring!

Training VS Reality Questions

Ciao Sensei,

I checked out some forums recently and a recurring topic is the application (or lack) of martial arts in real flight or fight situations. I tend to believe we each return to the dojo for one or two reasons: developing skills to back up a more or less instinctively fearless mindset being one. One night while using (fearless) strategy to lose a guy who was following me home, I realized I really didn't know how to kick someone's bum if I had to. Identifying this weakness drew me to martial arts initially so now the question follows of what do I want from this. After some thought, realized I've been assuming that good instruction and diligent efforts will eventually teach me to overcome almost anyone in a confrontation - planned or otherwise. 

If true, it seems like the concept behind push hands exercise is especially important for someone my size to learn well. This afternoon I posted a request on the women's forum for others' insights into push hands - if they find a certain mindset helpful in reaching ideal strength & direction. No replies, so this made me re-think the question... is it even answerable in writing or will I have to feel it over time with more practice? Am I trying to feel the breeze before I can reach the window to open it? Wouldn't be the first time.

Thanks in advance for your insight, you must be very busy getting ready for this weekend. We'll miss you, but wishing you a great trip.

domo arigato, Cindy

p.s. Van Canna's Alibi thread caught my eye, do you know if there's a uechi-ryu website in Italian? great way to practice my Italian...

Hi Cindy:

You are asking the age-old question all martial artist eventually ask. 

Wish I had the answers, but I don't. Confrontations are as varied as people. You don't plan for them, since none are prepackaged. Best you can do is be as fit as possible and train with some basic tools which will give you an edge in a bad situation.

Van Canna's forum goes into this on many levels. Obviously, your training will not be the same as a 200 pound man. However, your size and speed can be used to your advantage.

My philosophy, which I talk about once in awhile on the forums, is to enjoy life and deal with bad things when they happen. To live life under the terrible stress of being afraid of the unknown, is just as bad as the once (or never) in a lifetime run-in with a bad guy.

Train because you enjoy it. Work hard with drills and sparring because you enjoy it. 

Develop the mindset of a warrior. Don't be afraid to run away from danger, but when cornered, fight like a tiger!

See you Saturday.

Best, George

Sensei Mattson,

I am interested in entering the 2003 Uechi-ryu Championships in the spring, and would appreciate it if you would be able to e-mail me a copy of the application. I have been trying to download it from the web site, but keep receiving errors.

Also, I am wondering if a firm date has been set yet for the competition? I have seen postings on the forums stating that it will be May 31, 2003, but the home page for the Championships states Spring 2003.

I competed in the competition last year, and feel that I gained a lot from the experience. I am a student of Sensei Bruce Witherell at the Berkshire Martial Arts Academy in Cheshire, MA.

thanks, Peter Cardimino 

I will be publishing lots more information on the Uechi World Championships and Junior Uechi-ryu Championship tournament soon. The date is Saturday, May 31st though and we are planning to have it at the Plymouth Sports Dome in Plymouth, MA. GEM

Good News Around the Country

Dear Sports Editor:

Matthew Broderick took first place this weekend for the 2nd time in a row at the Friendship Cup Traditional Karate Tournament in the 16-17 year old category and won a gold metal. The tournament was held at the Colorado School of Mines in Golden, Colorado. It was sponsored by the Japan Karate-Do Ryobu-Kai Colorado. The tournament director was Isao "Gary" Tsutsui. 

Matthew earned a 2nd degree black belt in Uechi-Ryu Karate-Do last April. Matthew has spent the last three years learning tournament fighting techniques from Hideharu Igaki who is the coach of the WKF USA National Karate team. Matthew also helps teach for Mr. Igaki at the Loveland Aims Community College campus when Mr. Igaki is out of town with the US team.


Best regards,

Brandon Broderick Loveland Karate Club

Hi George:

 Gerard (white belt father) and Adam( yellow belt boy) are friends of mine and couldn't say enough about how much they enjoyed their class with you Wednesday night. A real highlight of their young karate lives. It should really carry them forward. Thanks for sharing with them. AL Muggia

Thanks for the feedback. I had a great time as well. Gary's students are "the best"!

Hope to see you show up one Saturday morning at the "Hut". We are working on some interesting drills and material which I know you would enjoy.

Best, George

The Secret is out!

In response to a request for a signed copy of "Uechi-ryu Karate Do"

Hi Keith:

I'll be happy to sign your book. They should be going up in value soon. The printer says the negatives, from which plates are made, have degraded to a point where future printings will be affected. Since the book has been out since '74, I'm probably going to "retire" it. Hard covers are now going for $200+ and first edition (with listing of black belts in back) are fetching quite a bit more. When news that my remaining books (about 2 cases) have been sold, the price should go up quite a bit.

I had a great run with this book. The only reason I didn't revise it is that I wanted people to remember Uechi-ryu as it was in the early 60s - 70s. I've completed a new book, which has been sitting on my desk for nearly 10 years. Guess its time to dust it off and get it printed.

Meanwhile, thank you for your order.

Best, George

Hi George

Just to let you know that the book arrived in perfect condition.

Many thanks for the message and signing my copy

Best wishes

Keith Alker

World Uechi News

Dear Hanshi Gem Mattson San,

Oss ! and greetings from Mumbai ( Bombay ).

I take it as a great privilege to know that I am now a member of IUKF and thank you for your kind assurance regarding the same.

I would also like to take this opportunity to thank Sensei Muthuswamy for his continued support and guidance without which admittance into this stream would not have been possible. 

Looking forward in the future, I believe that I would be able to enhance myself and my fellow students with this great art.

Best Regards 

Ashok Vankar

( Bombay / India ) 

Memories

George:

IT Will already make 1 year and I still remember your article about Waylon and your considerate words in your "What's New" Section 

Lenny

Special Requests

George sensai Hope this is not much of a bother, Dan is one of our sho-dans who likes writing, if you can help us with this we'd greatly appreciate it. Thank you mehran
  ==========================

Mehran- This is a slightly edited version of the ad I put on www.craigslist.org. If you can forward this to the other Uechi guys that would be great. Thanks, -Dan

Anyone have any good stories about their very first fight? I'm putting together a collection of stories for a little project I'm doing. I'm looking for funny, sad, inspirational, embarrassing, action-packed... whatever. Spare no detail. How old were you? How did it happen? Who started it? Who won? How did it effect you? I'm especially looking for schoolyard showdowns. I'm going to compile these into a photocopied magazine and give them away or maybe sell them for a quarter. Give me your name (can be a pseudonym if you like), age, sex, and if you want a copy, your mailing address. Try to make it under 1500 words (unless your story is so fascinating and action-packed that it must be longer). I will fix your spelling and grammar, because I am a nerd. Please send all stories to:

zartan@spamrecords.org

Thanks! -Dan

Subject: Stick fighting video.


Hi there, my name is Jim MacKinnon and I am a Sandan with the Wentworth and Kentville karate academy's. I am interested in any instructional video's you may have or may know where I could acquire on stick fighting preferably double sticks. I watched a demonstration in Moncton NB that was very interesting and would like to learn more. Since I live in a small community it is hard to acquire instruction on this style. I thank you for your time and look forward to hearing from you at your earliest convenience.

Jim

I'll forward your request to Raffi Derdarian. He has a couple of very good videos on the subject. GEM