May, 2000 Mailbag 

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Subject: Uechi ryu training opportunities in the Netherlands 

Dear Sir,  

I have trained in Tae Kwon Do and Shotokan karate for many years and now find myself drawn to some aspects of Uechi-ryu. Unfortunately, I can find only one teacher in the Netherlands and he does not live in my city. It's too far away to visit regularly. He's supposed to be in Rotterdam. Do you happen to know of any other teachers in the Netherlands? 

Alternatively,  have you any suggestions as to which materials I might use to familiarize myself with the basic concepts of Uechi-ryu? 

Thanks for your time. 
Best regards 
Maurice

I'm amazed at how popular Uechi-ryu is becoming. Unfortunately, we don't have enough qualified instructors to go around. You might try posting a message in our "Locate a teacher/dojo" Forum. Go to http://uechi-ryu.com and click on the Forums in the upper left hand corner. 

To view all of our instructional books and tapes, go to the Uechi store: http://uechi-ryu.com/store . I highly recommend VidMag #17 for an in-depth course on Uechi breathing, basic kata and warm-ups. If you like what you see, contact me again and I'll recommend other tapes. With your background, you shouldn't have much trouble picking up Uechi.  Good luck and stay in touch. GEM

Dear Mr. Mattson,

I was pleased to not that you took the time to answer my question yourself. I suppose more people than just experienced martial artists are drawn to (imho) Uechi's purity and simplicity (the latter not meaning lack os sophistication ;)). I'll certainly obtain the vidmag you recommended and start with that. I'm positive that any questions I might have will be answered on one of your many forums. If all goes well, I'll e-mail you again for more material.

Thanks very much for your time and help

Best regards

Maurice van Steensel

Maurice A.M. van Steensel MD 
Molecular and clinical genodermatology 
University Medical Center Nijmegen  

Hello Master Mattson,

My name is Steven Malanoski. I am Grand Master Peter Urbans Rep here in Florida and a student of the arts since 1965.

I just happened to land on a page from your site while snooping around on the web, and figured that I'd say hello.

While stationed in Okinawa "3rd Reconnaisance Bn" I had the good fortune to witness your promotion to Rokudan at the big karate event held by master Ueichi. I was often detached to Camp Foster , down hill from Futenma, so although a staunch Goju man, I frequented the hombu at the approval of Ueichi Kanei Sensei. I also competed in the annual tournament three years in a row. I also worked out at Yonameini's Dojo. Well enough about me.

I never had the chance to say congratulations that day many years ago, now there is so much more to congratulate you about. Oss! Well done!

Please see my spot on Grand Master Urban's website titled Steven Malanoski's Goju-jitsu kan. The main site is www.urbangojuusa.com


Thank you for your time,

Respectfully,
Steven L. Malanoski

Hi George:

Its Fred Stone, from the Largo, FL dojo (Rick Martin's).

I'd like to get some more Uechi stickers for my new car. I also would like to get in touch with the other Uechi guys that Met. I lost my Planner so I lost all the peoples names and ways to get in touch them. I specifically wanted to get with the guy who taught sparing and he lived in Okinawa and Japan for, I think, 7 yrs.

I travel for a living, and I lost my directory for the different dojos.

I was wondering if you could help me, or if you can direct me to someone who can.

I hope I have not been rude for getting right to the point of what I need without knowing you. I would like to get to know others in our Uechi Ryu family. Its always been a great pleasure to meet and train with all the different schools and people that I have met because of my joining Uechi Ryu.

I'm currently in Dallas, TX and I desperately need to train with someone in Uechi. If not, Then I also train in Mauy Thai (Kickboxing from Thailand) and I can at least keep up with my physical shape and conditioning by training in this.

I'd appreciate your help to find Uechi people or a Mauy Thai facility.

I think Mike Mazar might be near by in Austin, TX. I was told there might be a dojo in Denton or Greenville, but I cannot find it.

Thank you, Fred Stone

Good to hear from you too Fred. Our group enjoyed working with you at the 2000Winterfest and will be looking forward to seeing you next January. All the teachers you are looking for can be found on our "Instructor's" list. Gary Khoury taught the sparring seminar at Winterfest. GEM

Hi George, I was visiting the WEB site and thought that I would say hi. Hi! How are things. I have not seen you in a long time. I still live in Boston (Brighton). I have not been able to work out in a while. Someday I hope to return to regular Uechi-ryu workouts! I'm working for the Sheriffs department in Boston. I run all the programs and support services for the Jail. It keeps me busy..... I hope to hear from you soon. 

Take care. 
Tim Burke

Good to hear from you Tim. Lots of your old dojo mates are now working out in Newton at the "Hut". Drop in one Saturday. GEM

Mattson Sensei,

Received your package Saturday. Thanks again for allowing me/my dojo to become part of your organization. You can be assured that I will uphold the Charter and Codes of Conduct and Ethics. Being new please let me know any requirements you have of me. I do feel privileged to be asked to take an active role in Federation business. I wish I could have attended Saturday's workout and meeting. I hope things went well and the support is building for this worthy cause. 

The Full Instructor Certificate got framed today and will be proudly displayed in the dojo come Monday night. 

I'm looking forward to the summer camp this year! I hope a few of my students will also attend.

Please let me know if your travels ever take you near Quakertown PA. I would be honored to have you come and teach us. There are some nice golf courses around also. 

Respectfully,

Alan Lowell EDA Uechi-Ryu 

Dear George

If you or any of our Karate Friends would like to check out our Bali Resort..... we have just opened our Website, check it out

Put the word out to everyone..... we are considering offering special travel-hotel packages to Karate Friends

Web site balipavilions.com

Let me know what you think about the quality of the Web Site, the music you hear is Balinese bamboo drum like instruments

See ya later

Bob Campbell

My Test

As some of you know, I was planning on driving down to Cedar Rapids Iowa and testing for 4th Dan this weekend at the Sensei Nishiyama Seminar.

For 4th Dan, you have to perform a kata, answer questions, turn in a paper and do a presentation. Mine is called "Oyo: Omote & Ura, A guide to Discovering Practical Application of Kata for Self Defense"

I've been working on pieces of it for years, and started more seriously in the last year. The last two weeks I put quite a bit of work into it. I took Thursday off from work and worked on it all day. I was still working on it Friday. I was supposed to leave at noon to go to the seminar, but that got pushed back. I figured I'd leave a little late. I had a room reserved for both nights. Maybe skip Friday night's class and take the morning and afternoon sessions before my test. I ended up working on it all night long. Now I figured I'd maybe miss the morning session and take the afternoon class from 2-4pm. I haven't stayed up all night in a LONG time. :-\

As I started to assemble it all into one document, my computer shut down on me a couple of times. NOT fun. :-( I never lost more than a little bit of work though. I finally decided it was too big when it hit 6000 kilobites and I split it up into five sections.

About 5:30 AM, I put together my new printer, bought especially for this purpose (to print good pictures from the digital camera I bought just for this purpose) and started printing. I ran out of paper and went down to Walgreen's, where I bought the "highest quality" ink jet paper. I bought 500 sheets and I almost ran out. I took a shower and changed cloths and headed off to the office to use the binder. I bound all the books and headed off to pick up the world's most patient girlfriend. While I was sitting at a really bad stoplight (it went through 4 cycles before I got through) it dawned on me I wasn't gonna make it. It's a 4 hour and 45 minute drive to Cedar Rapids with no stops, if everything goes perfect. And for me everything WASN'T going perfect. It was about 11AM when I pulled into my girlfriend's lot. If everything went perfect, I'd get there just as the test was starting, not having slept for two days, and no time to warm up.

I decided to forget it. We went to get something to eat and I went to sleep.

Now I have eight beautifully bound copies of a 40 page paper complete with photos all printed on the highest quality paper. There's a few things I'd like to change, so maybe I've got eight edit copies. I'm not gonna work on it now though. :-| It does feel like an accomplishment to actually get it done.

Many of you wanted to see the paper and I was going to e-mail out copies, but there's about 10,000 kilbites of info and I can only e-mail 1000 kilobites at a time.

Bye for now.

Dave

PS If you're over 18 and you can avoid staying up all night to finish a project, I would highly recommend it. 

No Probs George! Here we go... Tobi (Thanks for translating this post Tobi. GEM)

hej jag heter maria och vi arbetar med ett projekt i skolan och skulle gärna vilja ha lite fakta om karate t.ex. hur den kom till och lite sånt. min hotmail adress är: maria_jurs@hotmail.com M.V.H Maria. tacksam för svar snarast möjligt om ni har någon fakta!!!!!!!!!

= Hi my name is maria and we are working with a project in school and would like to get some facts about karate, for example how it originated and things like that. My hotmail address is: maria_jurs@hotmail.com

With Kind Regards, Maria Grateful for a reply asap if you have any facts!!!!!!!!!

George-Sensei....someone sent this to me and I immediately thought of you...~grin~ Have a good one! Mary S.

Karate Federation of India Regd. by Govt. Of India Affiliated to World Karate Organisation World Association of Kick Boxing Organisation. Japan Karate Organisation HQ: Press Complex, Behind Municipal Park, Near Arna Barna Chowk, Patiala - 147 001. 

Mr. George E. Mattson 
President International Uechi-Ryu Karate Federation

Respected Sir, Greetings.

First of all I would like to introduce myself. I am Dhanesh Sharma President : Karate Federation of India (Regd. by Govt. of India). Our federation is affiliated from World Karate Organisation, World Association of Kickboxing Organisation and Japan Karate Organisation etc. I was also a gold medalist in World Karate Championship organised by World Karate Organisation held on March 1998 at Florida, America. I opened your website from which I came to know about the Karate Championships being organised by your organisation, from May 20, 2000 at Massachusettes. It would be a golden opportunity for us if we get a chance to participate in such a glorious event. I shall be grateful to you if you send me invitation for this championship by FAX. If you need any type of information for the invitation please feel free to contact me at my above mentioned address. Hope to get prompt response from your side. Thanks. 
With regards Dhanesh Sharma 

Konichiwa Mattson Sensei, 

I saw your listing on "The Creative Brother's" website. I'm a Tampa, Florida-based martial artist and instructor. I've never done Uechi, but there's quite a few of your Uechi brothers and sisters in the Bay Area. I don't mean to sound like a suck-up, but I really enjoyed your book "Uechi-Ryu Karate-Do." It really has a lot of good historical information and training tips for martial artists of any system. I refer to my copy regularly. I bow to you Mattson Sensei and wish you and your family only the best. Uniquely yours, 

Sean C. Ledig Founder/Chief Instructor, Hand2Hand Chinese Kickboxing Club.

I hope you are fine. I am Karate Instructor. Send us coming soon tournament other countries. I visited Japan & England. Thanks

Inayat Ullah 

Hi George. I'm on the road yet again, this time trying to take life slow at a friend's place in Greece. The Uechi people here are in Volos, up towards Thessaly, so I haven't had a chance to visit yet; one of Mario Topolsek's people was here in suburban Athens somewhere but apparently he's gone back to Belgrade.

I'm wondering if you might have a current address/phone number for Robbie Buckland at his new demesne in central Mass. Tried to call Larry Tan but Larry's in China/HK until later this month, and I'd like to get hold of Robbie if I can. If you're in touch with him, please maybe just have him email me directly so I have his email address as well.

Hope all is well.

Best regards

Mike Cleven 

Sensei Mattson, Here's a summary of some ideas I had for things to do at summer camp. I'm still mulling things over, and I can get more details later. Please let me know what you think.

Jake Steinmann

Potential Classes for the Uechi-Ryu Summer camp 2000

Introduction to the SPEAR system: Tony Blauer’s SPEAR system is a revolutionary tool designed to help you use your training more effectively in the street. This class will give a basic overview of the SPEAR system, including Emotional Climate training, the Tactical SPEAR, and integrating the SPEAR with your style.


F.E.A.R. Management and the Psychology of Street confrontations: In combat, you must be prepared to act mentally before you can act physically. Lack of a proper mindset accounts for most tragedies in the street. This class will help you develop the mental tools you need to handle a street confronation successfully. 

Sensei:

Once again we would like to thank you for an exciting and enlightening weekend. We all feel very fortunate to have had you and Rich Baptista come to see Chicago Uechi-ryu, and to conduct our largest Dan Test ever. All seven candidates worked very hard to prepare and we are honored that you were pleased with their performances.

Also, we thank you for the excellent seminars you presented. Your insight into Uechi-ryu, and your special way of conveying your experiences to others are unparalleled. Every student took from the seminars a new perspective on their training. We look forward to your next visit!

Sincerely,

David M. Kahn Chicago Uechi-ryu Karate 

Altanta Student search for information on the crest on your uniform and additional information on Uechi-Ryu. Also to communicate with other students in other States. Thank you for any assisted

Mac Arthur

Give Bruce Hirabayashi a call regarding a teacher.Post your question on Bill Glasheen's forum. We discussed the crest topic before on one of the forums. GEM

I am stationed at Camp Hanson. I am trying to find a judo dojo near Ken ville or near Camp Hansen. I was wondering if you knew of any good judo dojos here on Okinawa or have any judo contacts here on Okinawa. Any help is appreciated.

Thankyou 

CPL Randall Jones

Sensei Mattson , I thought I would just drop a quick line to confirm with you about our trip to the New England Championships. I will be driving down with three Sr. Officials and will be picking up a fourth at the airport in Boston on Friday. 

Along with John Hassels people that is two full rings. I realize that may leave you a bit short but we will be able to do a great job for you never the less. If this is a problem ,please let me know. Also, do you have an E-Mail address for Gary Khoury or a telephone number. I have a tape on Sweeping techniques for him. Thanks in advance.....Ron 

Looking forward to working with you and your associates again Ron. Enclosed is Gary's email address. GEM

Dear George:

I'm 42 years old. I studied Uechi-Ryu Karate Do when I was approximately
17 years old for 4 years. My instructor was Steve Rando, who studied under Mister Montgomery, perhaps Bob, here in Waltham, Massachusetts.

Approximately half-way through my studies, Ted Kresge visited my Dojo and updated our techniques.

I have two questions.

First, where is the best dojo available to continue my studies of Uechi-Ryu Karate in my area of Waltham, MA.

Second, where may I obtain a version of Ted Kresge's " Encyclopedia of Karate and other Martial Arts" which is discontinued.

I do have, in my possession, a copy of your Uechi-Ryu Karate book illustrated with Kanei Uechi performing the movements.


Thank you very much,

Tom G.

Hi Tom:

I'm not familiar with Steve Rando, but Joe Montgomery studied with me for quite a while. I'm also familiar with Ted Kresge.

Regarding your questions: Please drop in to the "Hut" in Newton Center and take classes with our group. Tuesday and Thursday is the "Intermediate" classes. Wed and Sat are for advanced students.

Tue/Thu class time is from 6-7pm. Sat is 10-11:30am. Wed: 5:30-7pm

Ted's book is unavailable. I don't think anyone kept any copies either.
Sorry.

If you are on the Internet, go to http://uechi-ryu.com/store and check out the wide selection of books and tapes. GEM

Mr. Mattson:

After reading your April 13, 2000 edition of "What's New," I couldn't help but wonder if the Uechi Dojo that lost out on a bid with a public entity because it did not teach TKD had considered a bid protest. Since I don't know where the school is located, I have no idea what the public contracting laws are like. In California, however, unless there was some reason for only allowing TKD to bid on the contract, the bid would be subject to protest. 

The judge reviewing the protest would need to find there was some rational basis for excluding all but TKD schools from the bidding process. (i.e., aim of the program was to develop TKD Olympic hopefuls.) On most public contracts, there is an implied obligation on the part of the public entity to structure the bids so as to foster competition among qualified bidders, not to limit the number of bids or place artificial barriers to the bid process.

For what's worth.

Robb in Sacramento

Mr. Mattson:
Have you ever heard of a martial arts instructor named Ed Mead?

He was active in the northeastern Massachusetts region during the sixties and seventies, and was in Connecticut for a while. 

Yes I do remember Mr. Mead. He was one of the best Judo teachers in the New England area way back in the 60's. He eventually began teaching Shotokan karate in the mid 70s, but he is best known for his Judo expertise. GEM

Sensei Mattson:

We are constructing a new web site at www.makotomac.com

With your permission we will include a link to your site. Could you provide one for us?

If so thanks!

Mark Flynn Albany, NY

Thanks for including our site in your 'Links' section Mark. Good luck with your project. GEM

I noticed that you "memoriam" section ran a brief a notice on Al Ford. 

I remember the name. He ran a karate school in Lowell, Massachusetts during the 1960s and the 1970s.

It was one of the first in Middlesex County.

The "Bassett Guy"

For the time being, we are limiting the competition to Uechi-ryu practitioners. GEM

Hi -   Would it be o.k. if I asked you some questions on Uechi-Ryu?? I took Kenpo a couple of years ago, and really miss taking Karate.   I live in Northern, NH - just curious about this style, and it's close to home.   Thanks for your time   Kim

Lots of great dojo in New Hampshire Kim. Please look them up in the "Instructor's" site. GEM

Hi Sensei Mattson;

The pictures got here today and everything is fine. Thanks a lot for your help. Uechi-Ryu is growing and prospering in Edmonton. We are all getting pumped for Sensei Mott's annual visit in the first two weeks of June. The turnouts get bigger every year for him. Co-sponsoring his visits for the last six years has been some of the best money I've spent in all my years in Uechi-Ryu. I am also looking forward to another long argument as we stand looking at the single malt scotch selection. It's so tough to decide....

Thanks again, Doug

Please post David's seminar dates on the Forums Doug. Perhaps Dr. "X" will join you and help with the 'after workout' debate. GEM

Hello George-Sensei.

I have one quick question regarding registration for the sparring division. What qualifies a person for division A or B? Is it the number of tournaments attended or rank, or something else? this will be my first time fighting in the Uechi tournament, should I register for the B division? I greatly appreciate your response. Thanks.

Regards, Vladimir Fookson.

Good question Vladimir. The "A" division is for the more experienced Black Belt fighters. "B" division is for the less experienced competitors. You can enter either division. Hopefully we will get more participation from Black Belts who normally do not enter competition with this new "B" division. GEM

Dear Mr Mattson

I have been practicing goju ryu karate for a couple of months. I already practiced tae kwon do (5 years) and aikido (2 years). I read the articles on sanchin you put on the web with great interest, and I would like to know more on the pros and cons of this kata. Is it true that it is unhealthy, and that, even if done correctly, it is of no use at all? Could you suggest mefurther readings on the subject, or could you tell me more about it? Thank you very much.

PS Please excuse me for the grammatical errors you may find in this letter, but I do not handle English very well yet.