October,
2002
Mailbag
| Note: In the course of a month I get
literally thousands of e-mail. I don't normally place correspondence in the
"Mailbag" that are either labeled "personal" or contain information of
a personal nature. As I read and answer mail, if I find a letter that I find interesting,
amusing, topical or educational, it gets filed in my "mailbag" for future use in
this feature. I try to edit out any personal information like addresses or telephone
numbers, unless the writer specifically requests that I publish it. I welcome all e-mail and will answer everyone in as timely a manner as possible. Don't be surprised if you find (or don't find) your message in this section. However, if you are concerned about your letter finding its way into the "Mailbag", simply include in the header or at the beginning of message "personal" and I will honor your request. GEM |
Dear Friends
Our representative in the World-wide Championship of karate for Children and Youths
of WORLD KARATE CONFEDERATION. Ayelen Chiaramello, is the new World-wide CHAMPION of
categories kata for children of up to 10 years of age. She is great happy for us who we want to share with all our brothers of I.U.K.F.
Carlos Sensei
PS. Ayelen is 9 years old, is 3° kyu in uechi ryu karate
People looking for Uechi dojo:
Hi I am looking for a Dojo in Calgary Alberta Canada. My son is 8 years old and it is time for him to train. Can you please help me.
Thanking you in advance D'Arcy Bryan
hi george, my name is drew truscott i trained with dick green for awhile several years ago, but wasn't able to continue when i went to college, i've since moved to utah and really want to get back into Uechi-ryu, but i can't find any dojo out here. i was wondering if you could offer any assitance in finding a Uechi-ryu dojo in the provo, UT area, or if you could recommend another style of karate or kung fu that is inline with or similar to Uechi-ryu. any help or advice you could give me would be very much appreciated, also if you see sensai green tell him i said hello and i hope all is well with him!
thank you so much,
drew truscott
Sensei Mattson:
I hope that all is well for you and Mrs. Mattson. I look forward to seeing you at the Summer Camp. My son and I will be day-trippers this year so that we can honor sensei Huff upon his elevation to 8th dan.
Alexi, the young student who interviewed you some seven or eight years ago, is now 19 and heading off to Union College in Schenectady, NY. Are there any Uechi-ryu senseis in the Schenectady area whom you would recommend so that he might continue his learning? Any help you can provide will be gratefully appreciated.
Kind Regards,
Rex Nowell
My name is Laura Larion. I currently study uechi-ryu under Sensei Rick Lambert in South Haven, Michigan. I am moving in January 2003 to South Carolina between Columbia and Augusta, Georgia. I have looked at the Uechi-ryu website but am unable to locate a dojo in the area. I really would like to continue my education as my goal is to achieve my black belt and I really think I would like to go much further than that. I am currently at rokkyu rank. If you have any information about anyone in that area that I could work under I would certainly appreciate it.
Thank you very much for your time. Laura.L. Larion
Bruce Lee research:
Dear Mr. Mattson,
My name is George Tan,and a mutual friend,Lawrence Tan, told me to contact you regarding a project I'm working on. I'm putting together my 3rd documentary on Bruce Lee,and have a photo of Lee sparring a gentleman in a dojo on which the window has a sign that reads `George Mattson Karate'. Lee is kicking a bearded man in the photo. What this docu will focus on is Lee's impact on the martial
world, and what his contemporaries thought of his abilities. I've trained with many of Lee's
students, and they put his skills at almost superhuman levels. This is where myth supercedes
reality, and soon the legend overshadows the real flesh and blood human being. My aim is to have a record of Lee's skills for future generations to analyze and learn from. Any information you can give me would be greatly appreciated. Looking forward to hearing from you!
George Tan
Dear George
As a student of Uechi these many years and realizing all of the benefits of our style both mentally and physically as well as knowing for sure that Uechi is a very effective infighting style there is one series in the system that I have never been comfortable with, and that is the Dan Kumite.
I find fault with the Dan with these observations.
#1 There are far too many blocks and deflections in it.
#2 The left leg is practically useless except for a couple of kicks going either
way.
#3 It must have been created by right handed individuals.
To the untrained eye it looks impressive but I personally don't find it combat effective. We all did the Dan over the years because we had too in order to advance in rank and most did it without question. I did question a few blackbelts over the years and told them my thoughts, but they blew it off as much as to say don't rock the boat it could upset the higher ranks.
Personally I feel the Dan should be modified, changed completely or dropped from the system, and a more realistic two person set be created. I realize that I may have just kicked many students and senior instructors sacred cow right smack in the udder but I make no apologies for questioning the Dan's ineffectiveness.
Respectfully,
Jim Robinson
Good to hear from you Jim. Your feelings regarding Dan Kumite are shared by many. IUKF has modified the "intent", "focus" and "emphasis" of the drill. Watching our advanced students perform Dan Kumite may change your opinion of the drill. Nothing is sacred about the martial arts. We've been "kicking the sacred cow" for many years . . . making our Uechi-ryu effective for the individual. Hope you will start doing the same. Best, GEM
More great ideas from Charles Roberts:
Mr. Mattson,
Just recently I was teaching my daughter how to do around house kick. I have some traffic cones. The ones that are tall. I cute the top out and placed a large ball on top. Had her to kick that the ball using the correct movements. After she was able to kick it with ease, then I put a smaller ball on top and had her to repeat the practice. By doing this she came more accurate in doing her kicks. This is an idea that someone can use in the dojo or at home. I would recommend that you place a line on the ball and to the stand.
Thank you for your time. I hope you like the idea.
Sincerely
Charles Roberts
Hi my name is Shari O'Bryant, and I am writing and article on martial arts for my high school newspaper. I was wondering if i could use some pictures from your website as long as i credit the page as a source? Could you please get back to me asap? Thanks
No problem Shari. Good luck with your project. GEM
George,
just a quick note to thank you for continuing to improve your web side allowing people like me (closet Uechi practitioners) to keep up with Uechi news and Martial Arts in general through a great web site.
Norm
Hello!
Hope you are well!
I was reading the September mailbag- and saw the post from a "Rose D" regarding a little boy 10 yrs. old, named Logan.... I would like to send him a signed copy of my story "The Spirit Dragon".... I think it might be something he'd enjoy and could use about now... Could you email Rose for me- or give her my email/give me hers, so that I could get a copy to him? Donation of coarse!
Thanks George! Best to you and Yours!
Kerry Morgan
Hi Rose and Kerry:
I sent Logan a autographed photograph of me and Tomoyose plus a couple of camp t-shirts. He sent me a very nice 'thank you' letter. I know he will appreciate the book.
Best, George
I have been trying for days to log onto the forums. But, I keep getting error 404 page not found, blah. blah. blah. Even after your last forum fixed message. What is the progress on the dimmak books? Is there any discussion about the book going on? I have name of an Acupuncture book for Bill Glasheen. Would you pass it on? Its by an MD in CA who has been training MD's for years. It may appeal to Bill 'cause its all in western doctorese. Unfortunately, the training is around 150 to 200 hours. 1/10 of our training. Scary. The book is "Acupuncture Energetics: A clinical Approach for Physicians" by Joseph M Helms, MD.
Patrick J. Dumont,
L. Ac. Acupuncture
617.429.9176
Hello,
I was wondering if you can help me locate new or second hand copies of " Powerful Empty Force" by Lin Kong Jing.
Any suggestions would be most appreciated.
Thanks
Sunil Parekh
Seminar in Wyoming!
Master Mattson,
On Saturday, November 9, 2002 I will be hosting a half day (noon to 4 pm) Uechi Seminar here in Laramie, Wyoming that will be run by my sensei, Ihor Rymaruk. Sensei Rymaruk will be visiting my small school here for the first time since I moved to Wyoming 3 years ago. My local students will of course attend and 2 of my students from Illinois will also be here.
I believe that there is a contingent of Uechi karateka in the Denver, CO area but have been unable to contact them to let them know about this event. I would like to ask a couple of favors. First, would it be possible for you to include a notice regarding this seminar on your website? Second, if you have any information regarding Uechi students in Colorado or Nebraska could you forward their contact info? There are 2 contacts listed in the instructors directory but the information is apparently dated based on my calls. I would appreciate your assistance.
My contact information is:
Keith Marcott, Sandan wk: 307-745-7474 hm: 307-721-9570 e-mail: kmarcott@trihydro.com (this is my work e-mail; the one I monitor most often)
Thanks again for your help.
Keith
Good luck with your seminar Keith. GEM
Dear Sensei Mattson,
I just wanted to thank you again for a very memorable and rewarding weekend. Your time spent with us was profitable for everyone involved from our newest student to the most advanced. You provided quality instruction that was understood by the lower ranks and yet challenged our best students as well as the instructors. Your ability to teach basics through the most advanced techniques is truly a gift. We loved every minute of the seminars and the videos that we taped will keep us reminded of the things we want to work on until your next trip out this way. We appreciate your concern for and willingness to help those schools that are isolated from the mainstream of Uechi-ryu. We have a slide show of the kids' class and the dan test as well as copies of the videos ready to snail mail.
Everyone says to tell you "Hi and many thanks!"
Linda and Gary Diffendaffer Frank and Angela Kobel Yama Bushi Dojo Cortez, Colorado
Subject: Hiya Master Matsson!
I'm bummed out. I'm tryin to find mpeg n video files of this sifu moonie dude, and I get lots of hits on google, altavista and yahoo.
I see your page has some info, but when I go to the url, like the files are not there.
It bums me out that I search and search, but when I find a link, its dead.
Why bother to have his name on your site, if there are not any files of him to be had and all.
If his files are not available, or he asked to have them moved, please save other searchers like me the trouble of looking up the stuff, and finding a dead link.
its like getting a package for xmas, and haveing an empty box once the wrapping is off it.
thankx
Dale Edwards
Rich Mooney has recently asked that all videos of him be deleted on our Uechi site. I've simply respected his request.
In order for us to eliminate all references to his name, we would have to do quite a bit of editing. . . something I don't have the time to do. If you want information on him, why not just go to his site?
Best, George Mattson
Dear Sensei:
I am a former student of Charles Earle in Providence from some years ago. I am now, thanks to you, in contact with Dan Rinchuse here in PA and plan to start training with him in September.
I had achieved the rank of Yon-Dan in 1983 under Sensei Earle's tutelage. My question is, even though I admit to not having trained in a while, do I still wear the Black Belt in the dojo? We were always told that you were a BB for life.
Thank you,
Mark Stevens Certificate #181
Yes Mark, it is a "life" sentence! :) I don't know of any dojo that would not let you wear your earned rank. GEM
Subject: Re: Here is our July Uechi-ryu Newsletter
Mr. Mattson,
Thank you for your copy of your news letter. I would enjoy them each month. I dont know what you would need, but if you ever need anything from Okinawa just let me know.
Thank You,
Mike Gieseck
Thanks for your note Mike.
The best thing you can do is to drop into our Forums every now and then to say hello. I know many people who have never been to Okinawa would appreciate hearing from you.
Best GEM
Greetings my friend,
It has been some time since we have emailed each other. We have a "guest Column" page on our site now.
I would like to invite you to write an article on something.
Talk soon.
Please sign our guest book as well if you like.
our site is koshoryu.com. The guest column page is located on the Kosho Ryu Internation site.
Shidosha Richard Buchan
Here is the letter from Peggy
quote:
Okinawa Tour For Women:
"Ladies Okinawa Friendship Tour April 2004"
PLEASE USE MY REGULAR e-mail dphess@webtv.net FOR ALL OTHER
MATTERS
Thanks, Peggy
Greetings from sunny Florida! I hope this letter finds you all in
good health.
This past summer I have done a lot of traveling and have met with or
talked to almost all whom I am writing this letter to, so most of you
already have an idea of what this is all about.
For those who I haven't seen or talked with recently... A BIG
HELLO!!!!!
And now let me fill you in.
For sometime I have been thinking about putting together a "Ladies
Okinawa Friendship Tour. "
Recently I discussed the idea with Jack Summers, Frank Gorman and
Nakamatsu Sensei. All thought it was a great idea.
I then talked with almost 20 women black belts both in Florida and
New England at recent 'Intensive Training Seminars' held with Nakamatsu
Sensei. The response was 100% enthusiastically received...
A sign-up list was started so that I could keep in contact with
everyone who expressed interest....
That's about it in a nutshell!
Here are the details
*** A minimum rank of Ikkyu (Brown Belt) and
must be at least 18 years of age
*** This trip would be opened to all associations, Uechi Ryu,
Okikukai Shohei Ryu, Kenyukai, Pangainoon and Independents.
We all were together once!
*** Nakamatsu Sensei expressed that April would be a good month.
*** Depending on how many would be going. It is my plan to stay at
the Okikukai headquarters where there are two sleeping areas {not to
mention the dojo itself...sleeping in the dojo wouldn't be a
problem!) and cooking facilities.
*** We would most likely have the teachers come to headquarters for
daily training to include two hours in the morning and two hours in the
afternoon. The evenings would be set up for different dojo visits. It
certainly would be a lot cheaper than hotels and much more fun as we
would be all together. Further it is centrally located.
*** the cost should be almost $3000.00 to include your own
spending monies for personal gifts, spirits, foods, etc. {depending
on the number of travelers} There will be one set fee for all...this
would include; Airfare, Sleeping accommodations, Some food, Some
transportation (busses or vans for sight seeing and airport transport),
and donations for the teachers.
*** Everyone must have a valid passport
*** I thought 10-14 days would be long enough and would give us
time to do some sight seeing also.
I'm sure that I will get a lot of help and assistance in setting
things up from Okinawa.
*** Stateside, Frank Gorman said he would help me as he has done this
in the past and has a great travel agency he has been working with for
years!
However ...before anything can get off the ground I need to get the
word out a little more.
So for those of you who might know of someone who would be interested
in joining the "Ladies Okinawan Friendship Tour 2004" please pass the
word, this letter or this e-mail onward. Have them contact me with Email
information so they can be added to the mailing list.
For all who would like to join {{even if I already have your
information}} Please respond BACK TO THIS e-mail so that I can keep
better track of all information.
PLEASE INCLUDE ALL OF THE FOLLOWING INFORMATION
Name listed on Passport
Street address
City,
State
zip
Country
Daytime telephone number
Evening telephone number
E-mail address
Rank
Age
Dojo / Instructor
As I said previously, Nakamatsu Sensei said April would be the best
Time, so as it stands now I am shooting for April 2004.
That is only 19 months away. This is a lot of money! So for those
who really are serious you must start saving NOW!!!
Start tucking away, put yourself on a budget... so it doesn't hurt so
much ha,ha,!!!!!
*****This will be a trip of a lifetime complete with valuable training
and travel to Okinawa the homeland of some of the best teachers in the
world.*
ALL please confirm receipt of this email ASAP so that I know my
e-mail addresses are correct.
Yours in Karate Do,
Peggy Hess, Renshi Rokkodan
Jensen Beach Fla. Shohei UechiRyu KarateDo