The Student and The Master
To the reader, please do not make any more of this than a student’s inquisition for knowledge and understanding.I have been a student of martial arts for over 47 years. In 1988, I was honored with “master” status by the Government in Southern China. Although Hung-Gar was my major influence, I’ve also studied other systems such as Choy-Li-Fut, Northern Mantis, Tai-Chi and many more which have affected my outlook and understanding of Uechi-Ryu.
I’ve also realize I’ve been a student of martial arts many more years then some of my teachers. My Mantis teacher has been studying for 22 years. I was learning the Drunken Sticks from another master with 17 years of total training.
To some, that may be an issue. I was honored these gentlemen took the time to make sure a foreigner like myself got a chance to study authentic Chinese Kung-Fu the way it was meant to be taught from the land of it’s origins.
As in many cultures, we are taught from the very beginning to honor and respect all who preceded us. This is a given and we have learned it well. We should always thank and appreciate anyone and everyone who has contributed to our leanings and skills.
Does this mean we should not or can not exceed our teachers? Does our respect for one now become our hurdle or road block? Are we limited to never exceed our teachers? Will our curiosity for more knowledge offend the very people who helped pave our roads? Should we stop training when we notice our skills being heighten to a level rivaling that of our masters?
To me, the answer is simple. I need not ponder on the issue of any of my student exceeding me for that is my wish. If any of my students should exceed me in knowledge and understanding then I have done my job well.
Our students are our seeds to the future of our art. From the strong roots which we have provided, they should flourish with larger trunks, longer and stronger branches and greener leaves. They become who they are because of their hard work. We as teachers, only provide the materials and the tools. They will honor us as we honor Master Kani and Kunbun Uechi.
If our intentions are that no one is allowed to sit with the master and this is the teachings to our students, then this art, with each generation, will certainly be doomed to be diminished and will fade from existence. My hopes are that my students learn all I have to offer and with proper training, add and compile to our collective teachings.
I have been to many dojos where students are told “this is how” a technique is used instead of “this” being only one of the options. We are all individuals. We all have our assets and short comings. To train and teach my students to be exactly like me is something I would never do. All my students are taught who I am and what I do. My encouragement is for them to be who they are and practice what they do.
Darin Yee
We have sold out of the deluxe Gi bag and don’t plan to reorder them. (storage is a problem here in Florida!) There are only six regular Gi bags left, with the embroidered uechi/IUKF logo. Being sold at cost…. $25.00.
Tia wanted to jump in his van this morning as he prepared for the drive back to Georgia where he is staying with relatives. Although Tia was only a puppy when she last met Kimo, she greeted him with kisses and her favorite toy. (Something she only does for her favorite people.) As Kimo drove off, she watched attentively, not wanting to come inside. As I’m writing this, she is at the window, looking to see if he is returning!
I was an avid motorcyclist back in the 70s and 80s. I had a Czechoslovakian race bike (CZ 500) that I raced through the Plymouth reservations three to four times a week with my good friend Dick Bettencourt, who owned the local Honda/Suzuki dealership in West Bridgewater, Ma.
The point of my story, is to relate the original stress and tension of simply getting on a high-powered motorcycle and experiencing the thrill of speeding through a narrow wooded trail, inches from protruding branches tree stumps and over gaping gullies and down steep ravines and through water and mud valleys, attempting to keep up with the breakneck speed of the experienced riders. 
My feeling is, that anyone studying the martial arts, will benefit tremendously, from the internalizing and reinforcement of fighting techniques that come from the repetitive performance of Kata, drills, Bunkai and free fighting. However, I equate this type of familiarization with fighting as more of a dry run than being ready to actually engage in a real life fight with inexperienced and tried/true streetfighter. It is important, that all martial art instructors realize the limitations and expectations resulting from their training. Having an arsenal of tools and the training to use those tools in the confines and safety of the dojo, is not the same as being surprised and overrun by one or more highly experienced (to the actual feeling of being hit, bloodied, incapacitated-on both sides of the giving/taking spectrum.) street Thugs who regularly engage in this type of fighting. 
