September MailBag

[Table of Contents]

At some point, we should put together an "article" page relating to the discussions pertaining to the new NAC Code of Ethics. Until we do this, I'll include some of the more interesting posts here:

There was a comment from someone about how we should not vote for this item because an instructor may be sued while applying CPR and inadvertently hurting someone, etc.

Consider the alternative. Suppose I am teaching a class and a 55 year old man drops during exertion from a heart attack. Would I not be considered negilgent if I was not trained in CPR and I was not able to administer? Never mind whether or not I may have saved his life. I created the exercise environment, and cardiac failure is a known possible consequence of exertion. I think in a court of law, I would rather be the one who unsuccesfully applied CPR rather than the one who conducted an exercise class and had a student die from cardiac failure and I was not able to respond beyond calling 911.

If one does not want to be prepared on the most basic level to deal with a student getting hurt or suffering a fatal heart attack because one fears a law suit, then one should consider whether or not he/she is TOO risk averse to teach karate. If it's any consolation, the courses teach what to do and when. As long as someone does exactly as instructed and uses common sense (like don't put a tournequet on the neck) then one should be reasonably well protected. [Bill Glasheen]

Success!! Three more weeks of hassling with the telecom companies to get the school's internet up and going (would you believe we first had to connect at 2400 baud??!!). Finally here we are. I'll be a week or two setting up educational directories, downloads, and bookmarks for the kids and teachers, and then maybe I'll have time to think of a home page for the school and/or the Seton Lake Dojo. As soon as I get a chance, I'll scan the contact sheets from this year's (and previous) summer camps and send them as e-mail attachments, then send the hard copy to you directly. If there's any you'd like to post I can scan them and post them from this end as needed.

It doesn't look like I'm going to be here through the winter, as Stuart is planning on returning to Florida in November - and it also looks like it's going to be a long, cold winter. There's been fresh snow on the peaks regularly for the last couple of weeks, and the bears are down in the valley at infestation levels (got chased by a mom and cubs last night while walking home!).

As you may know by now, the Seton Lake Dojo is hosting the First Annual Seton-Ohin-Shalalth Uechi-Ryu Karate Tournament at Crane Hall on October 19. I guess that's news worth posting on uechi-ryu.com; who knows, maybe someone from outside BC might just show up!

Anyway, now that this is up and running I'm sure you'll be hearing from Stuart or I more regularly.

Looking forward to your response . . .
Yours truly,
Mike Cleven

Congratulations Mike. Amazing how many dojo are communicating on-line. However, my reply to you via email was "bounced" back to me with the message that "it could not be delivered". Hopefully you will read this and help me solve the problem. Had problems with other B.C. email addresses. Good luck with your tournament. Looking forward to receiving the pictures. Did you take any of the early morning Sanchin by the Sea class? GEM

Hello George:Thanks for responding to my question(s). I am surprised that a black belt can be achieved in 2.5 to 3 years. I was figuring at least 4 based on 3-4 classes a week, plus personal time.Question: In Okinawa, how long does a typical student take to achieve a black belt? Is a black belt in Okinawa "better" than say a black belt who learned from you or some other instructor...be honest....in the US?? What did you mean when you said the rest of your life suffered? How so? I am using Karate to augment my life. All I have given up thus far is TV at night, and some personal time with my wife. I am working out more now also as a result of my attendance at classes.
I look forward to your response...
Joe
Hi Joe:
Generally, the average time to reach black belt is 2 1/2 - 3 years. In the "old days", we used to require 500 hours minimum training to qualify. Today, we try to follow Okinawan standards, which are generally shorter times than what we expected. I've been teaching for quite a few years and many students, like yourself, were extremely dedicated and single minded about their karate training. I was that way during my first Okinawa tour, where I worked out 4 hours a day, 7 days a week for over a year. I kept up this schedule upon my return to the states for many years. But the rest of my life suffered! There is nothing wrong with putting "everything" into your study for a period of time. . .but make sure that you don't do what many students do. . . . give up completely when they can't keep up with their unrealistic schedule.
Again, good luck and keep in touch. GEM

Dear Mr. Mattson:
I'm very interested in the history and tradition of Karatedo, and so it was just a question of time to find and read your books, "The Way of Karate" and "Uechiryu Karate Do". both ar excellent, especially Uechiryu Karate do" (1993 edition) gave me a good background on Uechiryu. but I still would have a lot of questions, about the Pangai-noon and Kingai-noon system. but there was not much to find in other sources, so I hoped that you maybe have written a book on the history of Uechiryu.

I practice a shorin style called "Shudokan".

Like in shito-ryu, we also practice a lot of katas. The most important thing is to practice the kata, but for me the history, origin and philosophy of the kata is also important. To search to the great masters. From my sensei I heard that the kata Gojushiho, Shinpatan, Shinpacho . . . should come from the Chinese Pangai-noon system. Do you have any information about this fact?

If you can recommend me a book or can give any iformation on the history of Pangai-noon and Kingai-noon system, please let me know. If you have written a book, please send it to my address, I will send you the money immediately.

Yours sincerely,

Belina Christian
Vienna
Austria, Europe

Perhaps one of our readers will be able to help out here. In the meantime, I'll send you information on Alan Dollar's new book, which has new and interesting information regarding Uechi-ryu and its history. GEM

FYI....for those of you with pagers or know people with pagers.
FYI
Alert: Telephone/Pager Scam

According to Unisys Telecommunications office, anyone with a pager should beon the alert.
>
>Someone is sending pages to get people to dial a number that costs $25 justto dial. The number is 809-404-5468. Don't call it. This type of scam has been played before. If you receive a page to any 809 area code number, do not call it unless you know it to be valid. The warning has been forwarded from LITC in Denver - this scam has already hit Denver. Note: Area code 809 covers a number of Caribbean islands.

Thanks to Robert Kaiser for sending in this alert

Hi George,
Attached is the drawing of the Makiwara Board as requested by Carmine. I hope you like it - if you have any problems with its clarity, let me know and I will be happy to mail you the original. Enjoy the little bit of sunshine that we are FINALLY having!!

Regards,
Betty

P. S. - I have been hearing such great feedback from my dad about
your classes!

Thanks Betty. I'll send the drawing to anyone interested. Everyone has been enjoying working out with Carmine as well. He hasn't changed at all in the past 25 years!

Dear Sensei Mattson:
I am very interested in seeing the proposed code of ethics. In Richmond, the health club in which we operate is expanding to a new, much larger facility which will give us the opportunity to grow. However, as we expand our numbers, the opportunity for a "bad apple"to hurt us grows. Also, the subject of liability in general concerns me.

I'll be discussing these issues with Bill Glasheen, and Ron Klein via email, but would also like to be copied for any documents relating to these issues as I will be instructing more and more as the facilities expand and our clubgrows.

By the way, great new graphics!

Regards, Rich Castanet Richmond 9/8/96

Hi George:
I had totally forgotten about Howard Flynn. On occasion I would think of him along with the other people I knew and worked out with. I was really shocked to learn from your pages that he had died. Was this a long time ago or in recent years? The last time I saw him was at your dojo on Cambridge St. He had just made his Shodan. I believe Master Uechi was there as well.
Hope to see you soon. ...................... Marty Goldberg

I'm still looking for biographical information on Howard and other Uechi friends who died. GEM

Birthday greetings Sensei Mattson!

I hope you will set a good example for us in Uechi by maintaining excellent health and fitness until at least age 90 - then you can start taking it a bit easier.

Best regards,
John.

John Lovas
Uechi-Ryu Karate-Do
Dave Hunt's Karate Academy
Bedford, Nova Scotia, CANADA.

Why 90! I'm good for 110 at least. Then I'll consider slowing down.

Sensei:

Of course we want to wish you Happy Birthday! It is nice that you pointed out the date so we could do just that. And, of course, a lot of people would have been reluctant to draw attention to this event at this stage of their lives. It serves to illuminate one of the qualities of truly great martial artists; unbridled humility. Best wishes from yours truly and all my dojo mates at Dave Hunt's Karate Academy. I will be working out in a couple of hours from now and I will alert them to this milestone.

Once again, HAPPY BIRTHDAY !!!

Brian Hutchinson

You have now been listed in the Tong Long Kung Fu links page! This is a new page which covers southern praying mantis style Kung Fu on the Gold Coast Australia. I would greatly appreciate it if you could include a link back to us on your martial arts page. Our URL is as follows:

http://xenios.qldnet.com.au/genesis/kungfu/

Thanks!

Troy Hunt
Genesis Innovations

Mr. Mattson:

I was wondering if you knew of a Uechi dojo in Austin,Texas as I haven't been able to locate one as of yet.

Regards, Paul
mat0117@interlink.or.jp

John Ray might know of someone. I've forwarded you letter to him. Did you check out the dojo list?

Dear Mr. Mattson,

I am a student (former --because I am currently off at college) of Mr. Buzz Durkin. I have met you several times at the Intramurals he holds annually. I know you communicate with him frequently (being his teacher and friend) and I was wondering if, possibly, you had his current e-mail address and would kindly give it to me so that I could maintain contact with him and my friends at his school. If you could, I would very much appreciate it! Thanks. Sincerely,
Katherine Nute
Wheaton College, Class of 2000.

His email address is "buzz@uechi.com"

Hi Mr. Mattson,
My name is Frank Koppelkamm and I have studied Uechi Ryu Karate in Kentville, Nova
Scotia.I am heading to Europe the end of September and would like to continue this same
style in London, England. Could you please send me information and addresses
about academies in or near London.
Hope to hear from you soon.
Thank you Frank Koppelkamm.

Check out the teachers at "Dojolist". Good Luck and keep in touch.

Very nice comments and submissions to the On-line magazine! Just thought I would bring you up to date. Next week we will be hosting Harvey Libergott.He'll be visiting the Shinwa Dojo Thursday and Friday evenings.

On Saturday (September 14) he will be our guest at a special seminar being held in Coloma, Michigan. The morning will be devoted to our Uechi kata forms (mostly application of techniques and various bunkai interpretations). The afternon we will be focusing on kobudo. Two kata will be introduced, Anako no Sai and Sakagawa no kon sho. The goal of the seminar is to get everyone reading from the same library--and perhaps the same book. This will be the first of many monthly gatherings of the NAC students in Southwestern Michigan where we will be able to concentrate on sharing our Uechi ryu and learning kobudo.

Our first NAC retreat will be held in Escanaba, Michigan at the Delta Country Budokan from Thursday evening (September 19) through Sunday morning (September 20). Seminars will be conducted on Dan Kumite, kata interpretation, grappling and kobudo. Mr. Sherman Harrill (7th dan Isshinryu and first generation student of Master Shimabuko) will be our guest and will be conducting a workshop Friday evening September 20 and all day Saturday Sept.21. We will be holding kyu belt examinations in kobudo on Sunday.

Had a wonderful time in Iowa at Mr. Harrill's school. Dave Lamb stopped by for a short visit on Saturday. He is really a fine fellow and very skilled! We discussed ther kobudo proposal and the framework of the certification program. Off tomorrow morning for a short seminar to another Korean martial arts group-building trust and goodwill! The seminar is going to look at similarities in kata forms (ours and theirs)-should be interesting.

What else? Not much. Cleaning up the gardens and geting ready to cull this years crop of koi. The long winter and cool Spring delayed spawining until hot weather-I doubt that many fry survived. Do anyother Uechi-Ryu or NAC folks raise koi? I'd be curious to know.
Give my best to Susan.
Best Wishes,
Ron Klein

Sensei Mattson,
My name is Darcy McQuillan, and I am formerly from Sensei "Bub" Pelham's dojo in Kentville, Nova Scotia. I am also a former member of Howard High's "Cyberdojo" here on the net. We met at the Dragon Classic tournament in Bedford, Nova Scotia last October, although I'm sure you met quite a few of us there! After I finished at Acadia University in May, I moved back home to Prince Edward Island, and last week I joined Sensei Bill Marshall's Uechi-ryu Club in Charlottetown. I must say it is a great pleasure to be studying karate again, and that I am very impressed with what I have seen of Sensei Marshall's teaching , especially kata. I am also impressed with the On-Line Magazine's progress from it's humble beginnings just after you joined the Cyberdojo.
You have done a great job with it, and I'll be sure to try to get as many of our P.E.I. members to join as possible.
Darcy McQuillan
clement@pei.sympatico.ca

PS. My dad has relatives in Roxbury (sp?), Mass. and he visits every now and then. I might just join him next time and visit the home of North American Uechi-ryu...... :)

Hello, Sensei Mattson,

I hope is all is well with you. I love your site. Especially the forum.

I was wondering if you would be willing to link my Homepage with yours somehow.

My page is under construction as all pages on the www are. My goal is to compile a compendium of Uechi Ryu Sites worldwide. The interface is easy to follow. As I surf the www for Uechi sites I have found that it can get tricky. My pages are dedicated to Uechi Ryu only - no other martial art.

This page leads to that page and all of a sudden your where you don't want to be.

My pages are designed to bring people to exactly where they want to go -plain and simple. I'm still gathering informatiom of the Uechi sites worldwide and hopefully my page will expand as my research does. At least this is my goal.

By the way I study under Nancy Gavenda at the Danvers dojo. I am a nidan, and I teach the children's classes as well as some of the adult classes. I love what I'm doing. Uechi is the best. This is why I'd like to see Uechi be very progressive and gather as many practioners as possible. I want to see many more people get involved in the practice of Uechi Ryu.

My URL is: http://www.cris.com/~Sanchin1. That is a capital "S"

Thank you for your time

Sue Bertrand
sanchin1@concentric.net

Check out Sue's site folks, just click on the highlighted address. It will also be included on the "Hot Sites" page.

Dear Mr. Mattson,

If you are still in need of people for the committee to develop a code of ethics, I would be interested. I am a beginner at Uechi Ryu, but have taught Shotokan in Dojos, Universities, elementary schools, and summer camps for 16 years, so I have some experience.

Let me know if you still need help.
Maurice Richard Libby
--
mori@io.org
Toronto, Ontario

"Always pick a bigger opponent. They're easier to hit"
Terry Pratchett

Welcome to the committee Maurice.

Hello Sensei Matteson,

My name is Bobbie Walden, Shodan of Uechi-Ryu Karate Association of Arizona - chief instructor, Sensei Al Saddler. I will be vacationing in Honolulu, Hawaii the week of 9/23-9/28 and am very interested in locating a Uechi Ryu dojo or any other style that you would recommend while visiting this beautiful island. Please send all information to my personal email address.

Thank you in advance for your assistance. I would like to invite you visit our AZ website at www.primenet.com/%7Erandydan/

Respectfully yours
Bobbie Walden

Hope I typed that address correctly Bobbie. BTW, we have a couple of teachers who work out together in Hawaii. Check out the Dojo Listings.

This article first appeared as an editorial in Budo Shinbun. [and submitted to the Cyberdojo by Bill Johnson 9/12/96]

For the Honor of the Ryu

At a recent taikai I was asked why so many people showed up in suits, and replied, -For the honor of the ryu.- I don't think the young man who posed the question understood the answer, and that illustrates a fundamental problem with martial arts in the West, a problem that I, and others like me, have been striving to do something about for a number of years.

A hundred years ago in Japan, the martial arts in general, and jujutsu in particular, didn't have a very good reputation. Schools that had been for the exclusive use of samurai were opened to commoners, and their lack of military discipline had an almost immediate effect. To put it simply, they tended to be a bunch of street-fighters. As a result, in a single generation, the term martial artist ceased to be synonymous with a member of the ruling class and became associated with the lower members of the society.

The only thing that saved budo in Japan was public (higher) education. For fifty years, university martial arts organizations have been both large and active. They number their membership in the tens of thousands and it's normal for a college graduate to have had training in kendo, judo, or any of the other more popular martial arts. Even those people who are studying one of the smaller traditional ryu generally were introduced to the martial arts by a college physical education class. As a result, there is a very high percentage of Japanese martial artists holding university degrees.

So, in the past hundred years Japan has seen budo transition from the mark of the ruling class to the mark of the working class to the mark of the well-educated class. Look at any senior Japanese martial artist of today and you will, almost invariably, find that his social status matches his martial arts rank: odds are that he is a school principle, businessman, or bank officer, and a respected member of the community.

Unfortunately, budo in the West started in the second stage+we are presently where Japan was a hundred years ago+and never had a samurai history to draw on. Say -martial arts- to anyone (outside of Japan) and the first thing that pops into his mind is a second-rate movie actor portraying, you guessed it, a street-fighter.

The fact that students of budo are not street-fighters is completely irrelevant. The same is true for the facts that many budoka are well-educated and respected members of their society. The public simply doesn+t know this; All they know is what they see on television or in the movies, and what they see in the movies is not reality. Of course, the public doesn't really want reality, which is why Hollywood makes so much money. You don't think Karate Kid would have been a success if the final contest had been kata instead of kumite, do you?

This leaves us with a problem, a double-barreled problem: the public doesn't know what we do, and it doesn+t want to know.

Thus the suits. Every member of the public is conditioned from childhood, starting with his school's principle, to associate suits with authority figures and, when a person sees a group of people that appear to be doctors or lawyers or bank presidents, then discovers that they are attending a martial arts seminar, a sub-conscious link will be made. From that day forward, every time he sees a film containing a karate fight scene, the image will be colored by his memory of a group of polite, well educated, and obviously important people.

Maybe, if enough people from other schools start copying us, the public will finally get the message. Until then we will continue our efforts to educate them...for the future of the martial arts...

...and the honor of the ryu.
Fredrick John Lovret
November, 1995

Please update my listing in the List of Uechi-ryu Dojos! Rather than just list "Lawrenceville", you might put in the notation "15 min. Northeast of Atlanta" so folks have an idea where I am.

Thanks!

Bruce Hirabayashi
Home: (770) 513-8410 Work: (770) 538-2029

We would like to know if we can get picture of the dragon,tiger and crane in a poster. Please reply via e-mail. If there is any information you can send us via mail please send to:

Patrice Babin

We considered doing a poster for this year's camp. However, a four color quality poster will be very expensive to print. If there is enough interest, we will do one. GEM

Dear George:

I appreciate your replies to my e-mails. If you have the time, could you please tell me what my two teachers, Charles Earle and Frank Gorman, are doing. I know Frank went to Florida some years ago. Does Charles still have that great dojo on Weybosset Street in Providence?

Thank you, and best wishes. JD Swartz bullhill@valinet.com

They are still active and listed on this site's dojo listing. Check out our website and let us know what you have been doing. Are you still active in Uechi-ryu? GEM

Dear George:

I just sent an e-mail to Susan at G&S Consulting regarding the tapes I want to order.

In answer to your question of what I am doing now, I'm 52, and a 21 year Deputy Sheriff. I started with Charles Earle in '69 while working on my MA at Brown. I left Charles (and Providence) in '71 with a san kyu rank and a frustrated desire to learn more. In '78 I started driving 110 miles round trip to study with Frank Gorman, and got my Sho Dan in May of '79. Lack of time etc. prevented me from progressing far beyond that, but I have always tried to study and learn as best I can. I studied with various people on and off, then in '90 a bit of nerve damage in my back ended vigorous workouts. But I still practice. I have Alan Dollar's tapes, and they are a great help. I also have his new book. I devoured your two books - I probably have parts memorized.

I have always enjoyed kata, and do all eight on a regular basis. The movements and everything they contain are pure joy. I also try to learn katas from other styles. Are you familiar with the Shotokan kata Nijushiho? The similarities between that and Sanseiryu are striking.

I will be very interested in the superempi tape. Could it be related to the last Uechi kata? I have seen the goju version.

Thank you for the reply. J. D. Swartz

Sensei:
Another wonderful Summer Camp! I enjoyed myself immensly as did the students who also attended. I appreciate the scholarships for the students who are hardship cases as they would not have been able to attend otherwise. Thank you very much!

I really enjoy Sanchin with you in the a.m. Each time, I learn something new about a kata that has been done a million times. Your enthusiasm and dedication to this kata is to be commended! And talk about spiritual - Wow!

I enjoyed the format this year - a nice variety of events, techniques and teachers. Again, the climate of learning and enjoying the martial arts is reinforced over and over.

Lastly, I enjoy the comraderie, the friendships and the positiveness from all. I'm still on a high!

Yours in Karate -
David Lamb

Note: I asked for and received permission from Mr. Johnson to reprint this article regarding the differences beween budo and sport. Hope you will enjoy it as much as I did. GEM

Date: Wed, 4 Sep 1996
From: "Johnson, Bill" WHJ5K@hscmail.mcc.virginia.edu

Hi all, I guess this thread illustrates one of the significant differences between budo and sport. In sport karate, one is defeating an opponent. In budo, one is defeating the self. Minamoto Musashi points out that the warrior must learn to keep the mind calm and focused, not afflicted by external distractions. The budoka is striving for the normal mind, the mind that does not stop. In sport, one is attaining a goal, and using a structure (a controlled environment) to gain self improvement and experience the win/lose exilaration of sport. The budoka is striving for the mind in which each technique is complete and finished in itself, thus moving without fixation at any one moment. "If your mind is normal, that is, if your mind does not stop, it does not matter whether you fight one or ten. If ten opponents strike at you in succession, you must deal with each attack without stopping to consider. That way , you deal with each attack as if it were alone. If you think about striking , your mind is taken up with striking....." As I have stated before, there are distinct differences between budo and sport. In budo , one trains to be at a single level. Ideally, one doesn't change one's mental state in combat, but has the same attitude in battle as in doing daily routine things. In this way, the warrior reacts naturally, and moves beyond technique. This kind of mental training is not compatable with competition. That is not to say either is superior. You choose your own Way. Whether that is to gain personal growth through the confrontation of an opponent, or to gain personal growth through the defeat of the self by the self, each path has it's own goals. One must see clearly the difference between winning and surviving, between overcoming an opponent, and simply evading him. In budo, one develops the sword that gives life. That is, the sword that kills when unavoidable, but which serves justice. It is not a competitive feeling, but one of escape. If I survive, I win, not , if I hit him first, I get the point, the match, the trophy, the accolades, and the feeling of accomplishment in defeating a worthy adversary. One cannot savor the budo, one simply is. It is not possible to desire the thrill of victory and simply be at the same time. If your mind is taken up by winning or losing, you are not doing budo. That is not to say that one cannot compete, competition is a forum in which simple techniques may be tried ,tested, and used. But the budoka kills his opponent, for to face another, there must be no other way. That is, if one competes as a budoka, one kills his opponent in his mind. The sparring makes no difference. One simply cuts down his opponent and keeps going. It is not a competition. THis lack of thrill makes for competitive sparring to become very foolish feeling. The competitive practitioner must lose all sense of competition and emotional attachment, even to himself/herself. Thus, the whole purpose of facing another person becomes moot. They are simply another opponent. One cannot "beat" one's opponent and do Budo. If it matters to you at all what the outcome of the sparring is, you cannot do budo. If you are simply performing a training task, without emotional attachment, then sparring becomes a tool for training. Obviously , few competitors would compete without the thrill and feeling of besting another person. In budo, we train to kill, and to survive. The two paths of competition and budo are mutually exclusive. That is not to say either is superior, and each has it's place. However, one should realize what one is training for and why. COmpetition is good in and of itself, and so is budo. The two are not compatible, however. Osu, WIld Bill ----------

Dear Sensei

I have some ideas to put forward for Summer Camp 97. Main stay of my suggestions are better organized nightly events, slide shows, lectures.... etc. This would put a cap on NIGHT PARTY MONSTERS to a limited degree.

Will the camp be at the same location ?? It is a shame that the swimming pool could not be rented.... there must be ar least a Dozen Certified Life Guards amoung our student / teacher gathering. I am a certified Coast Guard Instructor. A spalsh Party for one night, say Friday or Saturday for 2 or 3 hours would be great. Safety would be strictly enforced against horseplay in the pool.

Sing-a-longs, or a fire on the beach (with permit) would be great, and off campus. The Gym & weight room for lectures on proper lifting for Karate would be so easy to organize & very informative for the students.

Just some quick thoughts.... more later
Love to you & Susan
Bobby

Great ideas Bob. . . Everyone seems to like the Maritime Academy as a site, so for the time being, we will continue to have our camp there. I'll check on the use of the other facilities. Don't think this will be a problem. Beach party might be a problem. Lots of restrictions where fire is involved. Keep the ideas coming. GEM

Hello George:

I hope this note finds you and Susan doing well.

Could you please tell me when you will be starting up your 3rd Friday of the month workout up. I as well as some of my advanced students would like to attend, if we are still able to.

Could you please tell me the time, location, price of class, all information.

Thanks again for the summer camp. We had a great time, my students are already talking about going next year. I told them to start saving there money now....

Take care: Jay Sal

I'm holding off on the 3rd Friday Black Belt workouts for the time being. Most of the teachers who attend these classes can make my weekly Saturday Advanced Class in Newton. . . at least once a month! Additionally, I've been running regional seminars throughout North America on a regular basis for those seniors who cannot regularly attend my local classes. GEM

Perhaps something in here will be of interest to your readers. You may contact me at anne@alpha-advertising.com

I enjoyed your page.
Sincerely,

Anne Radke

Subject: Love Always Wins

It has been my privilage to be Lafayette Community Center's Martial Arts Instructor in Tallahassee, Florida, for over 3 years. Currently we have over 40 students ranging in age from 5 years old to 50 years old. We have beginning and advanced classes twice a week. The style and philosophy I teach is a style founded by Grand Master Gary Lee Baker, 9th Dan. The style is called UPKUDO which encompasses Taekwondo, Chinese Kempo, Goju Ryu and UPKUDO own unique style of championship tournament Karate fighting.

My students learn first discipline, respect for each other and themselves as well as focus. We use the foundation of love to build on. It is strongly emphasized to not use the dangerous techniques to harm others unless there is no other choice. And I am proud to say noone to my knowledge has used their martial arts knowledge to harm someone. Since some students have physical problems such as balance disorders, hearing loss, abnormal bone growth, and ADDS, I vary the teaching methods to allow everyone equal opportunity to growth and encourage a family of unity. Some parents join their children in classes. I have found all the parents to be supportive of their children.

Some of the children come from various backgrounds such as Chinese, Korean, Brazilian, and Israeli as well as American. We discuss the cultures in philosophical groups to broaden the minds of the students. UPKUDO International Karate Federation teaches their instructors the fundamentals of the martial arts such as Kata/Forms, Self Defense, Sport Tournament Point Fighting,Weapons, Philosophy and History. With love as the guiding force in addition to these fundamentals, I am proud to see many students doing better in school and at work, strengthened their relationships at home, and improved their self esteem.

Some of the ways we keep classes fun and interesting is to have movie nights watching a martial arts film at my house, honor pins for students for students to wear on their gis who make honor roll in school, stickers and little paper awards for small competition at classtime for such practices like who did the most kicks in a certain time frame. Sometimes in class, I let them judge katas, self defense and point fighting to sharpen their awareness with the pointcharts. This way they can become familiar with what judges are looking for. The ones who are not competitive in a physical way, I encourage writing articles and poetry on what karate means to them or something they feel is of value and are equally rewarded. This challenges them mentally.

The martial arts has something for everyone. Although each student learns something, it is I who learns the most. The students teach me how to be a better instructor. There is no greater reward than to look on the face of a student and see it shine with love, compassion and respect. Technique and winning are important but as my Grand Master always says: " Love always wins." At Lafayette we win.

Sifu Anne Radke

Great inspirational story which our readers should enjoy Anne. Thanks for sending it. BTW, are you related to any Radke from Hastings/St Paul, Minn? My maternal Grandfather was a Radke. GEM

Just learned of your Video Magazine on your web page. I am interested in some of them. I remember seeing old movies of Master Uechi at Charles Earle's dojo in Providence in 1970. I am an old sho-dan (#1407) who studied with Earle and Frank Gorman.

Please let me know how to order the vidoes.

Reply to: bullhill@valinet.com

Check out the videos in the Product Section of this site.

Thanks, Mr. Mattson, I got the videotape.

I have a question. How come the kata at Ryuyu Tomoyose's club are somewhat different than the way it is generally done in Okinawa. Their body positioning reminds me of the way the White Eyebrow Kung Fu guys perform their form. Which way is more "correct"? Do they still do their kata and technique the same way, or have they changed it since you folks first visited them?

The sparring section was interesting. Do you have any more old tapes showing the Okinawans sparring?

Thx. Mike.

Hmmmm... the age old question of "which move is correct?" I guess that is why many Uechi teachers and students are spending time exploring the new "Superempi" kata and other Fukien Chinese styles. I do know that the way my teacher, Ryuko Tomoyose taught me was quite different in emphasis, from what Master Kanei Uechi taught me. I don't believe we will ever know exactly how Kanbun Uechi learned the system in China, nor can we say it would be better than what we are doing today. I can say, however, that searching and exploring our system will make us better martial artist, regardless of the outcome of that search.

I do have more old film of sparring on Okinawa. It is mixed up with lots of other tapes clips, and will be a huge editing task. A job for a rainy day! GEM

Dear Sensei Mattson, Just a very quick question. I am unable to access "Regestered Users Information" in the roundtable section. There are numerous folks that I met at the Camp that have e-mail and whom I would like to contact. The error message mentions an inability to find a "kevin" file. Sincerely, John Ray

Quite a few people have contacted me about the on-going problems with the "Lets Talk" forum. I've been promised that Service is still working on the new Forum and will notify me as soon as a target date has been identified. GEM

Dear Mr. Mattson,

I have been interested in Uechi-ryu for some time (Sho-dan-ho in Order of Isshin Ryu), and am more than a little confused about the current situation (Shohei-ryu, etc.).

At your convenience, can you suggest a dojo that I might visit, which in your opinion bests represents Uechi-ryu in my area. I live in southern Delaware, and it appears that the closest dojo are in the Washington, DC and/or Baltimore area (2 - 2 1/2 hour drive). I do not mind traveling this distance, if it would enable me to get a good idea of what your style is like.

Thanks for your time and consideration,

Jeff Cook

Lots of great dojo in the Washington D.C. Virginia area. Check them out in the Dojo Listing. GEM

George: Thanks for the info. I am definitely a size 5, not a 6. If you have not done so put this info on the order entering page. My belt is about 6 to 8' too long. I am trying to decide if I should cut it in the middle and stitch it together less 8" or ar the end. I am supersticious about the former as it may cut the chi flow, and the latter would lop off the kanji character for my name. Any protocall on altering belts? Maybe I should just get a new one and save this one in case I ever get fat.

New subject- Some areas of the homepage are responding verrrrrry slow to inputs or otherwise. Sensei Glasheen is experiencing similar difficulty. Are the sites still undergoing modification?

Regards, Rich Castanet Richmond VA

I'm curious myself about any potential bad luck associated with cutting one's belt. Perhaps the same person who created the secret Uechi handshake has something to do with the rumor! The correct size (in inches) for all belts are now published in both the Products Section and on the new Order Form. Meanwhile, occasional slow response time on the Internet can be the fault of the website server, your server or a combination of both. Our server is continually upgrading its equipment, but during very busy periods, will be slow. The price of ever increasing interest in our Internet! GEM

Dear George

From August 14 - 18 th we had a 22 international summer camp in Slovenia. The guest instructor was Mr.. James Thompson from USA. The camp was attended by 60 practitioners from Slovenia, Croatia and Germany. Probably more information will be on our Internet page which is in forming stage almost a year.

Internet page : http://193.2.252.94/san/os-stran.htm

Davor Lovincic

I tried to reach your website a couple of time and was unsuccessful. Once it is up and running, I'll list it in the "Hotlinks" page. GEM

Take a gander at:
www.tsk.com

Interesting breakdowns of simple self defense with stills and video clips
noname!

I received this survey yesterday and thought it might be of interest. GEM

Survey of Black Belt costs and benefits
Version 3 sept 1994
Dakin Burdick Indiana University, Bloomington

------------------------------------------------------------------------

What follows is a survey of the costs and benefits of gaining a "black belt" at various schools both national and international. Not only is there wide variation in training costs, but also in the time required for the "black belt," the first plateau in training. Just for the record, the survey was first produced in Feb. 1991.

For the beginners out there, the variation in time required should not be a concern to you (unless you just want a cool belt ASAP). The variation in the number of years required for that first plateau is usually just a variation in the amount of dedication each instructor wants to see. A person who has been doing Taekwondo for 7 years may be a 3rd Dan while a person in some Karate schools may just be getting his 1st Dan, but their skill levels will be relatively similar.

Variation in training costs is more important than variation in time required. Some instructors consider their training a "holy mission" and will train for free, although they usually will train only a few students. Clubs and Community Classes are the next step up, and are still relatively cheap. Commercial Studios usually range from $40-50/month, with workouts up to 7 days per week. And, of course, there are the commercial studios run by famous martial artists (see entry #15, Alex Sternberg's studio in Queens). These may easily run $100+/month, especially if the head of the school is instructing (does anyone know how much Chuck Norris or Jhoon Rhee are charging for their services these days?).

Please send me either corrections or additions for the next listing. Send email to:
burdickd@silver.ucs.indiana.edu

N.B. The total training costs listed should include all costs until black belt, including testing fees for the lower ranks. Expenses for equipment or uniforms should not be included. If you can, please make sure the prices are up-to-date, or at least cite the year the prices are from.

TOTAL Test /- TRAINING -\ Cost Cost Time Style ($) ($) (years) Benefits Source -------------------------------------------------------------- Iaido 20 180 3 E 13 Jujutsu 25 1,800 6+ E 17 Karate, American 0 2,000 6-8 C,J,P 21 Karate, Goyu-ryu 0 1,500 4-5 11 Karate, Okinawan 0 1,700 5 J 19 Karate, Shorin-ryu 0(2) 3,105 5-7 E,F 3 Karate, Shotokan 0 0 7-9 1 Karate, Shotokan 10 360 2 7 Karate, Shotokan 200 3,500 4-6 9 Karate, Shotokan 100 4,580 4-5 B,C,H 15 Karate, Wado-ryu 200(1) 400 3-4 B,C,E 2 Karate, Wado-ryu 5 1,920 4 8 Kendo 20 1,500 5 C,D 8 Kung Fu, Ngor Chor 0 1,584 3 B,I 7 Kung Fu, San Soo 0 1,680 3-5 H 6 Kung Fu, Shaolin 200 620 3 B,H,I 23 Kung Fu, Shaolin 100 1,200 3-5 M,O 18 Kung Fu, Shaolin 200 2,500(5) 4 B,H,I,Q 23 Taekwondo 120 500 2-3 A,C,E,H,N 4 Taekwondo 95 ? 2-3 A,B,C,E,G 5 Taekwondo 100 350 4-5 A,B,C,M 10 Taekwondo, Moonlee 100(3) 550(3) 4-5 A,B,J 14 Taekwondo 140 ? 3 A,B,F 22 Taekwondo 1002 700(4) 5 B,C,H,M 16 Tang Soo Do 75 985 3 I 20 TKA 200 2,355 3-5 B,C,L 12

1. This included 1 wk accommodations at Snowdonia National Park in Wales. 2. This does not include certification fees for the organizations. 3. In Australian dollars. 4. This does not include testing fees for the lower ranks. 5. Training costs go down to $1,300 (about half) with contracts.

------------------------------------------------------------------------
Benefits/Requirements for Black Belts:

A = I.D. Card B = Belt, usually embroidered C = Certificate D = Teaching certificate costs extra, and is only awarded at the discretion of the organization. E = Association with national organization. F = Association with international organization. G = Magazine Subscription H = Free training for associate instructors I = Free specialized training J = Free training K = Annual dues increase with rank. L = Change in uniform (for Taekwondo, black trim on uniform) M = Uniform N = Dinner after test, usually at Chinese restaurant O = Must attend regular conditioning sessions P = Welcoming party for new black belt Q = Dinner after giving tests.

------------------------------------------------------------------------
Notes on the sources:

1. Bu toku kai, University of Kentucky: "We practice karate-do. Some would call it Shotokan, but as master Funakoshi was very opposed to a Shotokan 'style', we do not use a style name." Source: William K. Glunt, Math Dept., 5th Dan. <@s.ms.uky.edu:bud@ms.uky.edu> Wed Jan 23 22:20:29 1991

2. Highashi Karate Kai, affiliated with (I think) the English Karate Federation. Benefits include a certificate and a ceremonial belt. Source: Benjamin C. Legaspi legasba2@mentor.cc.purdue.edu Wed Jan 23 22:35:35 1991

3. Asian Martial Arts Studio, Ann Arbor, Michigan. Membership in the American Shudokan Association and International Martial Arts Federation. Rank is recognized by both Shorin-ryu karate-do and Shudokan karate-do systems. "we also have separate aikido and kung-fu programs that operate on the same basis, generally speaking." Source: Ben Vonk Ben_Vonk@ub.cc.umich.edu Wed Jan 23 23:47:14 1991

4. Indiana University Taekwondo Club, Bloomington, IN. Affiliated with the United Federation of Tae Kwon Do Instructors, a small American federation. The instructor, until this year, was Don Burns. Source: Dakin Burdick, 2nd dan burdickd@silver.ucs.indiana.edu

5. Taekwondo School, Tallahassee, FL: The school was an American Taekwondo Association (ATA) affiliate. The ATA is nationwide, but it is also linked to some schools in South America. Source: Kenneth A. Garnto, Supercomputer Computations Research Institute GARNTO@vsken.scri.fsu.edu Thu Jan 24 09:17:04 1991 to mail to him, try GARNTO@scri.fsu.edu

6. Peterson's International Kung Fu San Soo, San Diego, CA: The system is also called: Kung Fu Toy Lee Ho Fut Hung OR Topka San Soo. Source: Tod Kuykendall (tkuykendall@ucsd.edu) cs163wfn@sdcc10.ucsd.edu Thu Jan 24 13:37:04 1991

7. Reported for two schools: Shotokan Karate at the Univ. of South Alabama, Mobile, AL: It was taught as a continuing education course, and thus two tests were given: "if we enrolled in the class for credit, we had to pass a test given by the Sensei strictly for the purpose of reporting a grade for the report card. Although this test was very informal, I have never known anyone to pass this test, yet fail the formal belt rank test."

Universal Academy of Gor Chor Kung Fu, formerly Graham's Academy of Martial Arts, Mobile, AL. Source: Jeff Pipkins uunet!cpqhou!pipkinsj or cpqhou!pipkinsj@uunet.uu.net Thu Jan 24 17:00:34 1991

8. Reported for two schools: Wado Ryu Japan International Karate-do Center, Salt Lake City, UT. In 1984-1988, training would have run about $1,200.

Utah Kendo Dojo, Salt Lake City, UT. Jon also notes that although there was no testing fee (the $20 was for the certificate), they had to pay an instructor's plane fare. Annual dues for a shodan is about $12. Source: Jon Byrd jon@apollo.med.utah.edu Thu Jan 24 17:41:50 1991

9. Black Belt Academy, Woodbury Rd., Hicksville, NY 11801: The school also teaches Judo & Aikido. The Shotokan BB test costs $35, the belt & certificate cost $165. Source: Brian R. Poppenwimer brp102@rose.psu.edu Thu Jan 24 19:28:47 1991

10. American FreeStyle Tae Kwon Do Academy, Pennsville, NJ: The style taught was American Tae Kwon Do Moo Duk Kwan. Source: Glenn M. Brunette brunette@sjuphil.uucp 24 Jan 91 17:05:29 GMT

11. Goyuryu Karate (School name unknown), Duesseldorf, Federal Republic of Germany. Benefits: "You become eligible to participate at certain full contact tournaments." Source: Thomas Otake rcs61423@zach.fit.edu Fri Jan 25 09:37:49 1991

12. TKA (Taekwondo, Karate, Aikido), Chang School, Bridgeport, PA. Source: Michael Dobbins, Unisys Corp., Devon Engr. Offices tredysvr!dvnspc1!mdobbins@gvlv2.gvl.unisys.com Fri Jan 25 10:51:59 1991

13. Muso Shinden Ryu Iaido, West Los Angeles Kendo Dojo: Associated with the South California Iaido Federation, affiliated with both the U.S. Kendo Federation and the Zen Nihon Kendo Renmei. The certificate is $10, the test is $10. Black Belts are registered with the Zen Nihon Kendo Renmei. "Our minimum time between ranks are: shodan -> nidan 1 yr, nidan -> sandan 2 yr, sandan -> yondan 4 yr, & yondan -> godan 5 yr." Source: Al Bowers bowers@elxsi.dfrf.nasa.gov Fri Jan 25 15:08:35 1991

14. Moonlee Tae Kwon Do, Queensland, Australia. Source: Ross Milward James Cook University of North Queensland zlnem@marlin.jcu.edu.au 27 Jan 91 01:25:26 GMT

15. Shotokan Karate USA, Sensei Alex Sternberg, Queens Dojo, 1815 Ave M, Brooklyn N11210, (718) 253-3400. Prices were calculated at $90/month dojo fees for 4 years (total = $4,320) + testing fees (estimated at $260 total) to black belt (excluding black belt test).

"In 1985 I paid $50.00 for shodan (1st deg.) In 1987 I had the fee waived because I was no longer considered a junior instructor (as I was when I took my shodan exam).... I trained for two years in a community class that was tought by an instructor from what later became my Dojo. The cost was (I believe $4 a class) I trained for 6 months once a week, and after that 2x a week. One class a week was 2 1/2 hours (I took 2 consecutive classes after about a month of training but only paid for 1). The second class that was added for the year and a half period was 1 1/2 hours. I think I paid $40 a month when I started training at the dojo. This increased over the years to $50, though I dont know when. Now my dojo charges about $90 a month..... There are discounts if you pay for several months at a time. There were also fees for under black belt exams. I took 3 exams @ $15, 2 @ $20, 1@25 and 2 @ $35. The exams are now about 10 - 15 dollars more ea. now, and Black belt is $100.... There are no strings on the black belt. There is a rank called Shodan-ho which is given to a student who performs well enough for black belt but may need work in a single area.(provisional black belt) It is rarely used. Black belts do not get written certificates until a year later though. When I took my black belt exam the fee included a silk, embroidered, black belt from japan.(it was embroidered with my name and style). I compete all over (I've only left the country once, though I've competed in international tournaments in the USA, this is mostly b/c of cost, I had to finance all my trips personally). I am and have been a member of the following orgs. AAU, USA Karate Federation, United States Committee of Sports for Israel (Maccabiah). The trip to Israel was all expenses paid, with an open ticket. I also got a complete wardrobe; warmup, team jacket, etc." Source: David Bressler DJBQC@cunyvm.cuny.edu Wed Feb 6 01:47:26 1991

16. Tae Kwon Do, Nenows Dynesty, Palmerton, PA. Training cost does not include testing fees for lower ranks. Dojo fee = $45/month. Benefits include a "neat-o-poofigins belt and uniform" (Ed: I had to include that quote!). Source: SAS124@psuvm.psu.edu Mon Jan 28 16:09:00 1991

17. Kodenkan Dan Zan Ryu Jujitsu, Nibukan, Chico, CA. Black belts are registered with the A.J.J.F.. The instructor is Lamar Fisher, kudan (9th dan). Source: Jeff Meyers, sankyu (3rd kyu) jmeyers@ecst.csuchico.edu Sun Sep 27 02:46:18 1992

18. Shaolin Kung Fu, Chinese Shao-Lin Center, 514 El Paseo de Saratoga, San Jose, CA. The instructor is David Soard (from the Chinese Shao-Lin Center, Denver, CO). Source: Mikel Evins, 1st dan mikel@apple.com Sun Sep 27 23:28:51

19. Isshin Shorinji Ryu Okinawa Te, Academy of Martial Arts, Aurora YMCA, Aurora IL. The style is a hybrid form of karate derived from Isshin-ryu and Shorinji-ryu. The instructor is Thoams Heriaud. The fees were calculated $1,600 for non-YMCA-member's fees at $60/session for 6 sessions a year for five years, plus $70 in lower rank testing fees ($10 per test, with 7 kyu ranks). Source: Dave Carr, 2nd dan dccarr@cbnewssd.att.com or david.c.carr@att.com Mon Sep 28 07:30:44 1992

20. Tang Soo Do, Lanier Athletic Club, Cumming, GA. The instructor is Jim Williams. Training costs are calculated for club members: $20 per month plus testing fees for yellow belt ($20), two orange belt tests ($25 each), three green belt ranks ($30 each), and 3 ranks of red belt ($35 each). Non members would pay $35 per month for training, adding $540 to the cost of lower rank training. The black belt test price is an old one and may have gone up. Black belts trim their uniforms with black trim, as in many other Korean schools. Source: Matt Brandt, 1st kup matt@drefla.mese.com or matt%drefla.mese.com@mathcs.emory.edu Mon Sep 28 09:43:27 1992

21. American Karate, Arlington Karate, 5747 SW Green Oaks, Arlington, TX. Instructors are Clayton Johns & J. Pat Burleson. All lower rank tests cost $25 each. The school "used to belong to the AKBBA but it's pretty much died out." Black belt's have a one year probationary period where they must continue to work out regularly. Also, there are "some students who clean the studio in lieu of training fees. Assistant instructors (lower belts) get discounts on equipment and fees." Source: Lee Ann Rucker, 3rd dan lrucker.parcplace.com Mon Sep 28 16:28:08

22. WTF Taekwondo, J.W. Suh's Taekwondo, Campbell, CA. The instructor is Master J.W. Suh, and the school is associated with the World Taekwondo Federation (WTF). Superior athletes can get their black belt in 2.5-3 years; normal athletes take 3-4 years. Source: Ray Terry, 2nd Dan rterry@hpcupt1.cup.hp.com Mon Sep 28 17:32:59 1992

23. Reported for two groups: Northern Shaolin/Northern Praying Mantis Kung Fu, Wang's Martial Arts, 7211 FM 1960, #270, Humble, TX 77338. Master Yun-Yang Wang is the instructor, and black belt contracts are offered that cut the lower rank training costs about in half.

Texas A&M Kung Fu Club, College Station, TX: The instructor is Sifu Tye Botting. The charge is $30 per semester plus testing fees (tests are at the main school). The style is Northern Shaolin/Northern Praying Mantis Kung Fu, and the sifu's teacher was Yun-Yang Wang (see above). Source: Tye Botting, 2nd degree black sash warlock@pro-haven.cts.com or warlock@tamu.edu Thu Oct 1 21:42:07 1992

Hello George,

I wanted to ask you if you want to make a link to my homepage, which is about various japanese martial arts:

HOME OF THE SAMURAI http://homepage.cistron.nl/~avdhorst/
regards,
Rene van der Horst

You got it, Rene! I checked out your homepage and found it different and interesting. GEM

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