Okinawan Uechi-ryu Karate – At Home!

Join the Mattson Academy and train with Grandmaster George E. Mattson on a regular basis. How much you train is up to you and will be based on the goals you set. If you belong to a dojo and have a teacher, Mattson sensei will act in the capacity of a “coach”. He will help …

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Let’s examine our Kata & Bunkai!

Point of view from Sensei Lee Adams! Presentation topic for Winterfest, 2021 ================ The COVID-19 pandemic and the reduction in dojo time has given me the opportunity to research more of what is presented via social media outlets, many uploaded videos and blogs showing Kata’s and bunkai based around the presenters own understanding or interpretation, …

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Unsoku – A foot movement exercise that can be used as a warm up or as training tool for Tai Sabaki

By Lee Adams Good avoidance (Tai Sabaki) is often discussed at seminars and in the dojo, however when we get to training our 2 person kumite drills this all seems to go out of the window and we are back using linear movements, not to mention the lack of centre and correct Maai. Unsoku ( …

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Lee Adams Appointed Chairman BAA

From October 2020 I will be assuming the role of Chairman of the British Aikido Association, The BAA was established in 1966, one year before the Japan Aikido Association so is recognised as the oldest official Aikido association in the world, although primarily supporting Tomiki Aikido the BAA today is the Association of choice for …

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President Darin Yee of IUKF 2019 Visit to Honolulu Uechi-ryu Karate-do Club

November 14, 2019 In the Hawaiian Language, the word “ALOHA” mostly functions as a salutation and a greeting. But the word actually conveys a deeper sense of meaning, which the locals expound upon, by breaking the individual letters down into other Hawaiian terms: A – Akahai: Kindness, expressed with tenderness L – Lokahi: Unity, expressed …

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Okinawan Uechi-ryu Karate – At Home!Let’s examine our Kata & Bunkai!Unsoku – A foot movement exercise that can be used as a warm up or as training tool for Tai SabakiLee Adams Appointed Chairman BAAPresident Darin Yee of IUKF 2019 Visit to Honolulu Uechi-ryu Karate-do Club

Oct 18 2012

Quarterly Workout Schedule

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PR Director's Corner

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October 18, 2012

      Just a short note to inform you we have arranged for quarterly workouts for our Uechi-Ryu Family.  These workouts will be 3 hours and hosted by dojo owners graciously willing to take on the task for their fellow Uechi-Ryu practitioners. The dojo owner will lead with warm ups and the rest is up to him/her.  Sometimes a 3 hour workout is a little much for 1 session; each dojo owner will be responsible to invite another sensei to teach the next hour and a half.  He/She will also be in charge of inviting the guest instructor.  That way they are in control of what is taught and who is teaching it.  Afterwards, maybe the host dojo can recommend a good restaurant nearby for all to gather for a drink or some food.

Saturday, December 1st would be the first and final workout of 2012.  Only one workout this year but it’s a good beginning.  As the Jungleplex is usually very busy in December, I am asking if Pat Saunders is willing to be our gracious hostess for this year.  Pat is a very good facilitator and I’m certain her workout is destined for success.

The first Uechi-Ryu workout in 2013 will be on March 9th.  I will be asking Vinny C. and Paul J. if the Hut would host this one because there are so many great martial artist there and I’ve always respected both of them for their knowledge, skills and ethics for hard work.

Our second Uechi-Ryu workout will be in May 18th at the Jungleplex by Darin Yee.  I can’t expect to ask other to do their part if I don’t own up to my end.  My guest instructor will be Gary Wong.  As I will be demonstrating the connection between our Uechi-Ryu and the different systems of Chinese Kung-fu, Gary Wong is as knowledgeable as anyone.

The third workout will be on July 20th and could be held in Plymouth, NH as Christian Maine and his brother Brett studied a lot of judo and jujitsu and has incorporated much of their training in their teaching.  NH is not a bad ride.  I drive up there fromPlymouth,MA to work out with Christian about 4 to 5 times a year.  Christian reciprocates by driving to my dojo about the same amount of times each year.  As this will be the summer, NH is beautiful that time of the year.

The last and final workout for 2013 may be in Rhode Islandon November 23rd hosted by Henry Tow and his student James Nuzzo.  Henry Tow has been studying Uechi-Ryu since 1967.  After all these years, Henry has not only seen a lot but done a lot of very interesting things.  Jim Nuzzo is very active in the martial arts.  He recently opened a dojo inRhode Island and I hear it is beautiful and going great.

As there are many Uechi-Ryu people in all our neighboring states, I would like to be fair and ask anyone wishing to host a workout, please send me an email stating who you are and where you would like to host this event.  Please be informed host rank is of no consequence.  We respect everyone and all that they practice.  Sharing knowledge will give each of us a better understanding of on another.

I would also like to state organizational affiliations are again of no consequence.  All Uechi-Ryu people who live by a code of honor are considered family.  The more we workout with each other, the more we realize there are no boundaries between us.

 

Lastly I want to mention there will be a mat fee of $15 per person as some of the dojo owners may need or want to rent a larger space to house all the participants.  I will send out simple forms for anyone interested in working out or hosting a workout through email.  If anyone by chance hears about these workouts and interested in participating or hosting a workout, please send me an email darinyee@hotmail.com and I will certainly keep you in the loop.

Brotherhood is what will keep our Uechi-Ryu family strong.  Please feel free to invite any and all Uechi-Ryu people you know to attend with you.  All respectable and honorable Uechi-Ryu practitioners are welcome.  If you do not belong to any organization, you are still welcome.  These will be political free workouts where the emphasis is on getting a good sweat and meeting great people.

Also be informed the listing could change due to unforeseen detours.  If that be any changes, I believe Christian Maine will be contacting you to keep you informed.  I want to thank Christian Maine as he has volunteered to be the point person and manager for these quarterly workouts.

Darin Yee

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Oct 16 2012

Why IUKF???

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George Mattson's Corner, I.U.K.F.

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October 16, 2012

Why belong to IUKF?

GEMattson at Super Summer Semminars 2012

Students and teachers join because they wish to support IUKF’s efforts to provide a members orientated website, conference rooms, activities, workouts and timely communicated newsletters that keep them up-to-date in happenings related to the Uechi-ryu world.

Lets explore another benefit. . . .

What few people realize, is that the Mattson Academy, back in the 1960s,70s, 80s and 90s, was a successful and thriving Dojo that was in the forefront of teaching the very finest martial arts while being an innovator in marketing and administration of a successful Dojo. At one time I had over 500 active students training at the Boston Dojo.

My teaching programs and business management experiments were copied and improved upon by many of today’s very successful Dojo. Those of you who read my new book learned about my ups and downs during this period of time and how “burnout” can even be a problem for martial art teachers.

Since then, I’ve been teaching mostly as a hobby and for my own personal enjoyment. I’ve been following the growth of the martial arts business world and am not surprised that many of my early marketing concepts have been validated and successfully implemented during the last 20 years.

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Oct 10 2012

1st regional workout scheduled for December 1st, 2012:

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Seminars

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October 10, 2012

1st regional workout scheduled for December 1st, 2012:

Pat Saunders performing Sanchin

In the spirit of what the IUKF is trying to accomplish with these regional workouts I would like to do the following:

  • Intense warm-up
  • Kata
  • Create a bunkai by taking one set of techniques (or combos) at a time and splitting people out in groups to work together to create an interpretation of the moves while thinking out-side-of-the-box.  Then do a ‘show-N-tell’ and let the entire group vote on the best one which will then be taught to everyone.  Keep doing this for the entire kata.  Video tape and create a CD giving everyone at the regional workout credit for it’s creations (in the spirit of uniting this group).

It can be done.  I would need to have everyone sign a model release form though.  I would also like everyone to sign a release form.

Best,
Pat

Pat Saunders

Karate Do, LLC – formerly the Stow Martial Arts Center
117 Great Road
Stow Shopping Center
Stow, MA 01775
978-897-5900

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Sep 28 2012

Dues are Due!

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Membership Director's Corner

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September 28, 2012

DUES R DUE

David Berndt, Membership Director

It’s that time of the year when I sit down for hours and hand write invoices for membership dues for IUKF/SCMAA. Not being very computer literate, in spite of Sensei Mattson’s guidance and throwing his hands up, I do this ritual a couple times a year.
I try to cycle the due dates for every few months for my hands and eyes to recover.

Over the course of the year I come into contact with members for various reasons, who ask, “why do we pay dues?” What do we get?

While that’s a good question, even more surprising is the fact, that many don’t even look at the IUKF section on the uechi-ryu.com web site to see what they do get.

Originally your dues were a way for you to receive a discount on your Dan certificate fee. Saving you $50 on this alone, more than made up for the $35 yearly fee. Sensei Mattson also provided a discount to IUKF members for the Summer and Winter Fest camps. Again, a savings equal to or better than your dues payment.

And, if you purchased books or training videos, he also passed a savings to Members.

But now, IUKF is taking even more responsibility on the monthly maintenance and updates on the Uechi-ryu site itself. You may not even think about it, but all the Forums and the people who host them or write in to them, are able to do it free. While it is free to use, it isn’t free for its mere existence. Your Uechi-ryu site has an average of over 700,000 hits per month, one of the most visited martial arts web sites in the world, and to keep it that way, people work on its image constantly. It’s not free.

Your membership also provides a data base of Dojos around the world, who subscribe, regardless of affiliations, and a Black Belt Registry to list members and non –members certifications. A data base that adds legitimacy to your Rank. This data base is maintained, voluntarily, by David Kahn. He is always available to post your current promotions and titles, without fail. Where else can you go to see someone’s heritage and their years of experience? Of course now, you must be a member in good standing for a year, in order to receive the Honorarium Titles, such as Shihan, Renshi, etc.

And of course, with your Membership, you receive the IUKF embroidered patch and membership certificates, for Kyu and Dan ranks. The IUKF Passport is also a popular item to keep as a diary of promotions, seminars and visiting sensei’s from all the Arts. All of the materials you receive are individually processed personally, and many times with several hours a week, volunteered.

So the next time you get an invoice for dues, or you are asked to join, please remember what goes on behind the IUKF scenes.

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Sep 25 2012

Just What is Uechi-ryu?

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Chairman's Corner

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September 25, 2012

Uechi Ryu Karate Do

John Felipe & West Alexander

Uechi Ryu Karate is a family style that comes from Okinawa but its roots are in Southern China in the Fuzhou region of Fujian province.  It was shortly before the turn of the 20th century that the system’s originator Kanbun Uechi spent approximately 13 years in Southern mainland China, where he apprenticed himself to Zhou Zi He who was a master herbalist and master of five martial art styles.  For 13 years Kanbun Uechi learned Tiger, Dragon and Crane styles.  After receiving his teaching certificate he taught in China for a few years, later making his way back to Japan, and Okinawa.  The heart of his teachings which remains to this day are three forms called Sanchin, Seisan, and Sanseiryu.  After his death, his son Kanei Uechi added five additional bridging kata leaving today’s style with a total of eight forms.

Uechi Ryu is a combat system, rather than a sports oriented style.  Virtually all hand and foot technique’s contained within the forms use pointed weapons and open hand techniques called Kaisho.  The reason for this is that the system evolved for self-preservation and militia-related purposes, with its goal self-preservation in adverse circumstances.  Its kicks are low, stances upright, stability a premium.  It’s a close-in style wherein the opponent’s defenses are breached to allow fighting from one arm to grappling distance.  For this reason it’s often called “telephone booth” karate.  Another attribute of the system is its emphasis on grabbing and striking, pulling the opponent inward while the strike is extended powerfully outward.  Emphasis is on knowledgeable striking, rather than striking for its own sake.  Targets of opportunity depend on openings given or created, but they are chosen by their chance to be “fight-enders”.

Within Uechi Ryu as well as other styles there are fight-interrupters and fight-enders. Interrupter’s can be used as part of an incremental or sequential sequence of techniques used to incapacitate and defeat the attacker.  However it’s critically important when facing multiple attackers or one with a weapon for the unarmed practitioner to be able to reliably defend themself.  This can be done only if you have hardened weapons, knowledge of striking points and the ability to access vulnerable points accurately, with sufficient force.  Uechi provides the curriculum and it’s up to the student to study with proper information, intention and intensity to make it a reality!

The eyes, the windpipe and the male external genitalia are common among other points that that are difficult for the attacker to condition, and include the carotid sinus and the brachial plexus in the neck, the femoral artery, vein and nerve as each enters the thigh, and exit above the knee.  The fascia lata of the thigh, the median and radial nerves of the upper extremity are also important for disabling the attacker, and for control.  Striking the medulla oblongata and midbrain is a fight-ender resulting in incapacitation and unconsciousness of the attacker.  It uses minimal concussive and rotational force and is easily applied, and without warning from within Sanchin arm position, at very close range without windup or chambering.  All techniques are shot from wherever the Uechika finds themself, and this is most often upright within Sanchin stance.  The expanding learning of the Uechi canon never ends, providing all students regardless of rank, with a never-ending course of fascinating material and unfolding awareness.

Paul Haydu
Jerry McDonald
San Diego Uechi Ryu

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Aug 26 2012

Become an Author on Uechi-ryu.com!!

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How Do I. . .

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August 26, 2012

If you would like to post articles, seminar information, tournament information or would like to add a comment to an existing article, please click on this link to learn how this can be easily accomplished:

 

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Aug 12 2012

New Milestones for Uechi-ryu

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George Mattson's Corner

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August 12, 2012

I forgot when I created the first martial art website. It was quite primitive to be sure, but I realized the internet was something that I should explore and make part of the Uechi-ryu community and I was eager to become part of that group of pioneers who experimented with this technology.

During those years my web creations took many forms. I actually enjoyed playing around with the newest and most creative methods of communicating with the martial art world. Today marks another milestone in the Uechi-ryu website which includes newer and easier way to manage the site, enabling more of my friends and associates to contribute directly to the site’s content.

This month (August, 2012) also marks the 30th anniversary of my Martial Art SummerFest! We celebrated this occasion with a record number of senior Uechi practitioners attending and a Masters Celebration with a record number of awardees.

Without my knowledge, Susan and my friends decided that they should combine celebrating the SummerFest anniversary with my 75th birthday, which doesn’t happen formally until September 12th. Allan Azoff decided that a dual celebration deserved a king-size cake and brought one to the post Masters Celebration party.

Although I fully expect to live another 50 years, I have decided to share more of the work and responsibilities of IUKF and other martial art activities to others. In addition to creating a hard working Board of Advisors in 2000, headed by Dr. Paul Haydu, I’ve just appointed Darin Yee as Vice President of IUKF. As his first assignment, I asked him to appoint a new committee, in charge of Titles and Awards.This committee, headed up by Dr. Joan Neidi and Jim Witherell, approved three titles for 2012.

I hope you enjoy the new website and will contribute to it whenever possible.

Lets work together and enjoy the exciting future ahead for Uechi-ryu.

George E. Mattson
President, IUKF

 

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Aug 11 2012

Is Body Conditioning Karate’s Lost Art?

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Healthy Lifestyle, Submitted by Other Authors

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August 11, 2012

by George Chaplin

Copyright remains the property of: George Chaplin, C/O Dr. N. G. Jablonski, Dept. of Anthropology, California Academy of Sciences, Golden Gate Park, San Francisco. CA 94118 – 4599 U.S.A email: njablonsk.cal.org.
Biographical Details George Chaplin is an Uechi Ryu Karate Do Yon Dan, and has taught and practiced karate in Hong Kong and Perth Western Australia. He was registered at Futenma Dojo where he trained with Grandmaster Kanei Uechi, and has spent a total of one year studying on Okinawa. He spent five years as Chief Instructor of the Hong Kong Dojo with Mr. Robert Campbell Renshi who was Senior Instructor and head of the branch. He has recently moved to San Francisco. .

Introduction:

This article is offered to the audience with the hope that it will inspire further discussion about the topic of conditioning. Here conditioning refers to the body’s accommodation to getting hit and not getting bruised. It does not mean physical or cardio-vascular conditioning. It is an attempt to explain the observation that conditioning takes place. It may or may not be the answer and although the medical implications are pondered by the author, he must point out from the start that he has no medical training.
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Aug 08 2012

More SummerFest Comments

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PR Director's Corner

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August 8, 2012

This year’s SummerFest is being featured in quite a few FaceBook posts, along with really great pictures from last weekend’s event. Just received this note from IUKF Vice President, Darin Yee. . .

 

Hi George,

Just a quick note to tell you how much my students and I enjoyed your 2012 summer fest.  I’ve been involved these last 13 years and realized I should have been involved for the last 30.

We had a lot of exciting and informative teachers demonstrating a lot of effective, innovative and new things for everyone to experience.  I’ve been involved in the study of martial arts for over 53 years and was introduced to many new looks at how things can be done.  Instructors like Rory and Bucky adds a lot of input that compliments a lot of what I’ve done and taught for many years.

Paul Haydu was teaching a lot of movement involving essential body dynamics.  If more instructors understand and teach all the things Dr. Haydu was teaching, their students could possible perform stronger and better kata.  I personally look forward to working out with Paul Haydu again.

The most enjoyable part of this week was the opportunity to rekindle old friendships and to meet our new generation of karate greats who are going to carry the torch of Uechi-Ryu Karate here in America.  I felt energized to think I can and might have in some way help shape the next generation.

We had another great success with Jr. Fest.  We had children ageing from 4 years old to 16 years old.  I’ve told the older children they could choose to join the adults rather then work out with the younger children.  I was told they rater be with the younger group which was alright with me.  We had one 4 year old, two 5 year old and five 6year with us.  I was very surprised they all lasted the full 7 hours and was disappointed our session was over at 4pm.

A special thanks goes out to Pat Saunders from the Stow Martial Arts Karate Do for being such an incredible presence and leading so many of the drills, exercises and games.  She is such a phenomenal organizer and facilitator.  The IUKF is very fortunate to have dedicated members like her.

I also like to thank Gary Wong, Sam Balch, Jordan Littman, Brianna McCarthy, Melisa McCarthy and Joy Tierney from The Budokan Martial Arts dojo; Russ Chase from the Brockton Uechi Karate Dojo and all who has help with making this Jr. Fest something to look forwards to next year.

As I’ve mentioned already, I was very surprised when the littlest ones were the most disappointed after 7 long hours of activities.  Perhaps we should consider taking a separate picture of the children in Jr. Fest for next year and give them their own little acknowledgement.

Darin Yee

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Jun 29 2012

Three Conflicts: Three treasures

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Articles of Interest

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June 29, 2012

Three Conflicts: Three treasures

David Mott
Cold Mountain Dojo

Probably most, if not all, of us have heard that Sanchin Kata translates as Three Conflicts.  And  we have certainly heard that “all is in Sanchin”, as though the key to unlocking the mysteries of Uechi-ryu is simply in practicing that very basic but all inclusive kata.  Usually, at some point, we may wonder if that’s really true, if it’s possible to become a master through performing those rather simple repetitions of three steps and arm strikes forward, turn and repeat, turn back forward and repeat, and so forth.  It’s a fairly generic and limited set of movements, and, while they form the basis for many of the movements that follow in the other Kata, they hardly seem sufficient on their own.  So to what does “all is in Sanchin” refer ?  I suggest that we remember the Three Conflicts.

What are the Three Conflicts?  One of the original symbols of Uechi-ryu, the three interlocking tear drops, offers an elegant answer.  Whatever the conflicts are, it is clear from the symbol that they form a whole.  Taking that knowledge a step further, what appears to be conflicting can offer resolution in wholeness and through integration.   One of the basic series of three conflicts is Form/Speed/Power.  This is the domain of the physical, an important domain.  However, an overemphasis on one of those aspects usually occurs to the detriment of the others.

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