Simon Lailey performing Superempi.

Simon Lailey discovered Superempi during his journey and studies in China. He introduced the kata to the rest of the world in the mid 90s during his visit to Boston and his interview with me, followed by his Summerfest seminars that year.

The interview and demonstrations were published in the new video magazine, issue # 6 in 1996 and the rest is history. Whether the kata is indeed the lost 4th form in Uechi-ryu will probably never be fully resolved, but for thousands of practitioners, the kata will continue to be practiced, studied and appreciated.

The videos were converted to digital a number of years ago and then forgotten. Bill Glasheen’s Superempi dvd was created a few years later and Bill did a great job “Uechi-sizing” some of the goju flavors from the lengthy set. During my recent housekeeping of memorabilia, the original dvd was discovered and selected to be the second offering for this series.

Besides the lengthy interview with Simon and his full speed and slow motion study of the kata, the dvd also contains an interesting commentary by me on the subject of kyu promotions. The material is presented in a two dvd package and has been upgraded with a table of contents and chapters.links. Click here to purchase.

I have been going through my DVD archives this week and discovered quite a few that you might wish to add to your collection. I will post one of these historic videos every week that I will offer for sale.

1985 WinterFest held on Okinawa

Over 100 teachers and students from around the world traveled to Okinawa for the first major, International gathering of Uechi-ryu participants to assemble on Okinawa for the purpose of training and celebrating with the senior instructors of our style. Grandmaster Kanei Uechi officiated, opened up the training session and participated in the week-long program.

As a spectacular ending to the event, the Uechi organization held their annual tournament and demonstrations as part of the historic week. There was a lot of film shot during the week and most was sent to me. The best of the films were edited into this DVD, which is now available in the Uechi-ryu store.
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Sensei Mattson. I hope this message reaches you. John Spencer said you would be able to put a link in your website directing people to our July 6-11 Koshukai at UCONN. The link can be had at http://www.UechiKarate.com

many thanks

Respectfully,

John Griffin

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These very special pins, with a screw-back, have been out of stock for many years. I discovered the original art work for these pins during a storage unit visit and decided to have them recreated in a new 1″ diameter size and a 3/8″ screw-post. (To ensure a secure attachment.)

Retail price, only $20 for both pins. Click here to order

Contact me for quantity pricing. (A great special occasion gift)

Uechi Ryu Black Belts,

Have you ever thought about taking the next step in your Uechi Ryu training and possibly opening your own Uechi Ryu school?

If you imagine having a large school or a small dojo,  the IUKF can help support and guide you in your dream of being a dojo owner. The IUKF was formed in 1975 for a multitude of reasons including assisting dojos in their business needs and teachings of the art of Uechi Ryu.

Grand Master George Mattson started teaching in Boston, MA in 1958. Along with being the first Uechi Ryu teacher in the United States, he quickly grew Mattson Academy into a thriving dojo business. Today, many of his senior students run their own schools all over the world.

The IUKF can help you grow your Uechi dojo or even start a new dojo from ground zero including providing structure, experience, ranking and many other tools that will enhance your school.

The following is a list of some of the many benefits and reasons why you should consider aligning your dojo with the IUKF.

• The IUKF is headed and lead by Grand Master George E  Mattson, Tenth Dan.

• The IUKF is a world-wide organization that consists of regional Uechi-Ryu dojos that conduct black belt grading twice a year.

• IUKF Dojo Committee, a committee of dojo owners.

• Grading and testing is based on International standards in the Black Belt Test Guide interpreted and clarified by the IUKF Rules Committee.

• Two international  training camps held every year with master ranking and testing.

• Regional training.

• Both internationally recognized Kyu and Dan certificates.

• Uechi Ryu title certificates.

• Monthly newsletters.

• Online monthly trainings.

• Online Teacher meetings.

For more information go to www.IUKF.net and contact Chairman of IUKF,  Henry Thom,

I wish to thank all of you who attended and supported this year’s martial arts SummerFest making it one of the most successful events since it was first created in 1983. Also thanks to all of you who sent me email expressing how much you learn and enjoyed the event. Certainly one of the most memorable email was from Lisa Tanner and I hope she won’t mind the reprinting of here. Perhaps some of you who elected not to attend camp this year will change your mind after reading Lisa had to say about she felt about attending

Dearest Sensei Mattson

Lisa Tanner on right.

I want to thank you again for creating such a wonderful experience thru Summerfest. We began our journey this year with mixed emotions; excited to once again have the opportunity to learn from such great martial artists, but with heavy hearts because our own leader was not joining us. Victor sensei has guided us to become part of a bigger Uechi Ryu community outside of our home province of Nova Scotia, and we are forever grateful that he has shown us the way…this is not just figuratively speaking…last year he literally showed us the way! he got us to Plymouth without getting lost and I cannot say the same about my cars GPS!

The weekend went by far too quickly and as we drove home Sunday and Monday I had time to reflect, I seriously believe I suffer from P.A.E.D (post awesomeness enlightenment disorder) because with each small task I was doing a phrase, Idea, or lesson will come back to me: “find the void”, in every void there’s an attack waiting”, “create a void”, “effortless effort”, “affirmative action” are only just a few.

Then there is the camaraderie…what can I say, It is displayed everywhere, on the field or in the lounge and even followed us to the sandwich shop, old friendships growing stronger and new ones setting seed.

I enjoyed how the new format played out, It allowed for extra time at a particular station, to me this was very relevant as I had Harry’s attention for kata exploration 30 minutes longer! I have been working on Seiru for over a year now and just wasn’t getting inspired by its movements, Harry peeled that kata like an onion helping me to see each layer and its relevance to the whole “onion”.

My time spent with you on Sunday morning prompted me to re-examine why I feel the need to “force’ breathing or strike too quickly (light bulb moment…is very different than swiftly with purpose to which I confused speed) as a smaller framed lady martial artist, I think I had preconceived the need to prove or show my strength (light bulb moment once again…the only person needing to know my strength is me…feeling it really is better than showing it).

As you can see, Summerfest is a journey of self discovery for me and finding out my roots in this art. The only way I could calm the overwhelming excitement on the drive home (two days and nineteen hours of driving) was to sit in the back seat and write my thoughts; that when read aloud to Patty and Kristin were identified as poetry…another moment of self discovery because when they exclaimed “we didn’t know you wrote poetry!” my response was “me neither”.

I am sending them along for your enjoyment, however I made Patty and Kristen promise me not to laugh when I read them aloud from the backseat of my VW, with dirty jungleplex feet and still wearing last nights make-up (traveling is not glamorous). Sensei Mattson…I give you permission to laugh, because i believe your heart laughs withe people and not at them!

Sincerely yours in budo
Lisa Tanner

P.S living, breathing, and BEING in sanchin, that is the epitome of our being. I may have never been to Okinawa, but I’ve been to Plymouth Ma, where many great masters gather. xo