Building the 2015 list of Awardees for Master Ranks and Titles:

10 dan: Arthur Rabesa

9th dan: Henry Thom, 

8th dan: Gary W. Geddes, Enrico Paone, Sheldon Dunn, Victor Swinimer

7th dan: Harry Skeffington, , Justin Testa,

6th dan: Andrew Summerley,

Honors:

Hanshi-sei: Arthur Rabesa

Kyoshi: Harry Skeffington

Renshi: Andrew Summerley

2015 Achievement Award: Buzz Durkin

Please let me know if anyone has been overlooked. I also need all applications for 1-5th dan sent in to our International Test Administrator, Harry Skeffington ASAP. (hskeffington (at) gmail.com)

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)