Uechi-ryu Martial Arts | Karate

July 6, 2015

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)

Articles of Interest, Newsflash

Permanent link to this article: https://uechi-ryu.com/masters-celebration-update/

Jul 05 2015

Rank-Titles Registry from 1958

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July 5, 2015

Last year I decided to expand on the Uechi-ryu Rank and Titles Registry to include all the promotions issued to North American practitioners since 1958. IUKF hired an associate, Diane Foggin, to take the massive collection of promotion application saved since since that date. Diane announced yesterday that she completed processing all the documents since February, 1974 and was beginning to work on the Okinawa Soke registrations dated June, 1958 through 1974.

Diane has agreed to continue listing any new or unrecorded promotions. Information can be found on the registry, which can be accessed by clicking on the photograph. And. . . a picture of you holding your certificate can be added to your listing, at no additional fee.

Summer/Winter Fests, SummerFest

Permanent link to this article: https://uechi-ryu.com/rank-titles-registry-from-1958/

Jun 07 2015

New Summerfest Presenters!!!

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June 7, 2015

Sensei Rick Bortolotti”

“I’d like to share the Seisan Bo Kata. Developed by Sensei David Mott, it utilizes Uechi-Ryu body mechanics and stances, including the Seisan jump with Bo. As the Taji Classics state, “where my body stops, my intent continues, where my intent stops spirit continues”, working with the bo is a great way to explore projection of energy- and it’s a fantastic workout!”

Sensei John Felipe:

I would like to Show Case ” Drills and Skills to improve your Martial Arts.

Chairman's Corner, Summer/Winter Fests, SummerFest

Permanent link to this article: https://uechi-ryu.com/new-summerfest-presenters/

Jun 01 2015

Summerfest 2015

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June 1, 2015

Wow. . . June already! Time to begin working on Summerfest for this year. I’ve been receiving lots of calls and e-mail from teachers and students who are attending and asking for more information regarding scheduling, Master Celebration and other activities.

Summerfest has been running successfully since 1983 and during this time, has evolved through a number of minor changes and locations. Our home in Plymouth, MA at the “JunglePlex” has turned out to be a perfect location and facility.

Although I receive many suggestions and requests regarding the best way to feature upwards of fifty seminars and many “presenters” within a weekend, I’ve found that our current method, which we have been doing for over twenty years, is the most interesting and workable way to give both our presenters and participants the most opportunities to explore the wonderful world of Uechi-ryu karate as practiced by the most innovative and traditionally minded martial artist in the world.

Over the years we have had the opportunity to be taught by respected Okinawan Uechi-ryu masters, including Grandmasters Kanei Uechi, Kansei Uechi and Ryuko Tomoyose.

Summerfest 1984 opened up an important relationship with Mainland China and for many years presenters from China honored us by attending and teaching seminars.

Additionally, we have been honored by respected specialist in both traditional martial arts that are closely related to Uechi-ryu in techniques, mindset and self-defense methods. Many of martial art superstars like Roy Bedard, Rory Miller, Darin Yee, Van Canna, Art Rabesa, Buzz Durkin, Jim Maloney, John Spencer, Bob Bethoney, Robb Buckland, Raffi Derdarian, Henry Thom, Bill Glasheen, Bruce Witherell, John Hassell, Peter Blackman, Victor Swinimer and new/er presenters like John Hwee, Tracy Rose and many others, have attended and taught at many Summerfests.

This year we are expecting many participants and a couple of new presenters from Canada.As we get photos and seminar information I will be posting them here and in the Summerfest website.

Please register early and talk up Summerfest at your dojo. We would like 2015 to be the biggest and best Summerfest ever. .

best,

Permanent link to this article: https://uechi-ryu.com/summerfest-2015/

May 14 2015

Historic Superempi Interview & Demo

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May 14, 2015

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.

Permanent link to this article: https://uechi-ryu.com/historic-superempi-interview-demo/

May 06 2015

Historic DVD Archives. . .

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May 6, 2015

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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Permanent link to this article: https://uechi-ryu.com/historic-dvd-archives/

Mar 23 2015

July 6-11 Koshukai

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Read the rest of this entry »

March 23, 2015

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

PR Director's Corner, Tournaments

Permanent link to this article: https://uechi-ryu.com/5380/

Feb 23 2015

Uechi-ryu Karate Championship Series

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February 23, 2015

Greetings Brothers and Sisters of Uechi-Ryu,

I am happy to announce the anticipated Uechi-Ryu Karate Championship Series which our students have come to enjoy will resume this year 2015. The anticipated dates are all Saturdays, April 11, June 13 and October 3. I use the word anticipated because although the venue has approved these dates, the manager still have to follow protocol and announce these date to their committee. Sensei Len Testa and I have also decided to start all 3 tournaments at 1pm. This would allow our competitors to sleep late on a week end and have lunch prior to the start of the events. I remembered many of the competitors being hungry while waiting for kumite. No one wants to see their little ninjas hungry and uncomfortable.

The venue for all 3 tournaments will be held at The Natick Senior Center. The address is 117 E. Central Street, Natick, MA 01760. We chose this venue because of its central location to many of the dojos who have supported this tournament series in the past. And a single, familiar location makes it easier for all our competitors, parents and judges. It is certainly an easier ride for our central, western and northern dojos. Tournament fees will be announced when our posters and applications are sent out. Understanding the condition of our economy, we are trying to keep all fees as low as possible. Very possibly lower then entry fees of the past.

The awards night will be held on October 17^th, at the China Pearl located at 237 Quincy Avenue, Quincy, MA 02169. The award night tickets will be $30 per person. This includes the presentation of the championship trophies, kata and weapon performances from our champions and a 6 course meal. Each table will seat 10 people. All award tickets must be purchased in advance. A $20 discount will available for “dojo tables”. Instead of individuals from your dojo purchasing seats and sending in their checks to me, the dojo can send in $280 per table “which seats 10” and arrange their own seating and guarantee his/her dojo students and parents will sit together. If there are parents, students or relatives who you cannot fit in your tables ordered, they will have to pay $30 and we will assign them to other tables where we have room.

Thank you again for being so patient with us. Let’s get ready for a great year in Uechi-Ryu.

Darin Yee

Permanent link to this article: https://uechi-ryu.com/uechi-ryu-karate-championship-series/

Nov 11 2014

New Belt Pins – Available NOW!

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November 11, 2014

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)

Articles of Interest, George Mattson's Corner, I.U.K.F., IUKF Member Section, Newsflash, Titles Projects

Permanent link to this article: https://uechi-ryu.com/new-belt-pins-available-soon/

Oct 30 2014

Rank, Stripes and Titles

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For years, Uechi practitioners were satisfied with the gold stripes representing the titles of Renshi, Kyoshi and Hanshi. At one time, a board of Okinawa grandmasters awarded these titles. Kiyohide Shinjo and I were two of the first recipients of the Renshi gold stripe after being interviewed and tested by one of the Titles committee board member.

October 30, 2014

The practice ended shortly after it begun, for unknown reasons. IUKF renewed the process and formed a board to monitor and award the titles and gold stripes.

For the other Uechi organizations, the stripes didn’t represent anything other than the awarding of a master rank. And since the original purpose of the stripes didn’t have anything to do with rank, there was lots of confusion regarding how to divide three stripes into 5 ranks. Hence the logical conclusion was to simply sew on a stripe for every master rank.

This confusion over the purpose of the stripes was brought up at a recent IUKF board meeting and the consensus was that since the stripes has lost any relationship to the titles of Renshi, Kyoshi and Hanshi, IUKF should no longer associate the stripes with the titles.

I agreed with the decision of the board and beginning November 1, 2014, belt stripes will only represent the master ranking of 6th – 10th degree black belts.

The titles program will continue to exist in its present form. The board is considering issuing a special certificate and award that will replace the gold bar on belts.

Train often and train smart. . .

best, George