Uechi Ryū

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Uechi Ryū (上地流 — Japanese for "Way of Uechi" or "School of Uechi") is one of the four traditional styles of Okinawan karate. The founder of Uechi Ryū was Kanbun Uechi (1877-1948), an Okinawan who went to Fuzhou in Fukien Province, China to study martial arts when he was 20 years old. ^[1]

1 Early history
2 Kata
3 Ranks
4 Weapons
5 Additional Training Elements
6 Uechi Ryū Today
7 Major Styles Originating in Uechi
8 Noted Dojos
9 References
10 See also

[edit] Early history

Kanbun Uechi studied Pangai-noon (half-hard, half-soft) Kung Fu under Shushiwa, the leading figure of Chinese Nanpa Shorin-ken at the time, in the Fukien province of mainland China in the late 1800's and early 1900's. After 10 years of study under Shushiwa, Kanbun Uechi opened his own school in the Nanching province. Two years later, Kanbun Uechi returned to Okinawa, resolved never to teach again because one of his Chinese students had killed a neighbor with an open-hand technique in a dispute over land irrigation. It was while working as a janitor that he was persuaded by a co-worker, Ryuyu Tomoyose, to teach again after Uechi was first convinced to show Tomoyose ways of defending against different attacks. His confidence as a teacher restored, Kanbun Uechi, with the help of Ryuyu Tomoyose, moved to Wakayama City, Wakayama Prefecture, where in 1925 he established the Institute of Pangainun-ryū (half-hard and soft) Todi-jutsu, and opened a dojo to the public. His Okinawan students eventually renamed the system in 1940 to "Uechi Ryū".

Kanbun Uechi's son, Kanei Uechi, taught the style at the Futenma City Dojo, Okinawa, and was considered the first Okinawan to sanction the teaching to foreigners. One of Kanei's senior students, Ryuko Tomoyose, taught a young American serviceman named George Mattson, formerly of Boston and now residing in Florida, who authored several books on the subject and is largely responsible for popularizing the style in America. Uechi Ryū emphasizes toughness of the body with quick hand and foot strikes. Several of the more unique weapons of Uechi practitioners are the one-knuckle punch (shoken), spearhand (nukite), and the toe kick. Because of this emphasis on simplicity, stability, and a combination of linear and circular motions, proponents claim that the style is practical for self-defense. In contrast to the more linear styles of karate based on Okinawan Shuri-te or Tomari-te, Uechi Ryū's connection to Chinese Nanpa Shorin-ken means it shares a similar foundation to Naha-Te (and thus Goju-ryu) despite their separate development.^[2] Thus Uechi Ryū is also heavily influenced by the circular movements inherent in kung fu from Fukien Province. Uechi Ryū is principally based on the movements of animals: the Tiger, Dragon, and Crane.

[edit] Kata

There are eight empty-hand katas in Uechi Ryū; the longest has 36 steps. Only Sanchin, Seisan, Sanseirui are from Pangai-noon. The others were added to the style by Kanei Uechi. Kanei Uechi designed all of the non-original katas except for Kanshu (designed by Seiki Itokazu) and Seichin (designed by Saburo Uehara). Many of the names of the newer kata were formed from the names of prominent figures in the art, e.g. Kanshiwa from Kanei and Sushiwa. The current list of empty-hand kata is:

1. Sanchin
2. Kanshiwa
3. Kanshu (also known as Dainiseisan)
4. Seichin
5. Seisan
6. Seirui (also known as Seiryu)
7. Kanchin
8. Sanseirui (also known as Sandairui and Sanseiryu)
Note: there are newer Katas still being worked upon by the Okinawan Karate-Do association.

The Sanchin kata is deceptively simple in appearance. It teaches the foundation of the style, including stances and breathing. Kanbun Uechi is quoted as saying "All is in Sanchin." Though it is not difficult to learn the movements of Sanchin, it is thought to take a lifetime to master the form.

Additionally, some organizations teach that each kata has a 'meaning' or moral; the more accurate meaning however is that each kata teaches a specific concept:

1. Sanchin (三戦 - Literally translated as "3 fights/conflicts". From the kanji for "3" and 戦う - "to fight/to struggle". Usually interpreted as three Modes/Conflicts: Mind, Body and Spirit)
2. Kanshiwa（漢子知 - A combination of the first kanji in Kanbun's name, and the last two kanji (if written in Chinese order) of Shu Shiwa's[Japanese pronunciation] name.)
3. Kanshu (完周 - A combination of the first kanji in Kanbun's name, and the kanji for Shu Shiwa's family name (Shu) [see previous note on pronunciation]. This kata is also known as Daini Seisan (第二十三).)
4. Seichin (十戦 - Literally translated, it means "10 fights/conflicts")
5. Seisan (十三 - Literally translated, it means "13". Usually interpreted as "Thirteen modes of attack and defense" or "13 positions to attack/defend from.")
6. Seirui (十六 - Along the lines of the others, literally translated this means simply "16")
7. Kanchin (完戦 - A combination of Kanbun's first kanji and "fight." No meaningful translation can be made.
8. Sanseirui (三十六 - Literally translated, it means simply "36". Usually interpreted as "thirty-six modes of attack and defense" or "36 positions to attack/defend from.")

After Kanei Uechi, some Uechi Ryū schools have added additional kata, such as Shoshu, which can be included between Kanshu and Seichin.

[edit] Ranks

These are the ten black belt or Dan ranks:

1. Shodan
2. Nidan
3. Sandan
4. Yondan
5. Godan
6. Rokudan (Master's title: Renshi)
7. Shichidan or Nanadan (Master's title: Kyoshi)
8. Hachidan (Master's title: Kyoshi)
9. Kyudan (Master's title: Hanshi)
10. Judan (Master's title: Hanshi-sei)

These are the ten beginner or Kyu ranks:

10. Jukyu
9. Kyukyu
8. Hachikyu
7. Shichikyu
6. Rokkyu
5. Gokyu
4. Yonkyu
3. Sankyu
2. Nikkyu
1. Ikkyu

[edit] Weapons

There are no weapons in the Uechi Ryū system, although several masters in Okinawa have cross-trained with Kobudo weapon systems and made them part of their curriculum. Okinawan weapons include in part: bo (6' staff), Nunchaku, Sai, Kama, Oar, Tonfa.

[edit] Additional Training Elements

Kanei Uechi, in addition to adding kata, also introduced a sequence of exercises to the Uechi Ryū training regimen. The "junbi undo" are warm-up and stretching exercises based on Asian school training exercises. The "hojo undo" are standardized exercises that incorporate elements of all of the katas of the system. The junbi undo exercises are:

1. Ashi saki o ageru undo (heel pivot)
2. Kakato o ageru undo (heel lift)
3. Ashikubi o mawasu undo (foot and ankle twist)
4. Hiza o mawasu undo (knee circular bend)
5. Ashi o mae yoko ni nobasu undo (leg lift and turn)
6. Ashi o mae uchi naname no ageru undo (straight left lift)
6. Tai o mae ni taosu undo (waist scoop)
7. Koshi no nenten (trunk stretch)
8. Ude o mae yoko shita nobasu undo (double arm strike)
9. Kubi o mawasu undo (neck exercise)

The hojo undo exercises are:

1. Sokuto geri (Side Snap Kick)
2. Shomen geri (Front kick)
3. Mawashi tsuki (Hook Punch)
4. Wauke shuto uraken shoken tsuki/Shuto Uchi-Ura Uchi-Shoken Tsuki (Chop, Backfist, One-knuckle punch)
5. Hajiki uke hiraken tsuki (Tiger Paw Blocks and Strikes)
6. Hiji tsuki (Elbow strikes)
7. Shomen tsuki/Seiken tsuki (Reverse Punch)
8. Tenshin zensoku geri (Turn-Block-Front Kick-Forward Leg)
9. Tenshin kosuko geri (Turn-Block-Front Kick-Back Leg)
10. Tenshin shoken tsuki (Turn-Block-One Knuckle Punch)
11. Shomen hajiki (fingertip eye strikes - NB: some consider this to be a throat attack)
12. Koino shipo uchi, tate uchi (fish-tail wrist blocks in four directions)
13. Koino shipo uchi, yoko uchi (fish-tail wrist blocks side-to-side)

Kanei Uechi developed a set of pre-arranged sparring exercises for the colored (non-black) belt ranks. These exercises are referred to as "kyu kumite". They involve two partners exchanging a formal sequence of blocks and strikes. There are five of these exercises, and each one involves three to six exchanges of single blocks and strikes. The kyu kumite exercises involve blocks and strikes that are, for the most part, also found in Uechi Ryū kata. Thus, like kata bunkai, these exercises help students become familiar with the application of Uechi Ryū techniques. Typically, the highest kyu ranks are expected to be able to move through these exercises with great strength and fluidity. Dan level students practice additional pre-arranged sparring exercises.

Special forms of strength training and body conditioning are generally practiced in Uechi Ryū training. A formal Uechi Ryū forearm conditioning exercise, called "kote kotae," involves the ritualized pounding of one's fists and forearms against the forearms of a partner. Kanbun Uechi learned this conditioning exercise in China. A similar Uechi Ryū exercise involves exchanging leg kicks with a partner (this is "ashi kotae").

Working with a makiwara is also a part of Uechi Ryū training.

[edit] Uechi Ryū Today

Like many arts, Uechi Ryū experienced organizational splits after its founder's death.

Some of the senior practioners of the original art split from the main organization and created other organizations or styles, including Shohei-ryu and recreated versions of Pangainoon. The rift came about through some teachers wanting to teach a varied form of Uechi (from slightly different kata to newer conditioning drills), and some wanting to teach the "classical" form as designed by Kanbun. The differences between the three major groups remaining are unnoticeable to the casual observer, and some in Japan believe that a large part of the split was due to a personality conflict.

[edit] Major Styles Originating in Uechi

1) Uechi-Ryu Karate-Do Association (Soke Shubukan)- headed by Kanmei UECHI

2) The Okinawa Karate Do Association (Okikukai Shohei-ryu) - headed by Tsutomo NAKAHODO ^[3]

3) International Kenyukai Association (Kenyukai) - headed by Kiyohide SHINJO: Started as a fraternity within the Uechi Ryu Association in 1981 ^[4]

4) International Uechi-Ryu Karate-Do Federation - headed by George Mattson ^[5]

5) International Uechi-Ryu Karate-Do Association - headed by James Thompson

[edit] Noted Dojos

The original Futenma dojo is headed by Kanmei Uechi of Okinawa, grandson of the founder.

A prominent dojo in Yomitan, Okinawa (moved from Kadena in 2004) is headed by Kiyohide Shinjo, a.k.a. "Okinawa's Superman".^[6]^[7]

[edit] References

^ Official Karate Site of the Okinawan Prefecture
^ JKF Goju-Kai site
^ Official Okikukai Site
^ Alan Dollar's Uechi Ryu web site
^ Uechi-ryu site with much information on the style
^ "Meet Okinawa's Superman," by Chris Wilson, in Okinawa Living, issue #155, November 2006, p.72
^ "Martial Arts: Way of the Warrior & Kung Fu Fighter DVD," produced by the Discovery Channel, stock item #697292.

External Links

Uechi-ryu.com Uechi-ryu site with much information on the style.

Uechi-ryu Journal Article on Uechi-ryu.

University of Virginia Club Site Uechi-ryu information from the University of Virginia.

Pangainun quanfa European Uechi Karate Federation

Okinawa Karate Okinawa Traditional Karate Kobudo International Studying Center (Goju-ryu, Uechi-ryu, and Shorin-ryu)

Books

Allan Dollar, Secrets of Uechi Ryu and the Mysteries of Okinawa, Cherokee Publishing: 1996.
George E. Mattson, Uechiryu Karate Do (Classical Chinese Okinawan Self-Defense), Peabody Publishing Company: 1997 (8th printing).