- Uechi - Ryu Karate is a style of Okinawan Karate originated by Kanbun Uechi.
- About Uechi-Ryu Karate:
Uechi-Ryu (pronounced “Way Chi Roo”) is an in-close personal defense system which utilizes circular movements and consists of elements of Tiger, Dragon, and Crane styles. Its practice frequently incorporates conditioning techniques associated with Iron Shirt Training, which promotes strength and durability.
Uechi-Ryu was originally a Shaolin style, and was introduced to Okinawa by Grandmaster Kanbun Uechi in the early 1900s. The style was then known as Pangainoon, or “half hard and half soft.” Pangainoon was renamed to Uechi-Ryu Karate-Do after the grandmaster’s death following the end of World War II. The “do” designation suggests that the style considers the entire person and is a compassionate “path” or “way” of life.
Primarily a defensive style, Uechi-Ryu’s emphasis is not upon competition, though many students successfully compete in tournaments at their option. Rather, the primary focus is upon regular conditioning with everyday life applications to cooperatively develop one’s self. Today, Uechi-Ryu Karate is taught worldwide and is safely practiced by students of all ages, including children and seniors in a non-competitive and family atmosphere.
All classes open to students ages 7 and up!
- Early History:
Kanbun Uechi studied Pangai-noon (half-hard, half-soft) Kung Fu under Shushiwa, also known as Chou Tsu Ho, 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. After returning to Okinawa, Master Kanbun Uechi, while working as a janitor, was persuaded by Ryuyu Tomoyose, a coworker to teach again. He did this by getting Kanbun to show him ways of defending against different attacks. His confidence as a teacher restored, Kanbun Uechi with the help of Ryuyu Tomoyose opened a dojo to the public. His Okinawan students eventually renamed the system in 1940 to "Uechi Ryu", which translates as "Way of Uechi".
- 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-ryu 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, the style is practical for self-defense. Uechi-ryu is principally based on the movements of animals, the Tiger, Dragon, and Crane. Of all styles of Karate, none are closer to the Chinese roots of the art; Uechi-ryu still strongly resembles Southern Chinese Kung Fu.
- Kata:
There are eight empty-hand katas in Uechi Ryu; the longest has 36 steps. Only Sanchin, Seisan, Sanseirui are from Pangai-noon. The others were added to the style by Kanei Uechi. 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. Konshu
4. Seichin
5. Seisan
6. Seirui
7. Konchin
8. Sanseirui
- 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 (Three Modes/Conflicts: Mind, Body and Spirit)
2. Kanshiwa
3. Konshu
4. Seichin
5. Seisan (Thirteen modes of attack and defense)
6. Seirui
7. Konchin
8. Sanseirui (Thirty-six modes of attack and defense)
- After Kanei Uechi, s
Karate - Eastside, Program Schedule KARATE - EASTSIDE: UECHI - RYU KARATE
2007 Class Schedule
Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday Future Programming TBA Mixed Level Karate:
4:00pm to 5:00pm
5:00pm to 6:00pmAdults Karate: 7:00pm to 8:00pm
8:00pm to 9:00pmMixed Level Karate:
4:00pm to 5:00pm
5:00pm to 6:00pmAdults Karate:
7:00pm to 8:00pm
8:00pm to 9:00pmMixed Level Karate: 4:00pm to 5:00pm
5:00pm to 6:00pmFuture Programming TBA
Offerings Include: - Uechi - Ryu Karate is a style of Okinawan Karate originated by Kanbun Uechi.
- About Uechi-Ryu Karate:
Uechi-Ryu (pronounced “Way Chi Roo”) is an in-close personal defense system which utilizes circular movements and consists of elements of Tiger, Dragon, and Crane styles. Its practice frequently incorporates conditioning techniques associated with Iron Shirt Training, which promotes strength and durability.
Uechi-Ryu was originally a Some Uechi Ryu schools have added additional kata, such as Shoshu, which can be included between Konshu and Seichin. - 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. Sichidan or Nanidan (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:
1. Jukyu
2. Kyukyu
3. Hachikyu
4. Sichikyu
5. Rokyu
6. Gokyu
7. Yonkyu
8. Sankyu
9. Nikyu
10. Ikkyu
- Additional Training Elements:
Kanei Uechi, in addition to adding kata, also introduced a sequence of exercises to the Uechi Ryu 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 hojo undo exercises are:
1. Sokuto geri (knife-edge kick)
2. Shomen geri (front kick)
3. Mawashi tsuki (roundouse four-knuckle-fist punches)
4. Wauke shuto uraken shoken tsuki (circle block, chop, backfist, one-knuckle punch)
5. Hajki uke hiraken tsuki (four-knuckle-fist blocks and strikes)
6. Hiji tsuki (elbow strikes)
7. Seiken tsuki (full-fist punch)
8. Tenshin zensoku geri (front-leg angle kicks)
9. Tenshin kosuko geri (rear-leg angle kicks)
10. Tenshin Shoken Tsuki (Step around circular block, punch, circular block, punch) 11. Shomen hajiki (fingertip eye strikes)
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)
- Uechi Ryu Today: Since the passing of Kanei Uechi in 1991, Uechi-Ryu has continued to expand globally and there are now numerous and significant Uechi organizations with affiliates on several continents. The Karate - Eastside dojo is affiliated with the Okinawa Karate-Do Association (OKIKUKAI), which is headquartered in Okinawa. Its president is Master Kosuke Yonamine and other senior members include Masters Ryuko Tomoyose, Shintoku Takara, Hiroshi Inada and Tsutomo Nakahodo, all of whom were senior students of the late Master Kanei Uechi. The senior North American OKIKUKAI affiliate is Mr. Walter Mattson, a Hanshi Kyu-Dan(9th degree black belt), whose dojo is in Southborough, MA.
Our Classes are offered on an on-going basis. Feel free to come and try a class, or just observe. Wear comfortable, loose-fitting clothing.Karate - Eastside encourages you and your family to come in and try a class for free!
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Main Street Martial Arts Karate - Eastside
1282 North Main Street
Providence, Rhode Island 02904
(401) 274-7671 - info@budojo.com
haolin style, and was introduced to Okinawa by Grandmaster Kanbun Uechi in the early 1900s. The style was then known as Pangainoon, or “half hard and half soft.” Pangainoon was renamed to Uechi-Ryu Karate-Do after the grandmaster’s death following the end of World War II. The “do” designation suggests that the style considers the entire person and is a compassionate “path” or “way” of life.
Primarily a defensive style, Uechi-Ryu’s emphasis is not upon competition, though many students successfully compete in tournaments at their option. Rather, the primary focus is upon regular conditioning with everyday life applications to cooperatively develop one’s self. Today, Uechi-Ryu Karate is taught worldwide and is safely practiced by students of all ages, including children and seniors in a non-competitive and family atmosphere.
All classes open to students ages 7 and up!
- Early History:
Kanbun Uechi studied Pangai-noon (half-hard, half-soft) Kung Fu under Shushiwa, also known as Chou Tsu Ho, 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. After returning to Okinawa, Master Kanbun Uechi, while working as a janitor, was persuaded by Ryuyu Tomoyose, a coworker to teach again. He did this by getting Kanbun to show him ways of defending against different attacks. His confidence as a teacher restored, Kanbun Uechi with the help of Ryuyu Tomoyose opened a dojo to the public. His Okinawan students eventually renamed the system in 1940 to "Uechi Ryu", which translates as "Way of Uechi".
- 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-ryu 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, the style is practical for self-defense. Uechi-ryu is principally based on the movements of animals, the Tiger, Dragon, and Crane. Of all styles of Karate, none are closer to the Chinese roots of the art; Uechi-ryu still strongly resembles Southern Chinese Kung Fu.
- Kata:
There are eight empty-hand katas in Uechi Ryu; the longest has 36 steps. Only Sanchin, Seisan, Sanseirui are from Pangai-noon. The others were added to the style by Kanei Uechi. 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. Konshu
4. Seichin
5. Seisan
6. Seirui
7. Konchin
8. Sanseirui
- 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 (Three Modes/Conflicts: Mind, Body and Spirit)
2. Kanshiwa
3. Konshu
4. Seichin
5. Seisan (Thirteen modes of attack and defense)
6. Seirui
7. Konchin
8. Sanseirui (Thirty-six modes of attack and defense)
- After Kanei Uechi, some Uechi Ryu schools have added additional kata, such as Shoshu, which can be included between Konshu and Seichin.
- 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. Sichidan or Nanidan (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:
1. Jukyu
2. Kyukyu
3. Hachikyu
4. Sichikyu
5. Rokyu
6. Gokyu
7. Yonkyu
8. Sankyu
9. Nikyu
10. Ikkyu
- Additional Training Elements:
Kanei Uechi, in addition to adding kata, also introduced a sequence of exercises to the Uechi Ryu 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 hojo undo exercises are:
1. Sokuto geri (knife-edge kick)
2. Shomen geri (front kick)
3. Mawashi tsuki (roundouse four-knuckle-fist punches)
4. Wauke shuto uraken shoken tsuki (circle block, chop, backfist, one-knuckle punch)
5. Hajki uke hiraken tsuki (four-knuckle-fist blocks and strikes)
6. Hiji tsuki (elbow strikes)
7. Seiken tsuki (full-fist punch)
8. Tenshin zensoku geri (front-leg angle kicks)
9. Tenshin kosuko geri (rear-leg angle kicks)
10. Tenshin Shoken Tsuki (Step around circular block, punch, circular block, punch) 11. Shomen hajiki (fingertip eye strikes)
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)
- Uechi Ryu Today: Since the passing of Kanei Uechi in 1991, Uechi-Ryu has continued to expand globally and there are now numerous and significant Uechi organizations with affiliates on several continents. The Karate - Eastside dojo is affiliated with the Okinawa Karate-Do Association (OKIKUKAI), which is headquartered in Okinawa. Its president is Master Kosuke Yonamine and other senior members include Masters Ryuko Tomoyose, Shintoku Takara, Hiroshi Inada and Tsutomo Nakahodo, all of whom were senior students of the late Master Kanei Uechi. The senior North American OKIKUKAI affiliate is Mr. Walter Mattson, a Hanshi Kyu-Dan(9th degree black belt), whose dojo is in Southborough, MA.