Uechi-Ryu Karate-Do
History
We are in 1897, and the young Kanbun Uechi (上地完文) decides to flee Okinawa to avoid Japanese conscription. Accompanied by a friend, he clandestinely boards a ship to China, where he stays in Fujian until 1910.
For 13 years, Kanbun is taught by Zhou Zhi He—known as Shu Shi Wa in Okinawan (周子和)—and practices a style of martial arts derived from the techniques of the tiger and white crane.
The training was very strict and focused on learning three katas:
- Sanchin (三戦)
- Seisan (十三)
- Sanseiryu (三十六)
In 1904, Kanbun was appointed as a teacher of this martial art, known locally as pankwainoon (半硬軟), meaning “half-soft, half-hard.” He opened a training hall to teach the art. However, in 1909, following a tragic incident involving one of his students, Kanbun decided to stop teaching and return to Okinawa.
Back in Okinawa, he resumed his life by starting a family and working on the family farm.
In 1924, Kanbun emigrated to the Japanese mainland, settling in Wakayama for economic reasons. There, he met Ryuyu Tomoyose, who convinced him to become his disciple and eventually to teach others (initially focusing on fellow Okinawans).
The effectiveness of Uechi’s art spread quickly, and in 1932, the first Pankwainoon Karate dojo was opened.
Kanbun began teaching his art to his son Kanei when he was 16 years old. Ten years later, Kanei was recognized as a teacher and established his own dojo.
To honor his father, Kanei renamed the Pankwainoon Karate study center to the Uechi Karate School (Uechi-Ryu). Kanei also modernized the style by introducing educational exercises and adding katas to make learning easier for his students.
Modern Uechi-Ryu now includes eight katas:
- Sanchin (三戦)
- Kanshiwa (完子和)
- Kanshu (完周)
- Seichin (十戦)
- Seisan (十三)
- Seiryū (十六)
- Kanchin (完戦)
- Sanseiryū (三十六)
In 1945, Kanbun returned to Okinawa, where he passed away in 1948.
Specificities
The Uechi school of Karate is practiced with a high, almost natural stance, making it a style highly effective for self-defense in close combat situations.
Uechi-Ryu is the only style of Karate practiced with open hands. In the guard position, the hands are extended forward with the intent to thrust, strike, grab, or throw.
Due to the close combat distance, it can sometimes be difficult to avoid an assailant’s strikes. To prepare students for such situations, we practice body conditioning in a very gradual manner. This helps to toughen various parts of the body that might be used to block a strike, such as the arms, legs, abdomen, chest, and more.
Uechi-Ryu in the world
In North and Latin America, the main organization overseeing Uechi-Ryu is the IUKF (International Uechi-Ryu Karate Federation). Founded in the 1980s by George Mattson, it initially focused on North America before expanding to Latin America and beyond.
Since 2019, George Mattson has passed the presidency of the federation to Darin Yee.
Uechi-Ryu Oryukai and The Institute of Uechi-Ryu are affiliated to the IUKF as Lionel (our Kaicho) has been awarded certified teacher by Mattson Sensei within the IUKF.
In Europe, Uechi-Ryu Karate was introduced in France by Yukinobu Shimabukuro (a student of Toyama Sensei) starting in 1986.
Uechi-Ryu Karate is generally practiced under the auspices of the Association Uechi-Ryu Europe, whose president is Didier Lorho.
Shimabukuro Sensei is the representative in Europe and Russia for Soké Sadanao Uechi (上地完尚)—the great-grandson of Kanbun Uechi and the president of the Uechi-Ryu Karate-Do Association (上地流空手道協会) located in Futenma, Okinawa.
He is an admirable man and sensei, always offering great advice with a smile and showing great attentiveness to others.