April, 1999
Mailbag
Dear Sir,
I have practiced Shotokan Karate when I was younger for a short period of time and therefore the knowledge I have regarding Karate training is very small. Well, I wanted to start training again but this time
I would like to take up Uchy Ryu Style of Karate but I have some doubts that I wonder if you could answer me about training. I have chosen to write after I had read your article ragarding Karate training and conditioning of the body in Karate.
I would like to know what safety measures are taken during the sparring sessions and what safety measures are taken when practicing with weapons and if there is any kind of "sparring session" with Kobudo weapons.
Thank you in advance, yours sincerely Martin.
Dear George,
Here's one I think I can answer for Scott Axland.
Best wishes
John Long
PS: my new book "Dinosaurs of Australia and New Zealand" is now out through Harvard Uni Press in Cambridge if any young or older Uechi practitioners out there have a keen interst in prehistoric beasties (see their web site for details).
________________________________________________
To Scott Axland
Yes, I can help: These are actually old Chinese names, not strict Japanese. Seisan means (sei=10, san=3) the thirteen positions of defence;
Sanseiryu -san=3 x sei =10 which means 30 plus ryu is an abbreviated form of' liu' (pronounced as 'ryu') meaning 6 = 36 positions of defence. In actual Mandarin Chinese Seisan (13) would strictly be called "ShiSan" and Sanseiryu (36) would be "SanShiLiu", but as Pangainoon would be from southern Chinese dialects, the original chinese name is probably correct, so the original names I would guess are actually "Seisan" and "Sanseiryu".
If in fact these were Japanese then the numbers would translate as follows- 13 would be "KyuSan" and 36 would be "San Kyu Ruku".
I hope this answers your query,
John Long
(Uechi Ryu Assn, Australia, Perth instructor)
Dr John Long Curator of Vertebrate Palaeontology Western Australian Museum Francis St, Perth
CNN reported that in the next two weeks, Congress is going to vote on allowing telephone companies to charge for Internet access. That means, every time we make a long distance e-mail we will receive a long distance charge.
This will get costly. Please visit to the following web site AND complain. Complain to your Congressman. Don't allow this to pass.
http://www.house.gov/writerep
I hope all of you will pass this on to all your friends and family. All of us have an interest in this one.
sample letter:
======================================================
Dear Rep. ??????,
I protest and urge you to oppose any measure that makes it possible for telephone companies to charge for access to the Internet. Historically, the Internet has been envisioned as a public space for the expression of individual creativity, free of the restrictions imposed by commercialism. The original vision "Xanadu" was specifically designed to allow freeform interaction without the participants being limited by time, space or the demands of capital.
To charge for one of the last free speech, free access areas in the world would be tantamount to silencing the voices of literally hundreds of thousands of people. IN fact, during the writing of the South AFrican Constitution, web access was vital for the authors as they received commentary from legal, political and social science scholars all over the globe. Such collaboration should not be hamstrung by the drive for profit.
Please encourage your colleagues at all levels of government to vote against any "for profit" drive on the web and internet.
Thank you for your time and attention.
Sincerely,
Concerned Constituent
A Favor, Please!
Our Uechi-ryu web site has evolved from a simple home page into one of the most popular martial art site on the Internet. I have enjoyed creating the site, learning as the site grew and prospered. Imagine my surprise when a university professor requested to conduct a survey of our participants and "lurkers", to learn more about who is interested in the martial arts generally and in the Uechi-ryu family of styles, specifically.
I agreed to the survey, providing the respondent's identity was protected and that I could publish the results and use the findings to help refine the future direction of Uechi-ryu.com.
Dr. White is solely responsible for the creation of the survey and all results are being sent to his email address.Taking the survey will only require a few minutes of your time and will help a great deal in determining the future focus and direction of our site. The survey can be found at: "http://uechi-ryu.net/survey.htm"
Thank you. . . see you on the Net!
George E. Mattson
The following information was provided by Dr.White concerning the survey:
Purpose of the Survey: This survey's purpose is to determine the characteristics of the readership of Uechi-Ryu.Com, the Uechi-Ryu on-line magazine. The results of the survey will be used for academic purposes only. Please take a couple of minutes to complete the questionnaire. Your input is valuable and the results will be shared with the Uechi-Ryu.Com editorial board to provide feedback regarding your attitudes and interests. Thank you. Sincerely, Dr. D. Steven White, Assistant Professor of Marketing, University of Massachusetts-Dartmouth, North Darmouth, MA 02747. e-mail:swhite@umassd.edu
Where this form is going: Your form will be submitted to me via e-mail, which means that I might be able to see your e-mail address. As a marketing professor, and a member of the American Marketing Association (AMA), I am bound by rules of confidentiality. If your e-mail address is transmitted to me when you submit this form, I promise that it will never be published or used by me or Uechi-Ryu.Com for any purpose. Nor will anyone else ever see it or the information contained in your individual response. Once received the responses will be compiled in a database file with all identification removed.
Good morning Sensei - have already received 33 responses based on your e-mail message to solicit participation. And that's before the survey has been announced on the Uechi-Ryu site! I think that we will get a lot of responses and some great information.
Will keep you posted,
Steve
Hello.
I filled out the survey and at the end, after consenting that my e-mail address might be known ( which does not bother me), I received this message:
"Netscape is unable to locate the server: the server does not have a DNS entry. Check the server name in the Location (URL) and try again."
I'm not sure if it's a glitch on my end, or if it might be an incorrect hyperlink on your end -- regardless, it's worth checking out.I will attempt to fill out the survey again at a later time.
Thanks,
Jackie Sullivan
Steve is checking out this possible problem. May have something to do with the browser you are using, although I'm using Netscape 4 with no problem. GEM
Dear Mr. Mattson,
The hotlink on this page does not work properly because of the quotation marks. If you just hit it, you get HTTP 404 not found. You have to retype it or paste it and then delete the ending quotation mark. Anyone who doesn't figure this out will be unable to participate in the survey.
Have a happy Easter,
Donna Abbott
Interesting Donna. I've been using quotes to activate URL in messages for years. Wonder if anyone else has experienced this difficulty. GEM
Mattson Sensei--
It will be a pleasure to cooperate with this project and I hope to have the honor of meeting you someday. I am an Okinawan Goju-Ryu Karatedo and Japanese Jujutsu practioner (17 years.) I have worked with people who are under the Goju-Ryu Karatedo Kyokai (Yamakura Motoo) and I believe he may have worked some with you in the 60's-70's. I have always loved the Uechi-Ryu system.
My teacher is Roy Jerry Hobbs, and I believe I have seen your name on his cc: list. Anyway, I have admired your work for a long, long time and really think your book is one of the best available regardless of style.
Thanks for the email, as it is always a pleasure to hear from a pioneer.
By the way, I talk with Anthony Mirakian Sensei quite often...How far are you from him?
Respectfully,
Matt Henderson
Hi Matt:
Thanks for the kind words. Yamakura Motoo earned a black belt with me in Uechi-ryu many years ago. I believe I have an 8mm film of him doing Goju kata somewhere.
Tony has his dojo in Watertown, which is only 30 miles from my home. Haven't seen him in many years though.
Stay in touch. GEM
Mr. George Mattson, Sensei:
Do you have any people in Georgia/Alabama? I am a school teacher and live on the West Central Georgia/ East Central Alabama line, 100 miles from Atlanta. I would love to see more of the Uechi-Ryu kata, as I have been much impressed by what I have seen. I know of some of the other players such as Ron Mindlin and Alan Dollar, but I associate Uechi-Ryu with your name primarily. I had a directory sent to me by one of the fellows (I believe it was Ron Mindlin) but that was some time ago.
Although I am primarily a Goju-Ryu practicioner, I have a keen interest in the Uechi Style and really enjoy the Chinese elements that remain so prevelant in the kamae and waza. Are there still Chinese who Practice Pan Gai Noon, and is it much the same as the art of Uechi Sensei?
Is there any way I could pay for a newsletter and perhaps order any manual that you may have for your dojo? I would also like to get your book and have it signed, if possible. I was teaching at a seminar in Tenn. when one of the loaned it to me to read in the hotel. It kept me up for awhile!
It looks to me like the Uechi system is the most complex system to do correctly and the Shinjos really are a talented pair. I would definitely like to find out more.
Respectfully,
M. Henderson
PS I do hope to see Mirakian Sensei soon.
every year in japan there is a festival to celebrate the lives of those who have made ours possible. called Obon, it is held in late july through early september, when the veil between the worlds draws thin, the work of the field is drawing to a close, and the gifts of the earth are abundant. obon is characterized by circular group dances "bon odori" particular to individual villages that describe events or legends connected with the location. people travel back to their parents' birthplace to join friends an relatives in honoring memories and honoring those who are beyond memory. beneath hundreds of hanging lanterns, gleaming pink gold blue white orange green in the cotton summer kimono called yukata, the villagers wheel and turn like flocks of cranes, migrating to the place from which their spirit first emerged. in the center of the circle, high on a platform, is a taiko, a traditional drum whose origins go back to the myths of the sun goddess amaterasu. when she took her light from the world, the heavenly surprising maiden, Uzume no Miko, threw half a wine cask on the ground, and standing on this platform performed a dance of such mirth and sensual power that all the gods laughed, and out of curiosity the sun goddess opened up the cave where she was hiding. the booming of the taiko marks the accented choreography of the dancers, and keeps them moving as one. the limits of a village are traditionally marked by the furthest point from which one can hear the village drum. all of us descended from the uva dojo are pilgrims to the uechi village created by rad smith. its location is the space in our souls where we open up to the transformation of self that is the core of all martial arts. his heartbeat is the taiko we hear in our own pulse when we perform our dances of memory: the kata he brought with him to charlottesville virginia. when i perform bon-odori in tokyo and on sado ojiima this summer, i will think of rad, though i never saw his picture before george put it on the website. because of rad i met my best friends in the world, i learned the scope of body/mind/soul, i moved to japan and began playing taiko, and i opened up to the challenge of revealing my highest self to the world. arigatai means "i want to give thanks" : to rad smith for the gifts he gave us, and to all my karate and taiko sisters and brothers who are shaping a better world by practicing martial arts and the way of the drum in the spirit that the UVa club strove hard to engender: bowing in a circle, rotating our sempai, viewing all members of the dojo as teachers in one way or another [even when the lessons are unexpected or uncomfortable]. arigatai.
Maria G. Olivas
Asst to Profs. Michael Dorf and Charles Sabel 212 854 3077 phone 212 854 7946 fax 435 West 116th St., E-8 New York, NY 10027 USA mgo2@columbia.edu molivas@law.columbia.edu
More from Maria:
hi george,
nice to hear you are doing so well, per usual, you business maven i have just changed jobs, so am a bit crazy, also have started my own bodywork business doing deep muscle re-education for triathletes, musicians [including taiko drummers] and people w/arthiritis and carpal tunnel syndrome. will do the survey this week.
ciao,
Thanks for writing Maria. So pleased to hear that you are busy in the 'fitness' business. Hope you will be able to join us at camp one of these years and conduct a couple of seminars. (I'm especially interested in the Taiko Drumming) GEM
Still More:
i think i could do tiako drumming in 2000. shall i start creating a curriculum?
ciao,
m
I wanted to ask if you could kindly take a look at the thread "everything that rises must converge" on Seeking The Bridge and possibly shed some light on the context of Master Uechi's performance of the system kata in the vintage films. We were talking about his flow of energy and how it's not like the model many advanced practitioner's employ of emphasizing great destructive energy in the block/strike movements and deemphasizing the transitions.
Thanks a lot--you were there!
David
If anyone has not been following the recent 'threads' on the Forums, please check them out. I'm working on an article for a magazine concerning this whole subject. In my mind, the beauty of Uechi-ryu is in its ability to accommodate different ways of performing the movements and interpreting the underlying principles of the style. Hope to finish this article soon. I'll also post it in my "Whats New" column. GEM
Hey! The dojo website is complete! Check it out at www.gok.baweb.com!
Let us know what you think.
Later,
C&M
George
I received permission from the first author (Zoltan Dienes)of this piece of work to post this on our web page. We can assume the second author (Mike Flannagan) is also on board.
George, this is an incredible, groundbreaking piece of work. But it is VERY detailed and complex. As you know, kyusho has its origin in the connection between older understandings of the human body and combat technique. Many in the modern kyusho world hold onto a paradigm that is based on the Maoist version of "traditional" Chinese medicine. This means cycle of creation/destruction, yin yang, etc. Nobody argues with the fact that certain locations on the human body are sensitive and stimulating certain combinations of points in specific sequences produces dramatic results. But the model that explains why things work should be capable of predicting new combinations, and not just provide post hoc rationalizations.
Zoltan and Mike performed what I think is the very first randomized trial that compares kyusho point strikes that follow cycle of creation vs cycle of destruction. One would assume that the latter would produce the more dramatic (in this case more painful) results. With the selected points in this study, they did not. Further analysis was done that compared the yin vs yang classification of the points, and that also showed no difference. These gentlemen posted the results for perusal by the kyusho and torite forums.
[Also of interest is] that George Dillman has been collaborating with folks at University of Pennsylvania to advance a rigorous study of mechanism underlying the artform.
George, I would like to do the following:
1) Post this piece of work in a central location on the forum. It is quite long. 2) Then we can start a discussion of the material within this study on the forum list. It's very easy to criticize the details of this study. But the fact that ANY study of this rigor has been done is fantastic. For those willing to read the details, absorb the information, and ignore the messenger, an opportunity exists to make better sense of this sequential strike artform.
I cc'd Zoltan and J.D. on this note. Could you please forward to Evan? I don't have his e-mail address. I figured we should get our own expert panel versed on the details before we launch into a discussion. Also, it might be useful getting a copy to Jim Malone. Perhaps someone can work with him on the significance of this work. Also, do you have Bruce Siddle's e-mail address? Thanks. Bill Glasheen
Bill: I'll post the study in our "Articles" section. Hopefully later this week. Looking forward to seeing a lively exchange on your forum. GEM
Thank to everybody who help me to get some pictures of techniques in their own karate styles. It's for my web -data base of 4000 web all around the world-
Take care and good training
Alain from Paris, France
http://www.geocities.com/Colosseum/Court/7246/fotos.html
Sensei George Mattson,
I read with interest your brief comment about Tae Bo and I believe the masses will come to that reality shortly. Did you skim through the Boston Globe and catch that article about Billy Blanks? He grossed $75 million last year on this Tae Bo stuff. I guess anything faddish can sell in the land of Hollywood.
However, the truth is apparently coming out of the wood works here in Boston about Billy Blanks' self assertions. He never won seven Karate championships but only two (didn't we all win a few karate championships too?) and he never won the Lowell golden gloves as he claimed. He was in fact knocked out in the first round of his very first and fortunately his last boxing match.
I was told he challenged Sensei Robert Campbell several years ago at a tournament and fortunately for Mr. Blanks, Sensei Campbell took his challenge as a nuisance and fluffed it off. We are all used to frivolous challenges and I guess that's why we should keep a lower profile to avoid those nuisances.
Anyway, I thought I drop you a note about this article. Sometimes I wonder if I should review my old forms and open up a dojo called Uechierobics. Think it'll work?
Andy Thom
I'll buy your tape Andy! I never saw Billy fight, but people say he was extremely proficient! He may have exaggerated his titles, but then there is a precedent for this among the Hollywood set. Truth is, we really don't have any real world titles, so who is to dispute his claims? GEM
I cannot locate a good tradional martial arts school in my area that can accomodate my schedule. I would like to know if videos and books could be of use in this instance?
I have had several years of training years ago. I am familiar with most of all the basics but would like to become familar with the uechi-ryu style of karate. I read your book the way of karate and was impressed with your views on karate. but as I stated there is no tradional school or uechi-ryu anywhere close with day time hours. I would appreciate your views or suggestions.
thank you
j. applegate
Difficult to learn anything via videos, but they are great for reviewing technique and learning new applications. Like the forums, instructional tapes can present new emphasis relating to what you currently study and help break old and bad habits that repress advancement. Check out "Books and Products" on the Uechi Web. GEM
Pronto
Mi scusi. Portrei introdurre, Il mio nome e GJ. Io vengo da Sacramento.
I hope I'm not speaking out of turn as a new student of a year in Uechi-ryu. As a woman and athlete with a wealth of experience with teachers, my experience with Martial Arts (especially Uechi-Ryu) has been optimistic and has been an atmosphere of opportunity for a healthy lifestyle. Therefore, I believe this too could be true for all who entise themselves to experience the ancient art. I've seen only the best as a student of two senseis who are "Icons" in Uechi-Ryu. In fact, I am aware that all who have been students of these "Icons" feel the same as I.
Arrivederci
Has the camp info made the print shop yet? Have a bunch of students that are interested and would like to make plans. Please send info via ....... or E me. Thank you kindly and look forward to hearing from you and Sue. Thanks Geo! Barb xoxox
It's in the mail Barb. We missed you last year! GEM
GEM
In reading a book I came across a reference of this style of Martial Arts that I have never heard of before and would like to learn more. Unfortunately I am having a problem finding anyone else who has even heard of it. I think it is loosely translated as "The Flow of Water" but I am not positive on that either.
I would appreciate any help you would be able to give me.
Thank You,
Mary Kay Stone
George,
I realized in remitting my letter to you that I forgot to mention the name of the Martial Arts and philosophy that I was talking about. It is Tal Kek Chara. MKS
Dear Sensei this is brad again I just want to say that my parents arn't sure if I can go to camp because they think it's a lot of money. I have a question, if I enter sparring in the tournement will I fight the adult's since I'm in that class or do I sparr the junior's still. I also have some questions about camp if I go. Will me and the students be learning anything new? If not what do you do at the camp?
Sincerely Brad Bodechon.
Write Back Soon.
We do have a numbe of scholarships for youth Brad. You might apply for one. In the tournament, you will compete with other youth your age and size. Regarding learning at camp. Check out some of the mail following last year's camp. GEM
Dear George Sensei:
One of my students pointed out a letter from a Donna Abbott looking for a Uechi school out here in the UMass area. Is there a way for me to get in touch with her. Also, this seems like a good time to submit my dojo/me for the instructors list.
Brian M. Stoia
Hatfield Shubukan 95 Prospect Street Hatfield, MA 01038 413-247-0159 (dojo) 413-247-3372 (home)
Godan - Uechi-ryu since 1973 at the Hancock Street Dojo
Thanks very much and my best to Susan,
Brian
Announcing the arrival of Talia Scott Kahn
6 lbs. 12 oz -- 19.5"
2/28/99 at 1:22pm
Mom & baby girl doing great!
>>>Debbie, David & Jami<<<
Sensei Mattson :
Hello, my name is Chris Bodechon . I believe my son Brad has e-mailed you a couple of times due to his interest in Uechi-Ryu karate. He is a student of Sensei Dave Hunt in Bedford Nova Scotia. I too was once a student of the Goju-Ryu Dojo in Ontario, and have achieved 1st Dan in 1979. Since that time I have allowed my training to go by the wayside. The reason I am writing is that I have been offered a job in Atlanta, Ga. and my family will most likely be moving down in the summer to live in Roswell , a town about 30 minutes outside of Atlanta. I was wondering if you had any idea if there is a Uechi-ryu dojo in that area and if there is would you have any idea what that school would be like. My son Brad has come to find that he enjoys karate immensly and therefore I would hate to see him disappointed by the fact that Uechi-ryu Karate is not available in Georgia . Having gone through the ranks myself ,I understand the great sense of accomplishment a person achieves when he makes it to the next level . Sensei Hunt has proven to be a real positive influence on Brad , and I only hope that in the future Brad will have an instructor with the same sense of enthusiasm and focus as Dave.
I asked Dave if he knew of any dojo's in Georgia and he wasn't sure if there were , so he suggested I write to you .Hoping to hear from you soon . Yours in Karate
Chris Bodechon
I've already put Chris in touch with Bruce H. in Atlanta. Good luck with your traiing. GEM
I happened upon your web site and noticed that "receive" is misspelled (you have it as "recieve"). The URL of the page is: http://www.uechi-ryu.com/kids/ Sorry for making such a big deal of a simple misspelling; my therapist says I have an obsessive-compulsive personality<g>.
But these web pages seem to live forever and this could be embarrassing. When I find something like this on my website, I use a free utility that helps me correct typos and make quick edits right in my browser. It's called JustEdit and you can get a free copy from www.download.com. Good luck, Chris
And people thought I was kidding when I wrote about people obsessed with the little things in life! Thanks Chris. I did make the correction. GEM
OPEN HOUSE INVITATION
On Saturday May 1, 1999 I will be having an open house in the School's New Location (134 Main Street in North Andover) it is from 9 - 4pm with food an demonstrations and we welcome everyone. We will also from 1 - 2:30 have a free blood pressure reading for all interested Adults followed by a Chi Gong (Ba Duan Gin) session, followed by a second blood pressure read to illustrate how effective the set really is. This will be followed by a free "Self Protection" Session for Adults Only.
Directions:
* From Rt 93N to exit 41 toward North Andover. Follow appr 5 miles to end (Rt 114)
* Take a left at the lights (Osco Drug on the Right).
* Take a Right at the first set of lights (Rt 125 toward North Andover just before Bertucci's resturant)
* Follow approx. 1 mile to Take a left on Main Street (just past North Andover Middle School).
* Follow to the beginning of downtown area (just after St. Michael's Church / New Construction)
* bear left and you will see a sign on the right saying "Sutton Pond"
* Take that Right to enter Parking area to the Left.
* Go around to opposite side of the building for the Main Entrance.
* (978) 686 - 0025 - School Logo and Name will be on the front window.
Open House Schedule:
9:00 AM - Kids Free Class and Demonstrations 10:00 AM - Adult and Teen Free Aerobic Class and Aerobics Demonstration 11:00 AM - Adult and Teen Free Cardio (Aerobic) Kickboxing Class 1:00 PM - Adult - Free Blood Pressure Screening 1:30 PM - Adult - Free Tai Chi Gong Class (Second Blood Pressure reading after class) 2:30 PM - Adult Only "Real Self Protection" Free Class and Demonstration
Please feel free to come and share in this special event.
Evan Pantazi
Kyusho@erols.com
Sensei Mattson,
Greetings from the ShitoKan IsshinRyu Karate Association. As the current website designer of "www.shitokan.com" and a student of Dr. Aiello's, I would like to ask your permission to add your site link to our newly constructed links page. Please feel free to add ours, as well as a holistic health link to the page "www.shitokan.com/warr08.htm" (Dr. Aiello's Chiropractic Clinic). I have recently reviewed your site and found it to be exceptional in content and presentation. Keep up the good work!
Sincerely,
Darren Evans
Yon Kyu: ShitoKan IsshinRyu
Thanks for your kind words Darren. Please give my best regards to Dr. Aiello. I've forwarded your request to Scott D., who is in charge of our "links" program. GEM
Sensei George:
This is just to thank you for all the valuable instructions you sharedwith us here in Bermuda. Hope you had a good flight back home. Yes it is still cold here in sunny Bermuda -smile.
I'll chat with you later, have a great day.
Best regards
Evroyd
I had a great time Evroyd. Thanks for the wonderful hospitality. GEM
Stephen Coniaris wrote:
Dear Mattson Sensei,
First allow me to thank you for the time and effort you have expended in the pursuit of the martial arts. We all thank you for your putting out one of the first quality books on karate.
I came across your web page (very nice job) and was moved to see if you and your students would be open to a friendship workout sometime in the summer of 2000. We are not looking to make money, draw on your fame nor 'steal your secrets' but only to get together with quality practitioners and share some training, make new friends. Shoshin Ryu means truthful heart tradition. This is where we are coming from. Our art has elements of both karate and jujutsu (weapons training also for yudansha). I think we would enjoy working with each other.
While I have not your years of experience -I have trained in Japan for the 3 months each year in japan (8 hrs per day) and lived in a Zen training temple. I mention this in hopes that our sincerity and honesty in a friendship workout is encouraged.
The training group would be small perhaps only 60 people. I hope you will concider our idea. Our national seminar is very simular in flavor it seems with your camp (lots of training, a variety of subjects and talks). I hope this is the beginning of a good friendship.
thanks you again for your time and effort,
sincerely
stephen coniaris
a senior student of Shoshin Ryu
Thanks for your very kind letter, Stephen. This year I'm scheduled to teach at 3 Summer camps and countless seminars. Your "friendship" workout sounds very interesting and I'm sure some of our students would attend. If you send me more specific information, I'll post it on our site. Depending on the date,I may be able to participate.
Thanks for thinking of me. GEM
More from Steve:
Dear Mattson Sensei,
Thank you for your prompt reply. I was mostly thinking of a meeting between our two groups. I will certainly keep you in mind if another special group comes along. I would ask if you have a senior student who might want to 'lead' or organize for your group?
If a few of your students would like to attend a small workout (about 60 practitioners) in Albuquerque, NM - July 14-18 I think I can arrange it. Classes go from 9 am to 10 pm. The cost is $300 for all transportation, housing, food, and training. I can assure you that they will be well looked after and made to feel welcome. Once again thanks for all you have done for US karateka.
enjoy the journey,
steve coniaris
rachelle mckenzie wrote:
Dear Sensei,
Could you or any one else please provide me with the names of our katas with their english translations.
Thank you in advance,
Spuds
Hi "Spuds": You should be posting your questions on the "Dojo Roundtable" forums. This way, you only get my input. Anyway, for what its worth: Sanchin: (3 modes or conflicts... interesting legend that goes with this name) Konshiwa: ( named for Kanbun Uechi and Shushiwa. Used to be Konchobu when Kanbun's teacher was known as Shushabu) Seichin: (Combination of elements of Seisan and Konchin.... I think) Seisan: (number 13) Seiryu (combination of elements of Seisan and Sanseiryu) Kanchin (Kanbun Uechi and Sanchin I think) Sanseiryu: (the number 36) Superempi: (The number 108) Hope this helps to start your investigation. More help I'm sure can be found on the forums, from people who have researched the subject more than I have. GEM
===========
Martín Rodolfo Gonzaléz wrote:
Dear Sir, I have practiced Shotokan Karate when I was younger for a short period of time and therefore the knowledge I have regarding Karate training is very small. Well, I wanted to start training again but this time I would like to take up Uchy Ryu Style of Karate but I have some doubts that I wonder if you could answer me about training. I have chosen to write after I had read your article ragarding Karate training and conditioning of the body in Karate. I would like to know what safety measures are taken during the sparring sessions and what safety measures are taken when practicing with weapons and if there is any kind of "sparring session" with Kobudo weapons. Thank you in advance, yours sincerely
Martin.
Thanks for writing Martin and good luck with your new Uechi training. I'll try to answer your questions: 1. If you make sure you have a qualified instructor, he/she will insure that you will spar safely. In my dojo, we use a lot of what I call "soft" sparring, where attackers use "unfocused" techniques. That way, if a move 'gets in', your partner (or you) won't get hurt. This type of sparring gives the defender an opportunity to work on defensive techniques with minimum risk. 2. As you advance in Uechi-ryu, your body will become strong and you will be able to take pretty strong body blows. Your teacher is the best judge of when you will be able to safely enter into 'harder' matches. 3. Uechi-ryu does not have weapons. Many dojo incorporate weapon systems from other styles. You will have to ask individual dojo their policy regarding this issue.
Hope I have been of some help. Again, good luck with your search. GEM
Mr. Mattson,
My instructor studied in Okinawa during the early 60's. His instructors' name was Seiko Toyama. His name is Lewis Snake and he was stationed in Okinawa while he was in the army. My name is Ken Anderson.
I do not teach a true pure Uechi-Ryu but our schools have always held the tenets of the Uechi Ryu close to our hearts and our training. I do teach the history of Uechi Ryu to my students according to the book "The Encyclopedia of Karate and Related Arts" written by Ted Kresge. I also teach many of the forms from Uechi Ryu the way my instructor taught them to me.
My question is this. On your web page it shows the Emblem "stones" with only one "stone" on top. The emblem that my instructor has taught me is the one for Uechi Ryu has two "stones" at the top to signify constant motion in an ever changing world. I am curious which way is proper?
Respectfully,
Ken Anderson
I don't recall any Lewis Snake being on Okinawa during the period of time you refer to. There are quite a few followers of Ted Kresge, however, who taught during this period of time. I'd appreciate learning more about Mr. Snake and whether he was graded during his studies on Okinawa. Regarding the emblem. . . the version with "2 stones" on top is incorrect. This version was taken off my first book "The Way of Karate". . . the publisher made the mistake of copying the emblem wrong. There is only one version that is correct, with the single "stone" on top.
Where do you teach?
Looking forward to hearing from you. GEM
More from Mr. Anderson:
Mr. Mattson,
My instructor Lewis G. Snake trained in Okinawa from about 1960 until 1965. He was stationed in Okinawa as a member of Special Forces Green Berets. He was awarded his Sho-Dan in 1965 in the town of Miyagi a suburb of Yafuso. I know that he fought in Viet Nam but he tells me that most of his time was spent in Okinawa. He really doesn't talk of it much.
I teach at my home in Midwest City, Oklahoma. I have studied with several instructors and have gained much from them. Some of the styles that I have studied include Isshin Ryu, Tae Kwon Do, Ju Jitsu, Moo Duk Kwan, Uechi Ryu and Ninjitsu.
I currently am the President of the association my sensei founded in 1973. All of our instructors teach in their homes in the tradition of senseis past.
We are not a large association with only 8 instructors. Our low number of instructors is due to the fact that we have never gone public and we are very selective of who we teach. I have one instructor in Illinois stationed there by the US Air Force and have one instructor currently in college in Stillwater. So we are starting to spread out a little and hopefully this will give us a better base to work with. As I said in my earlier letter, we do not teach all of the Uechi Ryu forms but we do rely heavily on the ones we teach. The forms we teach are Sanchin and Kanchabo. We do have plans to teach Seisan and Seisan Ni along with our other forms from the Korean style of Moo Duk Kwan. We run the risk of having too many forms and I believe that it is better to concentrate on a small number and master them, rather than to try and learn several and only skim the surface of what the masters intended for us to learn from each kata.
I have read your book "The Way of Karate" and enjoyed it immensely. In fact it is required reading in our schools. It took me a long time to finally find a recent copy of it but it was well worth the effort. I look forward to talking to you more in the very near future.
We hold our roots to Uechi Ryu very dearly and incorporate many of the training techniques that Sensei was taught by Sensei Toyama and Master Uechi. I appreciate your answering my letter so quickly. Thank You.
Ken Anderson
"Agnčs LOPEZ" wrote:
I do not know at all if I send this message to the right person, but I hope it is the case. Indeed I desperatly look for description of the different katas... I just begin Karate and I like to train at home. Isn't it possible to get free katas description (drawings or pictures) through the net? I thank you very much for your help.
Bye bye
Billye
The Uechi web would not be the place to look for basic kata description. Most of our participants visit our site to learn *about* the art and variations in training methods, philosophy and attitudes, not to actually learn the basic kata. By all means continue to visit our site and participate in the many forums available. But don't forget that your training begins and ends in the dojo. Best, GEM
Dear Mr. Mattson: Would you be kind enough to explain what are the requirements for Jr. Black Belt? Thank you very kindly. Susan St. Thomas
Hi Susan: The Jr. BB test is essentially the same as the one given for adults. We don't expect to see the strength at this level however. At 16, or at whatever age the student is ready for adult testing, he/she must be retested, using adult standards. Generally, NAC leaves the standards for Jr. ratings up to the individual regions. Hope this helps. GEM
George,
Several of the parents asked me about renting videos. At first I didn't like the idea, but later it occurred to me that *some* money might be better than none. Do you have a rental plan?
On the other hand, if they borrow it for free and like it, will they buy it? I loaned VideoMag #17 to a parent and am waiting to see. Price?
MFH
I don't want to get into rentals Michael. Generally rentals apply to movies or subjects that are watched once. Most people use instructional tapes more than once and over a lengthy time period. Rentals of such a tape would probably mean that the person would copy it. . . essentially getting the tape for a small fee. Good for the student, bad for us.
I would recommend setting up a payment plan, that would be part of the student's tuition. For instance: 1. Join dojo, receive Black Belt Test Guide. (build into reg. fee) 2. Upon completing 3 month, receive tape # 17. (built into tuition plan. incentive to continue) 3. Upon completing 6 months, receive Uechi-ryu Karate Do. GEM
I need advise How do i get rid of that feeling of fear? what excersises are there? please list them;
Ace
My advice is to ask your instructor first. Secondly, do a little research on the subject of fear by visiting Van Canna's forum on Dojo Roundtable. Van has some very excellent advice on the subject and a couple of books which might be of help to you. Good luck GEM
Dear Mr. Mattson,
I am hoping that you may be able to give me some advice about begining karate training. I have a backround in shorindo kenpo and shotokan totaling several years. I have not studied in quite some time. I have decided to begin training again and started to research styles. I obtained a copy of your book THE WAY OF KARATE and was impressed by your views on karate and Uechi-ryu karate. I than began looking for a school near by. I could not find a Uechi-ryu school or even any okinawan styles at all. Most of the schools instructors claimed to teach hybrid styles or wanted to give me a hard sale with a long contract. I am only interested in a traditonal style that focuses on both basic self defense as well as spiritual aspects of the martial arts. My problem is the only acceses I have to Uechi-ryu at this time is trough the use of books and or videos. Do you think that these tools can be of value to me at this time. and if you could give any suggestions to further my training I would appreciate it very much.
Sincerely, James W. Applegate Jr.
Interesting dilemma James, one that many people around the world have. My recommendation is to first try and find a reputable dojo nearby. Failing that, try to learn via video tapes and books. With your background, you should be able to make the transition without too much difficulty. I've created a number of instructional videos (Found on Books & Products section on the Uechi-ryu site). Start out by trying to learn Sanchin with Vidmag #17. This tape consists of seminars I conducted, that stressed the basics of Uechi-ryu. Once you have this foundation down, you should be able to progress by learning the other kata, bankai and kumite that is available by video.
As part of this service, I will review tapes you send of yourself performing the kata, and will offer suggestions on how to improve. I also highly recommend that you attend our annual camp on Cape Cod, where your progress can be critiqued by seniors in our organization. Hope this has been of some help. GEM
Dear fellow martial artists,
I'm concerned about a martial arts organisation I last trained with over a year ago which was being run like a cult instead of a sports organisation. I wondered if anyone else had come across similar groups.
I have studied six styles of martial arts in London and the Southeast of Great Britain, and no others displayed the same types of behaviour. I wondered if perhaps I had only recognised the signs because I have also spent time researching splinter religions and cults.
These 'symptoms' of cult behaviour are: Taking an individual away from their family and social life; using up all their spare time and money; introducing techniques using hypnosis or without proper physical preparation which could result in injury; belittling and debunking students and teachers of other styles while basing their own style on techniques taken from them; takeover bids to classes teaching other styles to expand the organisation; over-emphasis on fawning, grovelling, (call it what you like) being treated as general dogsbody to the organisation leader which was not linked to normal dojo respect. For example, when he hadn't packed in time to catch a plane after a training tour, dragging trainees into his room to pick up and pack his and his wife's underwear and toiletries. Amusing, but also an abuse of position.
Gradings had no form or discipline and it was joked that you could get one if you brought enough doughnuts for the Sensei. Demonstrations arranged for an evening at a sports centre resulted in the inner circle clique of black and brown belts being called in to a last-minute meeting at the centre which went on for two hours where they argued, smoked some pot, and then cancelled and went home. It boasted of having no professional or sporting application, and focused on killing techniques and mass rioting or affray. Like religious cults, they showed great interest in new recruits until they had paid their membership and were 'in' - after that, you were simply a number while more recruits were scavenged from other classes or brought in as friends and relatives.
My personal experience was from a Ninjutsu class which was then taken over by this organisation. When on a training course abroad, I got pregnant by one of the brown belts, who offered to pay for an abortion I hadn't asked for. I kept the baby, and since being two months pregnant heard from neither the baby's father or the rest of the organisation. They closed ranks on me completely - which was even more difficult because some of them were co-workers of mine who had talked me into joining their club a year earlier after finding out that I had studied martial arts before. Nobody would tell me if there was a class or wanted to teach me, although I had access to many reports on training during pregnancy. I admitI expected very little in terms of support or interest, but not total alienation. Some of the class members I had been very good friends with and the kind of mass disacknowledgement I experienced was very hurtful. I was not sorry to be out of the organisation but sorry to lose the friends I had, which in essence it what a cult does - you can't associate with members if you aren't one. Now I have a nine-month-old baby and I am considering going back to train somewhere else, but the experience has put me off just a bit. I'm 27 and first trained in Judo aged 13, where in contrast everything was healthy and normal - what concerns me is whether this way of running a dojo or organisation is a new phenomenon and considered to be valid, in which the definition between sport and cult has been entirely lost, or if it's not, why some sort of martial arts governing body hasn't opened or investigated?
This problem has concerned me since I first got pregnant, which was about six weeks after the initial takeover of our dojo, and I haven't spoken of it until now as I was worried that whatever I said would be dismissed as symptomatic of raging hormones! :) Seriously though - I would like to hear from anyone with similar experiences, and if anyone wants further information on the organisation involved please E-mail me.
Take care,
Lisa
Sorry to learn of your bad experiences with what sounds like a "dojo from Hell!" I'll request that Bill Glasheen post your letter on his "Dojo Roundtable" forum. Please check in to hear what some of the most senior and most respected martial art teachers and students have to say. I've written about this problem in the past. Generally students who have been abused by a cult, find it very difficult to talk about it or to take action against such criminal actions. Please read our Code of Conduct and Ethics in the NAC Charter section of the Uechi web. Our organization take these matters very seriously. GEM
More from Lisa:
Mr. Mattson:
Thank you for your quick response! I was very relieved to hear that someone else shared my views on this abuse of students and the martial arts system. I have read your Code of Conduct & Ethics site with interest and feel that as well as the organisation I trained with appearing to run on almost the exact opposites in every respect, you have included some important points particularly surrounding the transport and training of minors which I have not come across before. It was very well considered and I'm sure a lot of clubs in the UK would benefit from taking note of these. I look forward to reading the responses at the Dojo Roundtable, and I hope other students who have similar sufferings are encouraged to speak up and do something about it.
Sincerely,
Lisa
"Maria G. Olivas" wrote:
hi george,
nice to hear you are doing so well, per usual, you business maven. i have just changed jobs, so am a bit crazy, also have started my own bodywork business doing deep muscle re-education for triathletes, musicians [including taiko drummers] and people w/arthiritis and carpal tunnel syndrome.
will do the survey this week.
ciao,
AMaria G. Olivas
Thanks for writing Maria. So pleased to hear that you are busy in the 'fitness' business. Hope you will be able to join us at camp one of these years and conduct a couple of seminars. (I'm especially interested in the Taiko Drumming)
Best, GEM
Mr. Glasheen sensei: Thank you for your reply and the picture, which you sent to us. It was very interesting to us to see it. We’ll try to dispatch to you our picture in the next letter.
If you wish to visit Moscow we’ll be very glad to see you and we’ll do as much as possible to make your stay in our city pleasant.
You asked about VCR - we have it.
We understand that it’s almost impossible to study karate from Sensei who lives far away, but it’s the only hope for us to learn the real style. We began to study martial arts 5 years ago, when we came to dojo of Shotokan where we met each other. We spent 2,5 years in studying this style and we had the 5th ku of it. (Vica took part in the competitions and took the second place in the Moscow championship.) Then we realized that it wasn’t the real martial art and our belt meant nothing in a life situation.
After that we could find the style of Okinawa-te - Sindoryu-Sidjuitikai, which was represented in Russia by Sensei Valeriy Maistrovoy. Due to our training we have understand what is Okinawa-te and what a huge difference lies between Okinawa-te and other martial arts. We passed two examinations and was attested to 7th ku.
Our program for 8th ku was: physical conditions, some zuke and uke from shiho-dachi, mae-geri from zenkutzu-dachi and kata Sandjugo; for 7th ku: some new zuke from shiho-dachi, zuke and uke from zenkutzu-dachi, some new kicks from zenkutzu-dachi and neko-ashi-dachi, kata Sanjugo and Pinan-nidan, kihon-kumite-age-uchi-gedan-borai-uke, kihon-kumite-soto-uke and dju-ippon-kumite.
We trained in men’s group and during our training our partners were men. We worked in kukie and tangonho, prepared for and passed the examinations in the couples with them. But all of these we got by many debates and conflicts, because the opinion of Sensei Maistrovoy was inability of woman to fight in kumite. Finally we were losed the possibility to have the training in the right way. It was one of the reasons why we decided that it was impossible to us to contact with those people.
We were looking for Okinawa-te for a long time: we were talking with many representatives of different styles of martial arts, studying much literature, writing letters. We decided that the absence of any other branches of Okinawa-te in Russia can’t be a reason to stop study it. That is why when we could find a page of Uechi-ryu in the Internet, we made up our mind to write to Sensei Mattson, because we don’t imagine our life without karate.
Now we begin to write about ourselves separately.
Elena: I’m 23 years old. I’m a post-graduate in department of mathematics at Moscow Pedagogical State University. As for e-mail "vvd" in the address are initials of my step-father.
Victoria: I’ll be 19 soon. At this moment I study in Moscow State University on the faculty of mechanics and mathematics on the third year. As physical training in the University I study athletics.
We’ll wait for your answer.
With sincere respect,
Elena Kireeva and Victoria Domnikova.
Hi George this is Graham Frank do you remember me? Im Keith Franks son. We still owe you a lunch form last summer when you brought us to that restront. I found this e-mail address at your web site. I gave dad it to so he will e-mail you to it is:
mooin@net1plus.com
were you there when Jim Malony took for ever to give dads Indian name and he finaly came up with mooin (Bear) and tolled dad then I asked what my name would be and he quikly sed little mooin. Well got to go.e-mail back.
Graham Frank
I would like to know the dates of the Summer Camp '99. They are not listed on the website.
Arigatoo!
July 30 - Aug 1st, 1999: All the information has been updated on the Camp/Festival site. GEM
Hi Sensei,
I noticed while checking your instructors list that you have my old email addr listed. it is now karate@glinx,com Could you please change it on your list when time allows. Thanks
Bub Pelham
Is it possible to find a good book or video with the uechi ryu katas. I'm actually a student of TAKAYATSU Sensei, and I want to study at home.
Thank you for answering.
Ivan
Check "Book and Products" section. GEM
Dear Mr. Mattson,
Could you please send us (or refer us to) information regarding Uechi-Ryu use of nunchakus in katas. Could you recommend books, videos, or any other information pertaining to this subject. I am also interested in the bo (actually, any weapons used in Uechi-Ryu, history etc.).
My son has been taking Uechi for over two years, he is currently a brown belt, and enjoys it very much. Your contributions to this web site have been very helpful, and I (and my family) enjoy it very much. Thanks,
Julie Kelley
There are no formal weapons in Uechi-ryu. Many teachers and students learn traditional Okinawan weapons from the other dojo on Okinawa. I've seen many variations of kata taught in Uechi dojo, based on where the teacher learned the kata. We always have many seminars at camp dealing with traditional Okinawan weapons, including Kimo Wall's famous weapon demonstrations and clinics. Why not plan to join us this year? GEM
George,
Just thought you might like to know for your instructor list that my instructor is: Paul Natzyl 5th Dan Rayleigh,Essex England. Tel no:01277 229538
Jamie Cockburn
George,
I wanted to make sure you knew of Master Gushi's visit to my area, and to make doubly sure you were invited. The workout is open to all who are interested. You are welcome to stay at my house. I am enclosing a flyer in word format. I hope it will print out without a problem, and you will post it where you think it is appropriate.
I posted it on the Forums in the Events section. GEM
Dear George:
It's a pleasure to see this site. Good work!
I'm trying to locate an instructor I had in Sacramento in the late 70's, Michael Bragg. I had brief contact with him in the late 80s, but lost touch again. Michael went into the Army in the 1978 to get to Okinawa and study, which he did. I remember that he was in Germany in the late 80s.
Do you have any contact information for him now?
Yours Truly,
John Hedtke
I can't help you John, but I bet someone on the web will know his whereabouts. GEM
Sensei Mattson,
I recently read some information on a summer camp in Nova Scotia on your web site. I can't remember where on your site that information was located (I have looked all over.) and would like very much to attend. One side of my family is from Nova Scotia and I would like to combine the summer camp with a trip to meet some of my extended family. Can you please direct me to the information.
Thank You,
John Scully
p.s. I was at your summer camp last year and will be there again this year. Can't wait!
Go to the Forums and check under "Events". GEM
GEM Sensei:
I have enjoyed the forums greatly. Would you please show me on your intructors list @ Kingston---Kingston Athletic and Fitness CEnter, Kingston, Ma.
I tried to register my rank/belt as well, but it appeared this portion of the site was not working.
JOHN THURSTON
Will do John. Sorry about the registration form. I fixed it today! GEM
Sensei Mattson,
I have recently relocated from Illinois to Laramie, WY. Please update your instructor list to reflect my new location:
Keith Marcott (Nidan) (307) 745-7474 (work) (307) 721-9570 (home)
George, How are you doing? Travelling a lot it seems.
I may be wrong, but a gool guess where the TKD money comes from is from the following Senate Bill. All it takes apparently is to be a national organization and some legwork. I reckon this is where sticking together has its advantages. Later, Kevin
Title IV - Preventing Youth Crime
Subtitle A - Grants to Youth Organizations
S.9
Safe Schools, Safe Streets, and Secure Borders
Act of 1999 (Introduced in
the Senate)
SEC. 4002. GRANTS TO NATIONAL ORGANIZATIONS.
(a) APPLICATIONS-
(1) ELIGIBILITY- In order to be eligible to
receive a grant under this section, the chief operating officer of a national or statewide community-based organization shall submit an application to the Attorney General in such form and containing such information as the Attorney General may reasonably require.
(2) APPLICATION REQUIREMENTS- Each application
submitted in accordance with paragraph (1) shall include--(A) a request for a grant to be used for the purposes described in this subtitle;
(B) a description of the communities to be served by the grant, including the nature of juvenile crime, violence, and drug use in the communities;
(C) written assurances that Federal funds received under this subtitle will be used to supplement and not supplant, non-Federal funds that would otherwise be available for activities funded under this subtitle;
(D) written assurances that all activities will be supervised by an appropriate number of responsible adults;
(E) a plan for assuring that program activities will take place in a secure environment that is free of crime and drugs; and
(F) any additional statistical or financial information that the Attorney General may reasonably require.
(b) GRANT AWARDS- In awarding grants under this section, the Attorney General shall consider-- (1) the ability of the applicant to provide the stated services; (2) the history and establishment of the applicant in providing youth activities on a national or statewide basis; and (3) the extent to which the organizations shall achieve an equitable geographic distribution of the grant awards.
Sensei,
This may or may not be the best time to forward this question but as time slips by details must be attended.
You graciously accepted an invitation to a seminar with Professor Wally Jay, Master Gerorge Dillman andProfessor Remy Presas. I would like to explain what I am going to try to accomplish and that is to further the great work of these three men as pioneers in 3 major Arts to one training ground to advance and tear down barriers that separate too many Martial Artists. As you have been a Pioneer of the Arts and one of the first supporters of "Cross Training" with open arms to all Practitioners and Organizations there would be a major void without you in attendance. I also believe that the generosity and direction you have given totally to through the years be Honored and Recognized for the great body of work it is! Sir, may I have your permission to include your Name and Art as a Very Special Guest?
After the seminar we will be having a Banquet and several demonstrations with Master level practitioners. I have been in contact with Sensei Gary Khoury and he has graciously agreed to develop a demonstration of Uechi at the event (A tribute to your formation of American Uechi) . Other Masters such as Sensei Ed MeLaugh (as a tribute to Professor Wally Jay's Small Circle Jujitsu), Sifu Alix Lavaud (as a tribute to Professor Remy Presas' Modern Arnis), Myself (as a tribute to Master George Dillman's resurrection of Kyusho).
We will hold a special room at the Rolling Green in Andover Massachusetts for Friday November 12th and Saturday November 13th for You and Mrs.. Mattson as our Honored Guests attending the Seminar, Banquetand Special Award Ceremonies.
This May be a once in a lifetime opportunity for such a Historically Significant Gathering. Please let me know if this is agreeable and if you will so Honor this event.
Humbly Yours,
Evan Pantazi
I'd be honored Evan. Thanks. GEM
Dear,Mr.Mattson
Hi,My name is Michael Kashtan age 11 IM a student of Mr.Morgan's class last year I was in Ed Decosta's class from Mass he took Uechi ryu too know IM in New Hampshire because I moved. I have a brown belt with 2 black stripes and you are going to be testing me and Steve Mr.Morgan's son for our Black Belts in June or some thing so this is going to be the first time I will meet you.
I have been taking Karate for 6 years going on to my 7th year.I am going to the tournament this May the 22 so ill meet you there to.Ill be sparing and doing Sassoon at the Tournament. if you dot have a lot of time can you Email me.. . . . ok so E-mail me if you can bye see you at the tournament.
Dear Mr. Mattson, My name is Kathy Kashtan, My son Michael sent you an e-mail last Friday, I just wanted to thank- you for getting back to him so quickly, he was so excited to hear from you! He is very dedicated and commited to his training.
I am so proud of him.
He began Karate when he was five years old, every Saturday for three years we were at the dojo, and then twice a week for the last three and half years. His sensai was Ed Decosta from N. Attleboro, Mass., we are now living in New Hampshire and Steve Morgan is his sensai now, he has learned alot from him, he is an excellent teacher. He talks alot about you to the kids, so that's why Michael was so excited to hear from you.
When he e-mailed you he told you he was going to be tested in thespring. he isn't going to try until the fall. He is very nervous and wants to train a little more first. Thank-you again, Kathy Kastan
Hi George,
Dan Kelly wrote:
I took classes at the downtown Boston dojo then switched to Braintree (it was run by two Braintree police officers don't remember thair names) The instructors were Forrest Sanborn and Carmine DiRamio. Forrest unfortunately passed away in 1984 and the school is located in Quincy and is now now run by Jack Summers and Ray Adelsberg. As I understand, Carmine is still active in Uechi circles but I am not sure where he now teaches.Forrest was a lieutenant in the Braintree police force. Carmine did retire from the Quincy PD.
These were two very god instructors and I miss both of them!
Mike & Carol DeDonato
Hello Sensei Mattson,
Mike Currie here from the Truro Uechi-ryuate club in Nova Scotia. I recently started teaching in Stewiacke N.S. I am contacting you to see if I could purchase a photo of both Kanbun and Kanei Uechi to hang in my dojo. Please let me know how to go about doing this.
Thank-you in
advance, Mike Currie
Go to Books and Products. The portraits can be found there. GEM
Hello,
Please send me the information on the May competition. Both my 10 year old son and I study Uechi-ryu.
Also my son is interested in sparring in the open and Uechi divisions. Is scheduling available that would permit this?
The problem with entering both tournaments is timing. If you miss your call, you lose the match! Sorry. GEM
Re: Bermuda Trip. . .
Hi George,
From the looks of the pictures, you must have had a really terrible time there!! : )
Two questions - was that Margaret Chojin in the large picture and what type of footwear do you practice in? Any problems with the footwear?
Best,
Moe Mensale
Yes, Moe, it was tough looking out at the ocean every morning while having your morning tea! Yes, that is Margaret. The footwear is "Raintree". I use these soft shoes when working out in a public area. GEM
Dear Sensei Mattson:
I was planning on attending one of your visitors workout in Newton, however, I have been rehabbing an injured thumb. So, I've been somewhat restricted to working on kata. Does this present a problem for your classes? Also, I'm currently a green belt, are your Saturday classes for all ranks?
Thanks
Manuel Amorin
My Saturday class isn't the best one for you Manuel. All the students are either brown or black belts. Try my Natick class on Wednesdays or the Newton class on Mondays and Fridays. GEM
Dear Mr Mattson:
As I was browsing through the mail bag section, I ran across a web site address sent to you from Paul Haydu. I decided to check out the site. After reading the brief description on Uechi Ryu, I was absolutely amazed at how complete a Martial Art Uechi Ryu is. Unfortunately, I have not visited a dojo that teaches the complete system. As a Uechi Ryu student, I would like to also become proficient with locks, sweeps, and sticky hands. Any suggestions?
thanks
Mpa
Most of the Uechi teachers now teach these applications as part of their programs. Check out the camp this year to see what I'm talking about. GEM
Your link to:
Healing Arts Website does not work.
Do you have other links to recommend?:
By
Olof Svensson
Stockholm
The link is now working. Plus I've added a "wellness" site as well. Check them out. GEM
I received a telephone call this morning from sensei Roger Jarrett from West Virginia informing me of the passing of Sensei Thomas LaPuppet. Sensei LaPuppet had been fighting a terminal cancer for a number of years. Knowing how tough of a fighter he was, what has really happened, I think, was that he won the fight, and decided that it was a good time for him to get a little sleep.
I will never forget the number of push-ups and sit-ups followed by miles of running every morning during the training camps he taught. And his trademark practice of kicking old tires to develop the strength for ashibarai (foot sweep).
He was a man of honor, integrity, and honesty, and was respected by us all. My condolence goes to his family and his students, particularly his protege, Sensei Cedric Barksdale.
Gassho,
Akihiro Omi
Did you have a chance to look at my webpage?
Regards,
Patrick.
Patrick.Wauters@Belgium.sun.com
Uechi-Ryu Mechelen Dojo
p/a Patrick Wauters
http://users.skynet.be/uechi-ryu
Yes. Great job Patrick. GEM
Sir, I am a student of Gary Khoury, he showed me a site being developed at ... http://www.uechi-ryu.com/Khoury .... when will this address be active??
How about now!! Check it out. GEM
Master Mattson,
Thank you for your offer to post my message on your forum. I would be most grateful. Ironically I just visited your site a couple of weeks ago for the first time, and thoroughly enjoyed your website. I did not really see that particular forum though. At the time, I was looking for information on " The Way of Karate", as well as information on body conditioning. I anticipate that you endorse the "iron arm" training approach?
Anyway, thank you again, I am honored by your response.
Please feel free to post my message to your forum.
Best regards,
Paul Thoresen
Thoresp@bgnet.bgsu.edu
Paul Thoresen
http://ernie.bgsu.edu/~thoresp
"WEAPONS CONNECTION
15% GRAND OPENING SPECIAL"
Due to the overwhelming interest in our handcrafted weaponry, a new work shop had to be built. It took 4 months.
BONZAI !!
The new Weapons Connection work shop is finally into full swing. Thanks for your patients. Starting now through March 17, Weapons Connection is having a "Grand Opening" sale and giving an additional 15% discount off the current sale price.
"The finest handcrafted weapons in decades."
Check out the web page and look at the Weapons Connection Catalog sale prices at: http://members.aol.com/pmcarbone Click on "Weapons for Sale" and wait a few seconds for the pictures to download. SUPER SAVINGS ! For orders or Catalog request: Call: 248-347-4465. Leave a message and we will call back. or write Weapons Connection at: WEAPONS CONNECTION 8586 NAPIER NORTHVILLE, MI 48167 E-mail: carbonesan@teleweb.net http://members.aol.com/pmcarbone
Keep in touch.
Peter
"22nd Annual Spring Weapons Kobudo Camp"
On April 16,17 &18, 1999 hosted by: Kancho Shihan Peter M. Carbone, Hachi Dan (Kyoshi) Defensive Tactics Systems, Uchinadi, Okinawa kobudo Weapons taught: Jo, Kama, Nunchuku, Tonbo and Chizikunbo The student will be taught a kata with the
Dear Mr. Mattson,
Hi! It's me, Rachel. I got the registration form for the tournamnet on May 22, but I don't see a sparring division in which I could compete. I'll only be 17, so women black belt fighting is out. I thought girls 15-17 intermediate/advanced might be right, but last month when I competed in the Granite State Open, according to some international rules (I forget which) advanced does not include black belt. (But it was okay, because Mr. Dovidio made me my own division.) So which sparring division would I be in, as a 17 year old, female, black belt?
Thank you in advance for your help,
Rachel
I'll ask Gary Khoury to respond to your question Rachel. I believe that you will fight in the girls 15-17 int/adv., since this is the way we did it last year. GEM
Hi Mr Matson,
My name is Randy, I recently started A school in Coral Springs Fl. I am studing under Sensei Rick Potrekus. I would like to know how to get listed with the other Uechi Ryu- Pangainoon schools? If you you help please write me back...
Respectfully Randy Reiniger
George-
perhaps you will not know the answer to this,
but maybe you will have an idea. Jordan and a friend of his are thinking of doing an independent sport next fall rather than continue with soccer/football which neither of them is wild about. Jordan wants to do kendo (why I do not know!) and his friend wants to do fencing . I think that they should abserve some classes before deciding and wondered if you know where there is a reputable teacher in this area. Even if you can point me in a direction it would be helpful. Thanks so much.
Rena
I just saw the update at the website, and many thanks for placing it where all could easily see it:) Have a good night. I am off to visit my Qigong Teacher this week in San Francisco. Then off to NJ for a seminar, then off to Tennessee, then to your camp. I have a busy few months ahead of me:) . . .
Many thanks.
Rich and Kathryn Mooney
Hello George,
I am a former student of John Zachistal and was interested in getting back into karate, I never felt as good. I was wondering if there are any schools that you could recomend in the Boston area, I live in Medford.
Thanks,
Arthur
Try Ed Huff's dojo in Boston. He is located across the street from the old Boston Garden. GEM
Here's an analogy for you I hope you find amusing Tae-bo / cardio kickboxing in baseball terms: It is like watching a professional baseball player at batting practice hit them over the fence and thinking wow that is really neat, but it looks like it takes a lot of work. Your friend is convinced that if he / she picks up a bat (for the 1st time) and swings it a ten thousand times that would fun just imitating and pretending to hit it over the fence.
In turn, that person gets hundreds of other friends to start swinging the bat, because they like how big his / her arms are getting. Soon all those friends are convinced they can really swing that bat. One day someone challenges one of these individuals to hit one out of the park. Not knowing any better, and overconfident from a lack of discipline of what it really takes to HIT a ball the individual takes the challenge. How hard can it be? You just swing and there it goes!
Not only does the person have no aim to hit the ball, they can't believe the sting in their hands when they actually make contact with the ball (which of course never even comes close to the fence).
The real shocker comes when they actually get hit by a pitch. They think to themselves: "Wow that really hurt... It came at me so fast... I spent so much time swinging the bat I never learned how to get out of the way.
You can't keep swinging if you don't learn how to get out of the way first.
-Eric Rossini
2nd Dan Karate-Do
Hello friends!!
ah, spring is almost here...for those of us who live in places that get snow....hmmmmphfff.
Ok business, I am in the process of starting a Martial Arts Magazine focused towards the New England/Maritime area.Are there any suggestions from anyone?
Things are in the planning stages yet, but I was looking for any ideas to help serve the Martial Artists of the east coast. I am planning articles, interviews, ads (of course), event calendars, promotion info from subscribing clubs. That sort of thing. I have no idea what I should charge for it or any thing like that, however it will be reasonable. Who would be interested? What would you pay for a mag like that? Any input would be valuable...
we have any amazing array of talent on this side of the world, while it is true I am doing this as a business venture, I want to make it informative, and true to the styles it will represent.
Cheers.
Scott Taylor
Nova Scotia Uechi-Ryu
Hi !
I'm a 20 year old student in Berlin, and i'm looking for uechi ryu dojos in Germany. Can you help me, or can you give me a contact person in Germany? I would be very happy if you would find the time to answer me.
Bye Stephan Massing
I forwarded your letter to Bruce H. GEM
Good morning Mattson Sensei:
I just browsed your webpage again and once more had a good time reading all the informative information on it. Sensei, I have requested my webpage be added as a link under the Goju Sites, a couple of times. I have made this request from the links page, so perhaps I'm doing something wrong. I would appreciate it if you would consider adding my webpage when you guys get a chance.
My address is http://www.fishnet.net/~okigoju/
Thanks Sensei and have a great weekend.
Steve Wilson
Okinawan Karate Institute
Ventura, CA
Hello Mr. Mattson,
My name is Jackie Sullivan and I am a student of Sensei Gary Khoury's at his Uechi-ryu Karate dojo in Tewksbury. Let me begin by saying that your seminar there a number of weeks ago was fantastic -- I was able to pick up quite a few crucial hints to my study that I'm sure will prove to be fundamental in my training.
I am mailing you to request information about instructors elsewhere in the United States, Colorado specifically. Joining Mr. Khoury's dojo was one of the best decisions I ever made, and I will be eternally grateful for his instruction. Though I wince at the thought of leaving, a good friend of mine lives in Denver and I am seriously considering an extensive (6 months) trip to that area -- for a much-needed change of scenery and some personal introspection.
Regardless of all this, I wish to continue my training in Uechi-ryu until I return. In researching your list of instructors, the only dojo listed was that of Rose Dyer in Dolores, CO, which is a few hundred miles + from Denver. Is there any other dojo that you know of which would be closer to the Denver area, that for whatever reason may not be listed on your site? Or do you have any advice on how I might be able to research this myself?
I am looking forward to your reply. Thank you
very much for your time.
Sincerely,
Jackie Sullivan
Any dojo out there ? GEM
George: Remember me? I was your star pupil for 25 years. It's been awhile but I'll be coming to Boston in May for the summer and hope to see you in the dojo or on the links or, preferably, both. That is, if you know of a good acupuncturist in the Greater Boston area. If so, would you send me his or her name, address and phone number by E-mail. I need help.
I keep track of you via your Web pages. It's very interesting, informative and sometimes nostalgic. I really miss karate. I do the kata now and then but no kumite or bunkai, of course. Keep up the good work and my best to you, Susan, Mario, Harvey, Fedele, Steve Benson et al. Hope to hear from you soon.
Best,
Tim Horgan
Our own Uechi acupuncturist is located in your hometown Tim. Give Patrick Dumont a call: 617-484-7599. Tell him I sent you and he'll use the extra long needles! GEM
Sensei,
The newest member of the Uechi family was born on Sunday evening at 9:03PM. Weighing in at 8lbs, 3ozs, and 20 inches. Can't tell you how excited I am, so excuse me for sharing this with the rest of the world :-)
Yours in Budo,
Mike Murphy(the new dad)
Dear Sensei:
Would it be possible to obtain a copy (with estimated times) of all events on the tournament schedule? I should like to know which events/which divisions will be scheduled, and in what approximate time blocks.
As much as I might like to indulge my interest for the entire tourney, I fear my hours will be limited. Thus, my request... Many thanks. I hope to see you in Marlborough!
--Lenny Cavallaro
Depends on the number of entrants Lenny. We start on time at 9am and are hoping to let the black belts compete first. I have to check with Gary and Bap on this. Keep checking Gary's forum for updates. GEM
Dear sir,
My name is Paul Stockman ,webmaster of http://jitsu.com . i would be very interested in establishing alink exchange with your site , if this is of any interest please e.mail me admin@mail.jitsu.com .
Many Thanks
P.Stockman
Hi Sensei,
Great class last night. I will be back in two weeks for more. I guess I love the abuse. You mentioned that you'd want to pop in where I work. The address is 642 Providence Highway in Walpole Mass. It is at the intersection of Rte, 1 and 27 in Walpole. Exit 9 will get you there. The restaurant is Clyde's Roadhouse, steaks and ribs are their speciality, but they have pretty good fish and Mexican type dishes. Their number is 08-660-2206. Hope you can still stop in Friday. First round is on me.
Raffi
I got lost last Friday, but will try again tomorrow. Maybe a few other martial artist will show up and we can have a party!!! GEM
Tom Seabourne's Spring Schedule:
April 10th Dallas CSCS exam
April 17th Eating program Oklahoma
April 23-25 Orlando Mania
April 26th Cardiokickboxing video Ft. Lauderdale
May 6th Dallas Wellness Program
May 22nd Dallas Cardiokickboxing
May 23rd Houston Cardiokickboxing
June 6th Tampa Cardiokickboxing
June 7th Ft. Lauderdale Cardiokickboxing
June 12th Ms. Fitness Judge on Fox TV Kilgore, Tx.
June 25th - 27th Atlanta Mania
July 25th - 30th IDEA WORLD Las Vegas
BTW: <On June 12th, I will be a judge in the Ms. Fitness pageant to be televised on
Fox.
The promoters asked if I would like to "do something" as part of the show, so I may do a cardiokickboxing demo.
Anyone near by, please drop in a say hello to Tom and join in the workouts. And buy a book! GEM
Police in Radnor, Pennsylvania, interrogated a suspect by placing a metal colander on his head and connecting it with wires to a photocopy machine. The message "He's lying" was placed in the copier, and police pressed the copy button each time they thought the suspect wasn't telling the truth. Believing the "lie detector" was working, the suspect confessed.