Looking for your Point of View!
Your mentioning on the "What's New" page about
finding the video tapes, of the 1984 trip to China in search of
Uechi-ryu's roots, reminded me of some questions I have been
meaning to ask you. The following info is copied from a
chronology that appears on the Brandon (FL) Shubukan Uechi-ryu
web site:
"1897...Kanbun...comes under the wing of Shushabu..."
"1966...Kanei, Ryuko, and other members of the Uechi Karate
Association visit Taiwan and meet with Chinese kenpo experts to
discuss the origins of Pangainoon. As a result, it is mistakenly
believed that 'Shusshabu" was a variant pronunciation, due
to differences in local dialect, of 'Shushiwa', a famed kenpo
teacher from Fuchow."
"1984...Kanei, Ryuko, Kansei, and other members of the Uechi
Karate Association visit Fuchow City, Fukien Province, China to
retrace Kanbun's life there and the origins of Uechi-ryu. It
becomes apparent that Shusshabu and Shushiwa were different
individuals."
Admittedly, I have not contacted the maintainers of the Brandon
web site to ask them, but the chronology seems to say that:
Shusshabu and Shushiwa were two different people, with Shusshabu
being the teacher of Kanbun; the 1984 trip proved that Shushiwa
was not the teather of Kanbun; and Uechi dojo should not display
pictures of Shushiwa as Kanbun's teacher. What is your
opinion/knowledge of this apparent contridiction? I know that
within Uechi-ryu, the name of Kanbun's teacher was once spelled
something similar to Shusshabu and that Kanshiwa was once spelled
something similar to Kanshabu. How did the name Shusshabu get
introduced into Uechi history? How did Shushiwa? Do you think
they are the same person? Does the Uechi family? Is there any
evidence that Shushiwa was not Kanbun's teacher? Could Shushiwa
truly have been the great master of Pangainoon that Kanbun found
considering he was only four years older than Kanbun (i.e., about
24 when they met)? Just some thoughts/questions that I could use
some enlightenment on. Thanks.
Glenn Humphress
th20405@ltec.net
Lincoln, NE
Saw a post on the
Shushiwa/Shushabu who is who.....well I was calling Master
Tomoyose to say Happy New Year so we talked about it, I am
submitting this to clear up the myths of who is who...based on my
talks with Master Tomoyose. Based on our talks, Shushiwa and
Shushabu is the same person, it is a matter of regional or
Chinese dialects that account for the name change. Also, the
picture of Shushiwa is fine to be in "Uechi" dojos...it
is our roots if you will.
As far as Shushiwa being to young to teach or be a
"Master" when only a few years older then Kanbun, one
must remember that Shushiwa was also a Master of other Martial
arts..a man of many talents if you will and he had been training
from a very early age, unlike Kanbun who was thought to be
"old" when he began his training....so I hope this
answers the questions.
Also Master Tomoyose wishes all students a very Happy New
Year!!!!
Take Care,
Mark
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