I've heard somewhere that another reason to pronounce it u-etch-ee-reeu (I'm not sure about this so don't bet money on it) is that u-etch-ee is the formal/high class/honorific pronunciation and u-ay-chee is the informal/low class/common pronunciation. A high class and a low class person could both ...

I think the safest way to pronounce it is the first way I noted above: u-etch-ee-reeu. This is the way I've always said it, and I've heard Japanese pronounce it this way too. Sometimes you hear Japanese pronouncing uechi as: u-ay-chee, but I think they are getting a little cute with the language ...

I think part of the problem is that the western tongue cannot pronounce u-e as separate sounds. So instead of u-e or u-ay, they say we or way. I think it is insulting to a Japanese person to pronounce uechi without sounding the u.

I think, though, that some people might pronounce it in other ways. One other possible way is: u(as in Sue)-ay(as in hay)-chee(as in cheetah)-reeu(ee as in teeth, u as in Sue - some people deemphasize the ee sound so that you hardly hear it; so: u-ay-chee-r(ee)u). When people pronounce it this way ...

u(as in Sue)-etch(as in sketch)-ee(as in teeth)-reeu(ee as in teeth, u as in Sue). There is no strong accent on any syllable.

John F. Kennedy Jr., the last of the larger-than-life superstars, there may never be another quite like him again.

Ron Goldman, a genuine real-life hero, who paid the ultimate price.

Victor, I think I'm beginning to see your dilemma. Ishinnryu is so full of innovations that it is doubly difficult for you to see the applications, or you may even feel that the correct applications have been lost through so many adpatations. I noticed this the first time I went on Donnelly sensei's ...

Victor, thank you for the isshin-ryu website with the isshin-ryu kata frames. This is a style that I've never seen before, and this was very interesting. The lineage with other Okinawan styles, for example, Nagamine sensei's shorin school, is obvious. But I'm shocked at some of the differences in ...

Sat, I think you might be referring to the "red sand palm", a quasi-mythical technique. I think the Chinese name might be fu-something or other.

Lee, I've never taken kendo, but I've heard that if you get real serious about kendo, then any object that you can hold firmly in your hand and which projects at least 3 in. (for example a rolled up newspaper, or just your hand if nothing else is available) becomes a weapon that can be used with ...

I think there is a misunderstanding about kata here. Although the self-defense applications are certainly in there, they are often hidden or disguised or difficult to see because kata is art first and foremost. The comparison with music is apt because the classic katas are inspired compositions just ...

Well, for karate people over 40 the flying double kick is, by necessity, a kick, but for young folks I think this an area for exploration. Everybody can do katas and knock people out, but who can jump over someone? That would really be something to be proud of. But use some common sense here; don't ...

Victor, I have to disagree with you. I think after a certain amount of experience, say 20 yrs., a karate man can just look at a eequence in a magazine and know what's going on. I haven't actually tried that flying leap and ground slap, but from the 4a frame it looks like he's doing an all out jump ...

Hey, Victor. The 'flying leap and ground slap' series of movements, I interpret quite differently. Rather than a specific throwing application I see this as more of a physical conditioning and monotony-breaking series. Without this the form is as plain as rice gruel. So in addition to its obvious ...

In the current issue of Kung Fu Qigong Magazine (July/Aug 2001) there is an interesting article that relates to this topic of changing katas. On p. 33, the 34th generation Shaolin monk, Shi Guolin, demonstrates the first 19 movements of the Xiao Luohan form. Of course, this form could be done, as is ...