Uechi sparring from the Shimoji group of Tokyo.

[Sal Jaber]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0ep9Wzq3oUg

[Mark Brelsford]

Been to this same group, and won this tournament shortly after Kanei died in the mid 90's.

Went to the Tokyo with the then "Soke" group, which was then Master's Shirado, Toyama, Nakama, and Kanmei. Soke was then just starting to stand on its own after Kanei died. It was a decent group until Kanmei felt threatened by them all and threw them all out of “Soke”!

Interesting group, though, little different emphasis on sanchin, and kata. Kind of a strong group, back then, overall.

Not too friendly to gaijin though…. Sad…

Mark

[Van Canna]

Hi Sal,

Good seeing you at the Bob Campbell dinner party...and a great party it was with all those old friends in attendance...bout 150 people I thought.

In your upcoming trip to Okinawa/Japan/China...are you planning to visit this dojo?

One of my students, Seth, did visit and he liked it though a bit deviant from main stream Uechi.

Still practicing combat jiu-jutsu along with Uechi?

Be well, my friend.

[Sal Jaber]

Hello Van,

Good seeing you also, and yes, I am still practicing Japanese Jujutsu, BJJ and Judo. I plan on traveling next year to Hong Kong, Tokyo and Okinawa. I hope to visit as many Uechi dojos as possible. I like seeing and feeling different interpretations of Uechi Ryu. Our style has so much more to offer besides whats being shown and practiced in "typical" Uechi dojos. I've barely scratched the surface when it comes to Uechi, and discover new things daily in our kata, kumite and kihon. Things that both validate and question some of my previous assessments of our beloved Uechi Ryu. I'll keep you posted Van, and I hope to see you at next year's event.

Continued Success,

Sal Jaber
Uechi Ryu Karate-do
Atlanta, Ga.

[Van Canna]

Right on my friend, be well.