January, 1999 Mailbag
With John's permission, I'm reprinting some our private email exchange during last month. I asked him to post on the Forums, where many of his points are being discussed. Instead, he has given me permission to post where I felt the letters would reach the most people. GEM
I believe you are right on point with regard to dynamic tension within a given form
being safe, healthy and empowering. I come at the arts from a slightly different
perspective, namely, Hung Gar arguably the purest of the Shaolin martial arts which is
without argument the "Fountain Head" of most Asian martial arts. Having trained
the past 33 years in said system, inclusive of doing Tit Sin Kuen (Iron Wire Form) on a
daily basis I sit in my 40s fit, strong, flexible and with more power than when in my 20s.
The 20s were not so bad as I routinely went 375 in the flat back bench and 525 in the
squat at a body weight of 225 on a 5'11 3/4" frame. Today I stay at an iron hard 210
on a 5'10" frame (spinal compression via a number of years as a paratrooper and US
Army Special Forces soldier). I have seen numerous "Sanchin" forms and the only
derogatory comment I have concerning them is that it is obvious that the Japanese were
never given anything other than the most basic of true gung fu as contained in Shaolin.
The paths are very simple and appear in the training forms of novice gung fu students. It
seems a shame that the cultural hatreds of old were carried over to the martial arts.
Peace, good training & good health,
JFS
Hello George,
With regard to body conditioning [Dec '98 Mailbag] there are a number of Chinese martial
arts techniques that are echelons above anything ever transmitted to the proponents of
"Karate" which is really just very diluted and low brow gung gu. Not the least
of the above-referenced methods is Iron Vest training. People tend to get hung up on
esoteric and arcane mystical crap when they hear the word "internal". Internal
training means exactly that, the training effect takes place internally. Rather than
exercise muscle tissue, which requires the muscle undergoing a process of various fibers
recruited in order to cause the change in lever arm occur, these fibers fatiguing and
other fibers within the same muscle being recruited to continue the movement, internal
training uses an entirely different stress inducing and adaptive (compensatory) producing
method. By way of brief introduction: 30 years training Hung Ga (Closed Door Disciple of
the current Grandmaster and former Chief Instructor of the Chinese Free Masons), 25 years
concurrent training in Kwong Sai Jook Lum Tong Long Pai (Southern Praying Mantis) under a
former disciple of Grandmaster Gin Foon Mark, ex-paratrooper XVIIIth Airborne Corps,
Ft.Bragg, NC, former US Army Special Forces soldier (7th Special Forces Group (Airborne)).
To some degree I have kind of been there done that. Drop me a line if you are interested
in internal conditioning that easily surpasses the minor methods suitable for children
that you reference in your article. Good training and good health,
JFS
Greetings:
I am playing with a "Snappy" camera that should enable me to transmit images in
virtual real time. Perhaps you would be interested in"seeing" some of the
systems that I referred to in previous e-mail. From what little I know of the arts outside
of Shaolin I believe that what is commonly called Sanchin in karate has existed for
several hundred years in the Southern Praying Mantis Family, both in Kwong Sai Jook Lum
Tong Long Pai and Chu Gar Tong Long as "3 Steps Forward" and "3 Step Arrow
Fist" respectively. 3 Step is a foundation energy work system that concentrates on
"sealing" the acupuncture points on the inside of the arms, develop gonad
lifting ability (secure them as they resided prior to dropping post-birth) as well as
introduce the first type of energy emission (fajing) which basically follows the pathway
from the lower tan tien, momentarily stored (compressed at the armpits) and then
transferred through the arms & out of the hands. Within the Chu Gar system 3 Step also
promotes a "hardening" of the abdomen region, arm pits and throat well. The
breathing method is referred to (sometimes) as percentage breathing. This is simply the
practice of compressing a full lower tan tien focused breath, and then exhaling a certain
amount per move (generally 1/3 in 3 Step). More bang per buck so to speak. At any rate,
peace, good training and good health.
John
Greetings George and Happy New Year:
I tend to agree with your position on "roots" however, the Chinese community is
certainly no valid candidate for sainthood on the matter or closing off those who desire
and train to know. By way of example I have trained in Kwong Sai Jook Lum Tong Long Pai
concurrent with Hung Gar. Unfortunately, the Jook Lum system was largely controlled by Lum
Sang and after his death Gin Foon Mark, the best of his 3rd family disciples. Therefore, I
was shut out when it came to learning 108, the master level form.
I was subsequently able to get around this gap via F. Sam, renegade disciple of Ip Shui
who was working somewhat with our German counterpart to Special Forces and with whom I
trained while stationed in Germany. The answer(s) come to those who seek with correct
intent (Just painfully slow at times).
Post whatever you believe to be of possible value to your people. One quick point
concerning Sanchin in the Japanese systems. The closing of the fist results in choking off
the flow of Chi. It is used (although formed in a manner not at all useful for martial
applications) in the Chinese systems that I have trained, but only at the "1st
level" or what one may regard as the first 1/3 of the master level form. This results
in a tremendous "back pressure" build up and when the 2nd & 3rd portions of
the forms are done with open hand the release is very pronounced.
The only Chinese exception to the above that I have seen/trained is the Fukien White Crane
3 Step Arrow. I have never heard a satisfactory reason given for this anomaly, but they
also perform their martial "Chi Gung" set with a closed fist. Good training and
good health, John.
Hello George:
It only gets better with age. Old Shaolin saying: Those in their 20s will fight without
provocation, those in their 40s will cause the opponent great injury, those in their 60s
and beyond leave alone for they will kill you (very rough translation).
I would appreciate the address to your discussion group in order to follow thru with your
suggestion. Peace & good health, John.
Hello George:
I lurked on the roundtable and the internal vs. external issue was as muddied as ever.
Sigman always seemed to be a sincere person, however, he is just to ga ga tai chi for me.
There are a number of serious technical flaws in their origin (Chen) that have only been
exacerbated over time. They tend to manifest at the tactical level.
At any rate I really don't care to involve myself in what I regard a pointless
"debate" when the truth of the situation is obvious to anyone who steps outside
the "school house warrior" setting.
However, I will give you a very short answer on the "gross" differences in the 2
methods. The more internal systems move the center in order to generate power while the
primarily external systems stabilize the motherline and revolve same in order to transmit
power. This is extremely simple, perhaps even superficial, but it is accurate nonetheless.
A thorough examination of the 2 methods would have to include elements of physics, kines.
& physiology. After my first 20 odd years of study I concentrated on bringing the
methods out of the esoteric-arcane-poetic and reconcile same with Western science-tangible
models in order to more quickly transmit the fundamentals to my students and aid my
disciples in their quest for experiential confirmation of ancient ways. Peace, good
training and good health, John.
Hello,
I am a Uechi Ryu student and testing tonight for my shichikyu. I am under the instruction
of John Aldridge who was taught by Doug Smith, who was taught my Master Kinjo and so on.
And I think he (John) should be listed on your webpage. Our Dojo is situated in Edmonton,
Alberta Canada. He is a good instructor and deserves it I will get back to with the phone
number and if you want to send him a message then you can send it to me and he will
recieve it within 4 days!!!
Thanx
P.S. I like you site it is very well done and was wonderinf if that sanchin.gif is what
Kanei actaully looked like (cause that would be really cool)
-Graham
The gif does bear a striking resemblence to Kanei Uechi, Sensei as a younger man. Please send your teacher's dojo telephone number and I'll post his listing. GEM
Dear George,
I am pleased to report that Suzanne and I survived a vicious car wreck on the way to
Oregon. The South was frozen over last week as you may have heard and we bounced all over
a bridge and then were hit by another car. Fortunately, the van was able to complete the
trip although banged up pretty well. The Jetta we were towing suffered a broken rear axle.
We were very lucky and I think it's not an exaggeration to attribute our lives to Sanchin
focus which enabled me (along with a good bit of luck) to avoid going over the side of the
bridge into the traffic below. We are really looking forward to our new lives in
Oregon. Suzanne begins teaching next week and I'm exploring possible venues for a dojo
such as a Gold's Gym, the Y, and the community college where Suzi teaches. I'm busy
working on the article that Steve D. and I are doing on some of the subtle energies of our
art and Rik Lostritto and I are beginning work on an article about the training stones
used by Chou Tzu Ho Sifu, Uechi Kanbun Sensei, and mere mortals such as ourselves.
Our new address is Roseburg, Or 97470 and I can be reached at <shugyo@Rosenet.net
Any Uechika in the area are welcome come and join me in Sanchin in the mountains. I would
appreciate being included in the new instructors listing. Wishing you good health for the
new year.
David Elkins
Morning Mr. Mattson,
Hope you and your family had/having a wonderful holiday. This came across my desk and I
thought you might be interested. Talked to Dave Hunt last week, he informed me that you
were going to his Canadian camp? At this point in time, it would be difficult at best for
me to attend yet I wish to help out anyone contributing to the Uechi world. Any thoughts
on this camp?
This e-mail is to inform you, that we have started a non-profit friendship association called Friends of the Fighting Spirit.
Through the years, we have established many contacts in different countries. Now, together with all other interested people worldwide, it 's possible through Dai Ki Haku to become member of the non-profit friendship association Friends of the Fighting Spirit
Our intention is to provide all forms of martial arts and combatants with the opportunity of to derive knowledge from each other in various ways, respective of different individual levels, religions and culture.
If you are accepted as a member, you will never have to pay anything for you membership. Both individuals and clubs can become members. By visiting the below web-site, you will be able to read some material about Friends of the Fighting spirit.
http://ffs.daikihaku.dk/
The material includes information and replies to questions about why Friends of the Fighting Spirit is quite special within Martial Art. Please take the time to read the entire material so that we may have some well-considered applications for membership.
On behalf of
Shihan Oerum
later
tracy rose
Although a final brochure has not been mailed out, Dave Hunt will be hosting a Camp this year in Nova Scotia. Dave felt, and I concur, that because of the continuing devaluation of the Canadian dollar, many of the Nova Scotians are unable to make my camp but would like to participate in a local event. Many of the Uechi seniors will be helping out by teaching, including myself. The dates are July 9,10 and 11th, 1999 Telephone Dave at 902-832-1033 for details.
I'm not familiar with Shihan Oerum or his organization, but am happy to make the information available to all who might have an interest or are curious. GEM
Dear Mr. Mattson,
It was your first book that inspired me to take up Karate Do some 30 years ago and I just
like to say thanks. I've been practicing Uechi Ryu ever since then in addition to Pa Kua
Chuan. Have a properious New Year and Happy Holidays!
Yours,
Dr. Michael E. Addison
Thanks Dr. Addison. Always nice to hear from people who remember "The Way of Karate". GEM
Dear Sensei Mattson,
May I forward your very useful responses to my questions (below) to a few of my fellow
Uechi friends?
New Years Cheers,
John.
By all means. . . GEM
Dear Sensei Mattson,
The more advanced students of Uechi seem to have progressively(?) smaller striking
and blocking movements eg punches from Sanchin arm position rather than drawing the
arm back fully before punching, culminating I suppose, in the so-called 2-inch
punch.
=============
I've been teaching the following for about 25 years: Movements from kata are 'full'
movements, designed to develop maximum technique. Movements as used in bankai,
pre-arranged kumite and free fighting, use only that part of a technique, necessary for
defense/counter. Chambering is a "white" belt tool. Blocks/Punches begin from
wherever your arm happens to be. All movements begin from the floor. . . not the shoulder
(where many Uechi practitioners begin their moves). GEM
===========
Apparently, expert Taiji practitioners can project a great deal of power, with NO external
movement of the arm ie from a stationary fist or palm touching an opponent. Again, I have
no training in Taiji, but the theoretical bases of this are explained in: Waysun Liao.
T'Ai Chi Classics. Shambhala, Boston. 1990. (ISBN: 0-87773-531-X pbk). I wonder if the
bottom line in all this might be in thousands of repetitions of key movements with great
accuracy, concentration, power and focus, so that in the end, an advanced martial artist,
regardless of initial theories, styles etc, will sense and direct his/her energy the same
powerful, efficient way?
===========
I don't believe in magic either. . . the proper use of body mechanics give the
appearance of "no external movements of the arm". . . very much an advanced
Uechi-ryu principle. GEM
=========
All roads up the mountain eventually lead to the same peak, given a diligent bunch of
mountain climbers. When they meet at the top, they should respect each other's hard climb.
=========
I agree totally. A happy New Year to you as well. Best, GEM
Hello george and sue and tia. Haven't heard from you in a bit and assume then that you
all have been tavelling and dining in style. Hope i am right.
Sensei Maloney and Lizette came to Bermuda and stayed with me for 2 weeks.Had some very
nice classes at the dojo. His style is a bit different altho not as much as people are
saying. He was always fast and abbreviated. His chi has grown and he teaches more fluidity
than before..there are no stops in any given set of moves. same as you george..he is just
doing it Maloney style..he has a fancier ending which is uniquely demonstrated by
Lizette..one where you finish your kata with your shoulders being rolled circular upward
as you finish. Like a cat streatching. His katas are very strong and you can see a lot of
tiger and crane in his movements.
Are you both coming to Bermuda in March for the tournamnet. I would love to put you up
unless of course Al is going to put out for a first class Hotel in which case I do
understand. Any trips planned? . . .
Looking forward to seeing you soon and really hope and wish that you have a successful and
healthy xmas and 1999..Bye for now from your friend
....chris
Always great to hear from you Chris. Jim and I have worked out together many times
where I've had a chance to check out his interpretation of our style. (It is all
documented in his ""New Wave" Uechi-ryu) It really isn't so much different
from what the advanced students are doing, however he and I differ regarding teaching it
this way to beginners. I always encourage our seniors to "expand" the envelope
of our style. . . that is how progress is made. Susan and I will be at Al Wharton's March
tournament, along with a team. I'm bringing my golf clubs, so please save up your money to
pay off the bets!!! :) GEM
Dear Mattson Sensei,
Thank you for posting the photo of our twins at the Eiffel Tower on the"What's
New" portion of your web page. It was the best Christmas present for Mayumi and I.
Visiting Paris and Shimabukuro Sensei in November 98 was a joy. Uechi-Ryu Karate-Do is
alive and strong in the capital of France. One of Shimabukuro Sensei's student is the body
guard for the Chief of the Armed Services of France. We did some great working out, and
socialized as well. A wonderful time with a wonderful group in Paris! (C'est magnifique!)
With Love and Respect,
Nestor (Folta)
Sensei gata;
I hope you all have a great Holiday as well. As I am a little late getting this out to
y'all and it is the last of the Holidays remaining...HAPPY NEW YEAR FROM THE GAITHERSBURG
OKINAWAN KARATE DOJO!! We wish you all a happy, healthy and prosperous 1999 as well as
many opportunities for regional get-togethers of all sorts. Our group really enjoys them
and they are a great way to transfer and devlop ideas and methods that enrich us and
broaden our horizons. The cohesive unencumbering ties we are developing work wery well
...We are fortunate to all be a part of this and I feel that history (at least Uechi
history anyway) will look well upon what we are doing in future times.
See y'all soon.
Rik and Carl Lostritto and fellow students
Sensei Mattson,
I wanted to wish you a happy holiday. I haven't been able to visit the uechi site much due
to the fact that I have been busy with school. I am still majoring in Japanese at
Salem-Teikyo university in West Virginia. My days are filled with studying and training.
I hope all is well with you and your familiy (including your dog).
Jessica
My name is Charles Dragoo and i am a personal student of Sifu Richard Mooney. I just
wanted to wrtie to say that i am very happy that you have come in contact with him..He is
a truely amazing guy. Not only in the area of LIN KONG JING, but other areas as well. I
would be very interested in seeing the video that was made there at the seminar.. I have
been doing the Lin Kong Jing and Taiji ruler for about three years now and have made
increadible gains. I never knew that the internal energy could be so powerful til` i met
Sifu Mooney. Persist in training of the Empty Force and the Ruler and see the
results..Every time i get to train with Sifu it`s a nw thing every time. amazing i just
have to say.. Looking forward to the reply
Past, Present, and Future--
Sifu Charles Dragoo
Dear George:
My humble apologies for not being in contact with you sooner, I found out I have been
emailing to the wrong address (though the messages were not returned to me from the
server) and pulled your site up to get the correct one!
I read with great interest the info about the upcoming Okinawan Masters' visit in May. I
would like to attend all of the trainings available on May 8, 9 and 10. May I
pre-register? I am sorry you will not get to see Master Tomoyose -I would like to have met
him as well.
Thank you and Merry Christmas.
Sincerely,
Kevin Meisner
At the present time we are confirmed for Sunday at Brandeis University. Monday and
Tuesday are still in the planning stage. We will probably have a second date in
Connecticut with the other day devoted to sightseeing. Watch the "events" forum
for updates. GEM
Dear George,
My best wishes to you, Susan and family for the holidays and the coming year.
As the year comes to end, I find myself thinking of the things I could have done, should
have done... Many things I wanted to do, I did less that I would have liked. One of these
is attending Saturday classes. But the classes I was able to attend, I liked a lot...
That's as much as one can hope for.
As Bob recently observed and commented on, there are many Uechi dojos springing up all
over the world. But few match the commitment, openness and sense of commaderie that
pervade the "hut" on Saturdays. Uechi Ryu in the U.S. started in New England and
spread out from here, a testament to the success of your pioneering effort and love for
this art. Though the art has spread, and greater numbers of talented and committed
practitioners have emerged from the dojos throughout, the "heart" of Uechi Ryu
in the U.S. remains still -- in my eyes and others -- here in New England...
And the beat goes on. I am look forwarding to year ahead. I am going to drag some of the
Chinatown guys to the "hut". We are going TO GO to camp... We are going to ...
(Yikes!!! Wanting too much, again...)
david (Moy)
P.S. Perhaps, I should consider growing a pony tail like yours to give some contrast to
the "shiny top". Hopefully, I can still grow some hair back there...
For George Matson.
Hi,
Here it is Silva Leone's Sensei Ramiro 5th Dan, Distrito Federal, Brazil. I come
through this you greet him for its book, he/she is a great guide of information, which I
always recommend my students that acquire it. I take advantage of to want it a happy
Christmas and a new year full of prosperity, a lot of peace and love. That God is
always present in our days, to you and all its family.
Ramiro of Silva Leone, 5th Dan, representative of OKIKUKAI in Brazil.
Thanks for your good wishes Sensei Ramiro. GEM
Dear Sensei, . .. For some reason my password is not working.My message is not being posted.I trained at the Futenma City Dojo in the 70's, there I met Allen Dollar when he first came to the Dojo. I have waited years to talk to someone with similar background who would understand. It was sheer luck that I happened upon this site. I am very happy to see it please help,and Merry Christmas.
. . . and after I helped out. . .
I finally got on [the Forums], thanx for the advice Ive wated 25 years to
tell my stories to someone who'll understand.I think Anyone whose never trained in a Dojo
in the Far East would not truly appreciate the story of Uechi-Sama and the Moon. Or when
Allen Dollar first came to the Futenma Dojo and I told him "I'd like a Dollar for
every guy I met named Al." Or Sanchin practice when Master Uechi jumped up on us
banged and kicked to insure a stable stance. There are Dozens of people in my memory from
that time. I very glad that Allen Dollar wrote the book he did. And I'm very grateful for
this site. When I was preparing to leave Okinawa, I told Uechi-San the bad news. He took
me over to a map of the US and asked me where I was going,I pointed to Northern Virginia.
The closest place was of course your Dojo in Boston. Uechi proudly pointed to your
location and said "George Matteson, Too Far Neh?" And of course it was, the only
thing in the N Virginia, DC area were Tae Kwon Do schools.Finall! y after a year
Karate withdrawal I relented and signed on to a Tae Kwon Do school. I was surprised to
find that despite their advertisements as a way of self defense that there were so many
effective techniques I was not allowed to use. It was evident that the school was more
interested in the SPORT of Tae Kwon Do than REAL self defense. BUT I signed up and I
stayed for the number of years I lived there.If nothing else Uechi-Ryu taught me to
endure. Merry Christmas and Happy New Year. C-YA
I enjoyed your "moon" story as did many others who saw it. I also remember
Kanei Uechi as
being a very "human" person, able to enjoy a joke and who enjoyed telling them.
It is good to
find people who were there, willing to share their stories. GEM
Holiday Greetings to all!
The A.I.M.A / Kwanmukan of New England will be hosting its annual traditional karate-do
tournament on February 6th, 1999 at Our Lady of Mercy Centre in Worcester, MA.
We expect this to be our biggest event yet in over 10 years of hosting tournaments in the
area.
We also expect to have excellent competition at all levels and at all ages with anywhere
from 75 - 100 competitors from the Kwanmukan of New England alone!
We feature the WKF Olympic-style mats for the comfort and safety for the competitors
during kobudo, kata and kumite. We will have competitors that have competed successfully
at national and international levels under the WKF format.
Please feel free to forward this on to like-minded individuals and your students. Further
details will follow. Directions and applications will be mailed or can be faxed. Please
feel free to contact myself or Shihan DelGarbino with any questions. Cancellation due to
inclement weather will be made available 1-2 day(s) in advance
Regards and Shugyo!!!
Sempai Eric Rossini 2nd Dan
(508) 865-7931 hm
(508) 787-8424 wk
Shihan James Delgarbino 5th Dan
(508) 755-2841 hm
(508) 854-8233 dojo
Greetings Sensei Mattson and Susan!
I browes your web site often since buying my p.c. I love it ! Its a great way to stay in
contact with the rest of the Uechi world. I enjoyed your 98 summer camp very much. I hope
to be down to the 99 camp. Sensei Gary Geddes and I are seriously planning to get down
during the Okinawan Masters visit in May.I am hoping to see more follow up info. on this
as it sounds very exiting! I am keeping acktive in Uechi, teaching in Lanze; Just one half
hour outside Dartmouth, N.S. and studying under senseis Louis Hopper and Gary Geddes. I
hope you enjoy the Holidays and I hope to get to MASS. to see you in the new year.
Barry Gower, Enfield, N.S. Canada.
Mr. Mattson:
I occasionally like to review your Suparempi tape and every time I do, I want to
find out if Simon has learned anything new in China. Have you talked to him lately?
Does he have an email address or some way to contact him?
There are some parts of his kata that look like Uechi-Ryu but on both Suparempi and
Tiger Comes Down the Mountain he starts out with the right foot. As you know we have
always learned the Chinese kata with a left first step.
I wish I had the time and the money to go to Fuchow and try to find Simon's teacher before
he dies. If you have talked with him to plan to have him on tape again? I would love for
the two of you to film a second Q&A session since there is so much that both you and I
would like to ask him.
Thanks,
Brandon
Loveland Karate Club
Loveland, Colorado
I re-interviewed Simon a couple of years ago, but nothing of importance came from
the discussion. I highly recommend Bill Glasheen's video on the subject. He has worked
closely with Simon and has interpreted the kata in a manner that fits into Uechi very
nicely.
We may take up the subject in one of our ViewPoint! topics. Meanwhile, keep practicing and
have a happy holiday. GEM
I have been exposed to several senseis in my training(I am a yonkyu, app. 1 month from
sankyu). One of my instructors traces his training through his sensei and directly back to
master Kanai. My present instructor, whom I like very much, has the stance that Dan
Kumite is not going to be required for me to progress and earn my 1st dan. He feels that
it can and should be replaced with yakusoko. To be honest, I am not all that comfortable
with becoming a black belt without learning dan kumite. Am I mistaken, and how
important is the sensei's lineage? R
By all means follow your sensei's direction. "Yakusoko" has, in the
Shohei system, replaced the "dan" kumite. Both are meant to develop applications
of Uechi-ryu and correctly performed, is an important part of your training. Those
students who work with Sensei Shinjo's group also practice another prearranged set.
I will be discussing the way"prearranged sparring is done, not necessarily the
specific movements. Many teachers never advance beyond a white belt understanding of what
they do and teach, which shortchanges the students and give them dangerous "muscle
memory" moves that carry over into their real life ability to defend themselves. I'm
not a believer in simply doing movements for the sake of ritual. The techniques must
"work" at every level of one's development. As one advances, understanding,
technique, application and weapons (of the body) change and evolve. That is what separates
the white belts from the black belts. In many dojo, students remain white belts forever in
their understanding of what they do. . . but they do get stronger and faster in their
white belt understanding.
Good luck with your studies and keep in touch. GEM
George,
I am seldom ill but today stayed home with a very sore throat. Naturally I browsed your
WEB site. I found the roundtable and mailbag especially interesting.
I have been visiting the site for quite some time and thought I would pass along my
complements. It's a professional WEB site with great Martial Arts info.
As you know I have not been to the Wednesday class for some time. However, I have been
going to Fedele's Tuesday class approximately every other week. Tuesday's seem to be a
better day for my schedule. I am enjoying working with the lower ranks while I continue to
scrape the rust of my Uechi.
I hope to visit you on Wednesday soon.
Norm
Lots of colds and flues (with funny names) going around. Get well and we'll see you in class soon. GEM
To whomever can help,
I am a travel agent in NH and have a client who would like to take Kung fu lessons at the
Shaolin Temple next fall. Do you have any information on how one goes about getting
reservations there. I would appreciate any help that you can offer me. Thank-you, Rachel
Robinson
Dear Mr. Mattson:
My name is chris St. Claire and i have been studing uechi ryu karate now for about 3.5
yrs, im 17 yrs old in a week and last night (12/11/98) i just took the Black Belt test and
passed , I go to the school of Nancy Gavenda's in Danvers MA, and i just wanted to say
thank you for your studdy of martial arts because with out you bringing the style to us i
could not have achived my goal. thank you i also would like to ask you a question if i may
,
ok this is my question : i know Kanbun Uechi had a Nick name ok but i dont know it and i
want to also know what it meant please help me with that thank you very much.
Your student Buzz Durkin is a very great man and and a excellent sensai indeed .
thanks again.
Chris St. Claire
I discovered from Alan Dollar's book, that Kanbun had a speech impediment and that some cruel people made fun of him. Names may have been used, but I don't remember seeing it in the book. Other than this possibility, I don't remember anyone ever mentioning a nickname. GEM
George-
Happy Holidays! Hope this finds all well. Can you advise on status of China trip? I'm
keeping several projects on "tentative" status and giving the trip first
priority so far... but fiscal realities will eventually force me to commit. Have you heard
any more from Simon L.? How many others have expressed serious interest so far? I might be
able to talk it up at this end if bodies are required. Please advise...
Best,
Bill jackson
I can only pass along Simon's itinerary and plans. Because of travel conflicts, I will not be able to join him on this trip. GEM
Would you know if there is an e-mail address for Sensei Jerry MacDonald in San Diego
Ca? I studied with him at the Kitamae dojo in Okinawa for 4 years. Your help is
appreciated.
William B. Wojtas
============================
George,
Thanks for forwarding that e-mail to me. I did work out with Bill at the Kitamae dojo. He
was one of the few Americans who worked out there. Like most Uechi dojos, the Kitamae dojo
is off the beaten path behind a bar district.
I hope to hear from him and see if he's going to relocate here. Jim Sullivan is still
talking about the workout he had with both you and Buzz Durkin. Thanks again.
Jerry
People ask me how new Forums get created!!!
GEM,
Has there been any discussion of a Business/Marketing roundtable? I am interested in doing
a brochure and would like to see what others have done. I'm also interested in reaching
some specific groups and wondering how and if anyone has experience to share.
MFH
And guess who is heading it up now!
Dear Mr. Mattson,
I just recently got your e-mail. Sorry it took me so long to respond. Anyone wanting to do
Uechi Ryu in Denver can contact me at (303) 388-8716. I will starting Uechi ryu club in
Jan. but I am always looking for more people to work out with. I hope every is going well
for you on the east coast..
Marissa
I'm afraid you will be surprised to receive a letter from someone you didn't know.I
have found about you through your homepage. Now let me introduce myself.My name is Miwa
Kanazawa. I'm a student attending Okinawa International University.I'm senior and
sociology major.I'm making a study called "Karate and Inter-cultural
communication" for my graduation thesis.And I study Goju-ryu Karate. I'm a black
belt. I have a gavor to ask of you.I want you to tell me what you think about Karate.So
may I ask you some questions?
1 Could you tell me about yourself?
What is your Karate style?
How long have you studied Karate?
Have you ever been in Okinawa?(When? How long?)
2 What do you get by studying Karate?
3 Why do you think Karate became popular thhroughout the world?
4 Have you ever had a problem, regarding your study of Karate?
How do you settle this problem?
5 When you teach Karate, what are you paying attention to?
6 What role does Karate play in your life?
7 What are your hopes for Okinawa,the birthplace of Karate?
8 Could you tell me what you think about Karate and its future?
I appreciate your kindness very much.
Gratefully,
Miwa Kanazawa
miwa_kana@yahoo.com
I'm sure Miwa would appreciate other martial artist responding to her request. GEM
Sensei Mattson:
A quick note to let you know that our Lincoln dojo now has a new address. I have moved my
class out of the community college to a much better location: where I teach gymnastics!
This facility is wonderful in that we have a large floor area(which is padded and spring
loaded) and access to equipment(mats, bars, mirrors, etc) which I didn't have at the
community college. All of the students went with me and we are very happy with this
change. I was having some difficulties with the college and this is now a blessing in
disguise. I don't have e-mail at this new location yet I do at my home(I think you have
that address; . . .
Hope this finds you well and doing wonderful things! Say hello to Susan and Tia. Would you
ask susan to send me a copy of your book(the orange covered one)and any other books that
she found to include in our dojo library? She had discussed this with me a while back and
I was curious if she had determined which ones to send.(I'll pay for the orange one
though).
Yours in budo
Dave
Sensei,
I had the honor of giving Dillman Sensei the 2 copies of your books that you graciously
signed at the seminar this weekend. He stated publicly at the demonstration that your
writings and book was his first inspiration in the Arts. He is Very Thankful to to you
Sensei and wished that I convey this message as he is looking forward to meeting you
personally so that he himself can covey the deepfelt gratitude for your insights.
Evan
We'll have to work on getting Sensei Dillman to attend our camp one of these years Evan! GEM
Unexpected compliment from publisher of Martial Artist Professional Magazine:
George,
I don't believe we've ever met, but I came across your site and was captivated by your
story of Steven Fagen.
This passage was so great. I literally just finished writing an editorial that has the
line, "Martial arts is not a sacred religion." Then, I read this.
Excellent point.
I hope you receive Martial Arts Professional Magazine each month. If not, give me an
address and I'll make sure you get on the list. Please respond to NAPMA@aol.com.
Great site.
Thanks.
John Graden
Publisher
Martial Arts Professional Magazine
"Karate is not a religion or the kata rituals. People who come to you for lessons are not your disciples. Because they are friendly to you don't make them friends. They don't owe you anything but attentive dedication in class. You are not responsible for their actions outside of class and can not take credit for their success or failure in life. Most importantly, develop other interests and lead a balanced life outside the dojo and with people who are not your students! Don't be fooled into believing that what you are doing is so important that you must devote 12 hours a day, seven days a week to the dojo. Your students will massage your ego and make you feel invincible. Until they move on to their next goal, leaving you to deal with your fractured expectations. "
Dear Mr. Mattson,
my name is Mandy, and I have nothing to do with martial arts (yet), but am studying
clinical behaviour studies. One of my projects involves the study of the "fight and
flight syndrome", and your site was the most enlightening of all the hundreds of
sites I visited, and I merely wanted to thank you for that !!!
Peace and Light from Mandy Maguire ( in Ireland )
Thank Van Canna Sensei for his tireless effort and dedication in helping us all understand more about this fascinating subject. GEM
Hi Sensei,
I just read the Dec 6 update on your site. Very exciting news indeed to be host to such a
group of martial artists. I am sure you must be extrememly happy to see Tomayose Sensei
again! I don't know about the rest of the NAC, but I get a nice feeling from knowing you
two will be seeing each other. As for the New England visit, count me and my
students down for the seminars/classes. Please don't hesitate to ask if there is anything
I can do to help.
On another note: I screwed up my right arm pretty bad working out 2 weeks ago. It still
has not healed completly. This happened once before and I went back to working out too
soon and have permenant damage to my arm. Being wiser now, in some ways, I am going to
wait another week before coming back to Wed class. You should see me a week from this Wed.
Feel free to stop by Clyde's Roadhouse in Walpole (next to Mobil station at intersection
of Rte 1 and 27 in Walpole) any Tuesday. I am usually there on Friday and Saturdays, but
call first as I do take nights off if I have to teach, etc.. It is a family style place
with a lot of different food to choose from. And of course, your first round of drinks is
on me. (don't listen to Hovey, it is not a gay bar..)
Be seeing you soon,
Raffi
Isn't it funny the way rumors get started!! :) GEM
Dear Sir,
We have had access to you via-e-mail we are intending to participate in your upcoming
karate programme 1999 and for the advance traning.
We may say that we are a large karate organisation in India, with number of branches and
fairly large following of students/ chief instructors all over India.
We shall be happy to have more information regarding the above mentioned
tournament/progarmmes.
We shall appreciate, if you send us the details.
M.M.Fateh.
C/o Shinto Black Belt Karate Academy.
Calcutta-14 India, WB.
Interesting indeed. Yesterday we tested Kam Yuen, the "qi gong" healer who
hired a major PR firm in Los Angeles to represent him re the Pigasus Prize of one million
dollars. It will be fascinating to see how the PR agency provides "spin" to
their story to try saving their client's reputation, following the results of the tests.
Kam Yuen is of Chinese origin, pony-tailed and clad in black -- a true California
wheat-grass and mystic costume. His attractive and charming Asian assistant attended to
his every need, while various flacks and admirers vied for his favor. It was all quite as
expected. Yuen, according to his business card, is a doctor of chiropractic (no
credentials listed), and practices "Chinese Energetic Medicine,"
"Homeopathic Medicine" (again, no credentials listed), and he is a
"Nutritional Consultant" as well. I, too, am a nutritional consultant: avoid
cholesterol and saturated fats, and eat lots of fruit and veggies. Yuen is from the
"Shaolin West International Institute of Martial Arts and Natural Medicine." I'm
told that he was a consultant on the TV series "Kung Fu," and instructed
Grasshopper. His present incarnation may be the result of a falling-off of interest in the
martial arts.
As I stated in my second-last posting to this list, we'd agreed to the protocol to be
used. Since Yuen claimed to be 100% effective in curing all diseases, instantaneously, the
very failure in his one-in-five-by-chance guessing game would be acknowledged to be the
failure of his claim. Within minutes, he had missed the first trial. But we continued
through five trials, just to see if the expected one-in-five odds-by-chance would be
attained. Bang on. He got one in five.
But, as I posted to you previously, the Yuen team promptly began pointing out that -- for
example -- one of the five volunteers had shown dramatic cessation of symptoms. Yes, but
that person was not the target of the magical actions, which consisted of hand-weaving and
gesturing. Pain is a VERY subjective matter, and four of the five participants showed
variations of pain sensations, all the way through the tests -- some more, some less. As
expected -- and predicted here -- Yuen offered various other ways of looking at his
results, questioning his target person to see if anything could be elicited that would
indicate an effect -- but not pursuing those who were not targets of his magic, and who
also had some variance. The TV team (the "Extra" show) of course also tried
valiantly to extract some significance from the failures. Why am I not surprised?
Overheard following the failed tests: "Adjacent patients felt the effect, the work is
so powerful." "It's hard to do, with the blindfolds." And, "He has
taken traditional qi gong to a very high level."
Yuen's claims were not supported by the double-blind tests he performed. In fact, the
tests showed precisely what we would expect if there were no power there at all. But watch
the "Extra" show, and as sure as people are gullible, there will be all sorts of
excuses made to provide a cushion for Yuen's failure. And be sure of this: the program
will give him a boost merely because of his participation in it -- regardless of the
failure of his claims.
Thanks to Michael Shermer for his valuable participation in the tests. I'm off to Tulsa
for a few days.
Randi.
As it turns out, the EXTRA show was aired in December and I was able to tape most of it. I posted a couple of pictures on Bill's Forum along with a brief summary of the test. At the time I didn't realize it was the one Randi was describing in this earlier email. We are working with Rich to come up with a demonstration at camp that will have all of Randi's safeguards built in. Bill Glasheen will be heading up the team that will be doing the "test". GEM
Just a greeting for a big Ossu, which translated at this time, of course, means Happy New
Year. May you have a wonderful year, happy, healthy, peaceful. Best wishes. Shihan Bolz
IOKA
Bet you all forgot about the Swain web I created with info found in that old seaman's chest!!! GEM
Saw your website - found it really interesting. We are just beginning to research our
Swain family history. We are fortunate that we have two small books already written by
older relatives that give us a good start. it appears our Swain history as far as we have
it starts around Elham, Kent , England around the 1870's. We also have connections
(McFerrans) in and around Edwards, Upper New York State. Your information may of course be
connected somewhere in another branch but as yet we have nothing to corroborate that. We
will be watching with interest
to see what develops on your site.
If you run into a connection could you please contact us.
AIN'T LIFE A BITCH?
1. The average cost of rehabilitating a seal after the Exxon Valdez oil spill in
Alaska was $80,000. At a special ceremony, two of the most expensively saved animals
were released back into the wild amid cheers and applause from onlookers. A minute
later they were both eaten by a killer whale.
2. A psychology student in New York rented out her spare room to a carpenter in
order to nag him constantly and study his reactions. After weeks of needling, he snapped
and beat her repeatedly with an ax, leaving her mentally retarded.
3. In 1992, Frank Perkins of Los Angeles made an attempt on the world flagpole-sitting
record. Suffering from the flu, he came down eight hours short of the 400 day record to
find his sponsor had gone bust, his girlfriend had left him and his phone and electricity
had been cut off.
4. A woman came home to find her husband in the kitchen, shaking frantically, with what
looked like a wire running from his waist towards the electric kettle. Intending to jolt
him away from the deadly current, she whacked him with a handy plank of wood by the back
door, breaking his arm in two places. Till that moment he had been happily listening to
his walkman.
5. Several animal rights protesters were protesting at the cruelty of sending pigs to a
slaughterhouse in Bonn. Suddenly the pigs, all two thousand of them, escaped through a
broken fence and stampeded, trampling the hapless protesters to death.
6. Iraqi terrorist Khay Rahnajet didn't pay enough postage on a letter bomb. It came back with "return to sender" stamped on it. Forgetting it was the bomb, he opened it and was blown to bits.