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Uechi-Ryu karate is a classical Chinese-Okinawan
system of self defense. The purpose of studying Uechi-Ryu is to develop the
karate devotee into a healthy, well-coordinated person, both physically and
mentally, and to train him or her so that he may master the weapon less art
of defense. Achieving the level of Black Belt is a symbol of excellence in
the Martial Arts. It gives the individual a tremendous sense of accomplishment
and greater self worth, which in turn boosts their self-esteem and self-confidence.
The Black Belt represents total character development and improvement of inner
self. What you have by achieving Black Belt is not nearly as important as
what you become.
The man for whom this style is named is Kanbun Uechi. Kanbun was born May 5, 1877 in Okinawa, though he fled to China to escape Japanese military conscription in 1897. While in China he spent many years studying Kenpo and Chinese medicine. At the age of 30 Kanbun opens his own Kenpo school, but was forced to close it down due to shame, for one of his students killed a neighbor in a dispute over irrigation of the drought stricken rice fields. After closing the school Kanbun heads back to his native village in Japan where he marries. At the age of 47 a man named Ryuyu Tomoyose convinced Kanbun to teach again. At the age of 54 he opened a full-fledged karate school rather that just teaching a few people here and there. Eventually Kanbun's son Kanei receives instructor certification and begins teaching. In 1940 the students of Kanbun's karate school rename the style "Uechi-Ryu" and give Kanbun (63) the title of Grand master. And that is how Uechi-Ryu came to be. |
| © 1997
Dan Dovidio Last Revision : Feb 10,2003 |
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