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Uechi-ryu

Karate Styles

Uechi-Ryū (上地流, Uechi-Ryū)
is a traditional style of Okinawan karate. Uechi-Ryū means "Style of Uechi" or "School of Uechi". Originally called Pangai-noon, which translates to English as "half-hard, half-soft", the style was renamed Uechi-Ryū after the founder of the style, Kanbun Uechi,[1] an Okinawan who went to Fuzhou in Fujian Province, China to study martial arts and Chinese medicine when he was 19 years old.[2][3]
After his death, in 1948,[4] the style was refined, expanded, and popularized by Kanbun Uechi's son, Kanei Uechi.[5]
Contents
  • 1Early history
  • 2Kata
  • 3Ranks
  • 4Additional training elements
  • 5Uechi-Ryū today
    • 5.1Major organizations of Uechi-Ryū
  • 6References
  • 7Further reading
Early history[edit]
Grandmaster Kanbun Uechi
Kanbun Uechi studied a style of Southern Chinese kung fu Pangai-noon (traditional Chinese characters: 半硬軟)[6] meaning "half-hard, half-soft" in the Fujian province of China,[7][8] in the late 19th century and early 20th century under a teacher and Chinese medicine hawker known in Japanese as Shū Shiwa (Chinese: Zhou Zihe 周子和 1874-1926).[9] Shū Shiwa/Zhou Zihe's life is not well documented. Some have suspected without conclusive evidence that he had connection with the secret societies which worked for the overthrow of the Qing dynasty and the restoration of Ming dynasty.[10][11] Research by the Fuzhou Wushu Association reported in 1984 revealed that he was born in the Zhitian Village (直田村) in 1874 to family wealthy enough to have him educated in letters and fighting arts which included weapons and Tiger Fist Kung Fu.[12]
Further information: Southern Min
The exact provenance of the romanization "Pangai-noon" is not clear, and it may be from the lesser-known Min Chinese language. It is not a Japanese, Okinawan nor Mandarin Chinese pronunciation of the original characters.[13] The standard Japanese pronunciation of the three characters is han kō nan (はんこうなん), while the standard Mandarin pronunciation is bàn yìng ruǎn. The Cantonese language pronunciation is bun ngaang yun. In modern times, the katakana version of pangainoon (パンガイヌーン) has been used in Japanese writing rather than the kanji (半硬軟). While the Fuzhou Wushu Association confirmed the meaning of "half-hard, half-soft" in interviews in 2012, in 1934, Kanbun Uechi explained to Kenwa Mabuni when he asked about the meaning of "Pangai-noon" that it referred to the rapid speed of the kata.[14]
After studying about 10 years[15][16][17][18] under Shū Shiwa/Zhou Zihe, Kanbun Uechi opened his own school in Nanjing in 1906, and he continued periodic training under Zhou Zihe for a total of 13 years.[19] Three years later, Kanbun Uechi returned to Okinawa, determined never to teach again because reportedly one of his Chinese students had killed a neighbor with an open-hand technique in a dispute over land irrigation.
While in Okinawa, Kanbun Uechi did not teach his martial art. In 1912, a tea merchant and White Crane Kung Fu master Go Kenki (Wú Xiánguì) who knew him settled in Okinawa.[20][21][22] As word spread from Go Kenki that Kanbun Uechi was a skilled martial arts teacher, he received requests to teach but refused.[23]
Due to the economic situation in Okinawa, in 1924, at the age of 47, Kanbun Uechi left for Wakayama City, Wakayama Prefecture, Japan to find employment.[24] While he was working as a security guard for a local cotton spinning mill, [25] he was persuaded by a co-worker, Ryuyu Tomoyose, to teach him privately.[26] After two years of private lessons, Ryuyu Tomoyose and about 30 other men interested in learning convinced Kanbun Uechi agreed to resume teaching. He taught in small rooms in the company dormitory before work, during lunchtime, and after work until 1932 when he opened a general store and the "Pangai-noon Karate Academy" to the general public.[27] In 1940, he and his students, including his son Kanei, renamed the system "Uechi-Ryū Karate-Jutsu" (上地流空手術) in his honor.[28]
Grandmaster Kanei Uechi
Kanbun Uechi's son, Kanei Uechi, taught the style at the Futenma City Dojo, Okinawa, and was considered the first Okinawan to sanction teaching foreigners. One of Kanei's students, Ryuko Tomoyose, son of Ryuyu Tomoyose, taught a young American serviceman named George Mattson who authored several books on the subject and is largely responsible for popularizing the style in America. Uechi-Ryū emphasizes toughness of body with quick blows and kicks. Some of the more distinctive weapons of Uechi practitioners are the one-knuckle punch shōken zuki (小拳突き, shōken zuki), spearhand nukite (貫手突き, nukite), and the front kick shōmen geri (正面蹴り, shōmen geri) delivered with the first toe (sokusen geri). On account of this emphasis on simplicity, stability, and a combination of linear and circular movements, proponents claim the style is more practical for self-defense than most other martial arts.
In contrast to the more linear styles of karate based on Okinawan Shuri te or Tomari-te, Uechi-Ryū's connection with Chinese Nanpa Shorin-ken means the former shares a similar foundation with Naha-te (and thus with Gōjū-Ryū) despite their separate development.[29] Thus, Uechi-Ryū is also heavily influenced by the circular motions which belong to the kung fu from Fujian province. Uechi-Ryū is principally based on the movements of three animals: the Tiger, the Dragon, and the Crane.
Kata[edit]
There are eight empty-hand katas in Uechi-Ryū.[30] Only Sanchin, Seisan, and Sanseirui come from Pangai-noon; the others were designed and added to the style by Kanei Uechi and other senior students of Kanbun. Many of the names of the newer kata were formed from the names of prominent figures in the art, e.g. Kanshiwa from Kanbun and Zhou Zihe's Japanese pronunciation of his name: Su Shiwa. The kata are:[31]
  1. Sanchin
  2. Kanshiwa
  3. Kanshū
  4. Seichin
  5. Seisan
  6. Seiryū
  7. Kanchin
  8. Sanseiryū
Sanchin kata is deceptively simple in appearance. It teaches the foundation of the style, including stances and breathing. Kanbun Uechi is quoted as saying, "All is in Sanchin."
  1. Sanchin (三戦): Literally translated as "three fights/conflicts". From the kanji 三 ("three") and 戦う ("to fight/to struggle"). Usually interpreted as three Modes/Conflicts: "Mind, Body and Spirit."
  2. Kanshiwa (完子和): A combination of the first kanji in Kanbun's name, and the last two kanji written in Chinese order of Shu Shiwa's name in Japanese pronunciation. Originally known as "Kanshabu" based on earlier mistranslation of Zhou Zihe's name into Japanese as "Shu Shabu."[18]
  3. Kanshū (完周): A combination of the first kanji in Kanbun's name, and the kanji for Shu Shiwa's family name (Shu) [see previous note on pronunciation]. Originally known as Daini Seisan (第二十三) or "Second Seisan," it was created by Seiki Itokazu in the 1950s.[18]
  4. Seichin (十戦): Literally translated: "10 fights/conflicts," or a combination of the names of Seisan and Sanchin. Created by Saburo Uehara in the 1950s.[18]
  5. Seisan (十三): Literally translated: "13." Usually interpreted as "Thirteen modes of attack and defense" or "13 positions to attack/defend from".)
  6. Seiryū (十六): Literally translated: "16." Created by Kanei Uechi in the 1950s.[18]
  7. Kanchin (完戦): A combination of Kanbun's first kanji 完 and "fight" 戦. Created by Kanei Uechi in the 1950s.[18]
  8. Sanseiryū (三十六): The kanji was originally pronounced "Sandairyū,"[18] literally translated: "36." Sometimes interpreted as "thirty-six modes of attack and defense" or "36 positions to attack/defend from." While apocryphal, the 1977 Uechi-Ryū Kihon (Techniques Book) claims Shu Shiwa was also known as "The 36th Room Priest" to suggest the interpretation of the name as the "36th Room Kata" made from techniques taught individually in the previous 35 rooms.[32]
Ranks[edit]
These are the ten beginner or Kyū ranks, which in traditional practice count down from 10 to 1. The white, green, and brown belts are standard. Different schools in the same organization may have different designations of the intermediate ranks, such as different belt colors and stripes:
  1. 10º Jukyū (White Belt)
  2. 9º Kyukyū (White Belt w/1 Green Stripe; Yellow Belt)
  3. 8º Hachikyū (White Belt w/2 Green Stripes; Gold Belt)
  4. 7º Shichikyū (White Belt w/3 Green Stripes; Blue Belt)
  5. 6º Rokkyū (White Belt w/Solid Green Bar; Green Belt)
  6. 5º Gokyū (Green Belt w/no stripe; Green Belt w/1 Stripe)
  7. 4º Yonkyū (Green Belt w/1 Brown Stripe; Green Belt w/2 Stripes)
  8. 3º Sankyū (Brown Belt w/1 Black Stripe)
  9. 2º Nikyū (Brown Belt w/2 Black Stripes)
  10. 1º Ikkyū (Brown Belt w/3 Black Stripes)
These are the ten black belt or Dan grades:
  1. Shodan (1st degree | Regular Black belt)
  2. Nidan (2nd degree)
  3. Sandan (3rd degree)
  4. Yondan (4th degree)
  5. Godan (5th degree)
  6. Rokudan (6th degree) (Master's title: Renshi; Black belt w/1 Gold stripe)
  7. Nanadan (7th degree) (Master's title: Kyōshi; Black belt w/2 Gold stripes)
  8. Hachidan (8th degree) (Master's title: Kyōshi; Black belt w/3 Gold stripes)
  9. Kyūdan (9th degree) (Master's title: Hanshi; Black belt w/4 Gold stripes)
  10. Jūdan (10th degree) (Master's title: Hanshi; Black belt w/5 Gold stripes)[33]
Originally, Okinawan styles use the gold bars on black belts to denote the various masters titles rather than ranks after fifth dan. Thus one gold stripe designated Renshi (錬士), two designated Kyōshi (教士), and three designated Hanshi (範士). In the early 2000s, different Okinawan styles started using the stripes to designate dan grades above godan. Others, including many Uechi organizations, have followed suit, while others have not.
Additional training elements[edit]
Kanei Uechi, besides adding kata, also introduced a sequence of exercises to the Uechi-Ryū training regimen. The junbi undō (準備運動, junbi undō) are warm-up and stretching exercises based on Asian school training exercises. The hojo undō (補助運動, hojo undō) are standardized exercises that incorporate elements of all of the katas of the system as well as additional techniques.
The junbi undō exercises are:[34][35]
  1. Ashisaki o ageru undō (足先を上げる運動) (heel pivot)
  2. Kakato o ageru undō (踵を上げる運動) (heel lift)
  3. Ashikubi o mawasu undō (足首を廻わす運動) (foot and ankle rotation)
  4. Hiza o mawasu undō (膝を廻わす運動) (knee circular bend)
  5. Ashi o mae yoko shita ni nobasu undō (足を前横に伸ばす運動) (leg lift and turn)
  6. Ashi o maeue uchi nanameue ni ageru undō (足を前上内斜め上に上げる運動) (straight leg lift)
  7. Tai no kusshin undō (体の屈伸運動) (waist scoop and twisting)
  8. Koshi no nenten undō (腰の捻転運動) (trunk stretch)
  9. Ude o nobasu undō (腕の屈伸運動) (double arm strikes)
  10. Kubi no nenten undō (首の捻転運動) (neck rotation)
The hojo undō exercises are:[35][36][37]
  1. Shōmen geri (正面蹴り) (Front kick)
  2. Sokutō geri (足刀蹴り) (Side kick)
  3. Seiken zuki (正拳突き) (Closed Fist Punch)
  4. Mawashi zuki (廻し突き) (Hook Punch)
  5. Hajiki uke hiraken zuki (平拳受け平拳突き) (Tiger paw blocks and strike)
  6. Shutō uchi Uraken uchi Shōken zuki (手刀打ち裏拳打ち小拳突き) (Chop, Back-fist, One-knuckle punch)
  7. Hiji zuki (肘突き) (Elbow strikes)
  8. Tenshin zensoku geri (転身前足蹴り) (Turn-Block-Front Kick-Forward Leg)
  9. Tenshin kōsoku geri (転身後足蹴り) (Turn-Block-Front Kick-Back Leg)
  10. Tenshin shōken zuki (転身小拳突き) (Turn-Block-One Knuckle Punch)
  11. Hajiki (弾き) (fingertip strikes)
  12. Koi no shippo uchi, tate uchi (鯉の尻尾打ち縦打ち) (wrist blocks/strikes in four directions)
  13. Koi no shippo uchi, yoko uchi (鯉の尻尾打ち横打ち) (Fish-tail wrist blocks/strikes)
  14. Shinkokyu (深呼吸) (Deep breathing)
Kanei Uechi developed a set of pre-arranged sparring exercises for the pre-black colored belt ranks. These exercises are referred to as yakusoku kumite (約束組み手). They involve two partners exchanging a formal sequence of blocks and strikes. There are five to eleven of these exercises, and each one involves three to six exchanges of single blocks and strikes. The kumite exercises involve blocks and strikes that are, for the most part, also found in Uechi-Ryū kata. Thus, like kata no bunkai, these exercises help students become familiar with the application of Uechi-Ryū techniques. Typically, the highest kyu ranks are expected to be able to move through these exercises with great strength and fluidity. Dan level students practice additional pre-arranged sparring exercises.
Applications of kata are also practiced in a pre-arranged format. These patterns are called kata no bunkai (型の分解). Kanshiwa Bunkai and Seisan Bunkai date to the time of Kanei Uechi. Individual dōjō may create other bunkai for the other katas, such as Kanshu and Seichin, and these will vary in format more from dōjō to dōjō. "Okikukai"—沖空会--"Okinawan Karate-Dō Association"—沖縄空手道協会—from the late 1990s to early 2000s developed a "San Sei Rui Bunkai". Videos made during this time as well as a book,[37] and later DVD [31] document how the sequence developed over time. Interestingly, a recent project headed by the Okinawan government involving many Uechi groups in Okinawa to publish a manual with a DVD for the style has non-"Okikukai" members demonstrate a form of the bunkai that has some slight variations from the current "Okikukai" version.[18]
Special forms of strength training and body conditioning are generally practiced in Uechi-Ryū drilling. A formal Uechi-Ryū forearm conditioning exercise, called kote kitae (小手鍛え), or "forearm tempering," involves variations of striking a partner's forearms with ones fists and forearms. Kanbun Uechi learned this conditioning exercise in China. Similar exercises involve conditioning the legs ashi kitae (足鍛え), or "leg tempering." Uechi-Ryū also trains with makiwara, as well as incorporates other traditional Okinawan physical conditioning exercises as part of their training, such as plunging hands into baskets full of rocks, or performing Sanchin kata stepping while gripping nigiri gamae (握りえ構え) (heavy ceramic jars).
Uechi-Ryū today[edit]
Like many arts, Uechi-Ryū experienced organizational splits after its founder's death. Nevertheless, in 2018 as part of its Okinawan Karate Style Research Project, the Okinawan Government brought together seniors from some of the main organizations which include the Okinawan Karate-Dō Association (沖縄手道協会), Kenyukai (拳優会), Konan Ryu Shureikai (硬軟流守礼会), and the Uechi-Ryū Karate-Dō Association (上地流空手道協会).[18]
Pangai-noon In 1978 a group of Uechi-Ryū students headed by Seiko Itokazu and Takashi Kinjo broke away from the Ryū due to political disagreements and the desire to teach kobudō in their dōjō, and they adopted the style name Pangainoon Ryū.[38] By the early 1990s Itokazu and Kinjo had renamed this breakaway style Konan Ryū. In the 2000s Kinjo and his students began using the style name Kobu Ryū, however one of Kinjo's students, Mikio Nishiuchi, reverted to using the style name Pang Gai Noon Ryū.[39] This name has also been used by later groups over the years who have practiced the additional kata and exercises. All extant organizations are either former Uechi-Ryū organizations or schools that chose to use the old name, or current Uechi-Ryū schools which wish to give homage to the old name. In 2019 the Okinawa Konan Ryu Karate Dō Association (沖縄硬軟流空手道協会): Founded by Itokazu Seiki and currently headed by Itokazu Seisho, changed the name of the association to Uechiryu Karate-do Kona-kai (沖縄上地流空手道硬軟会).
Shōhei-Ryu After the death of the founder's son, Kanei Uechi, most of the senior practitioners of the original art split for political and personal reasons from his son Kanmei Uechi to form the Okinawa Karate-Dō Association (沖縄手道協会). Barred by Kanmei Uechi from using his family name, the Okinawan Karate Dō Association eventually decided to rename its system Shōhei-ryu (昭平流)[40] which combined the Late Emperor Hirohito's reign name Shōwa and his son Emperor Akihito's Heisei to mean "to shine brightly with fairness, equality, and peace." The Okinawan Karate Dō Association added a new two-man prearranged exercise yakusoku kumite (約束組み手) and an application or bunkai (分解) form for the third original kata: "Sanseiryū bunkai." One teacher developed an additional kata which was deemed by the Okinawan Karate Dō Association to be a kata for his school. With the name "Uechi-Ryū" passing out of copyright in Okinawa, an easing of political and personal disagreements, and a desire to promote the style in anticipation of the 2020 Summer Olympics, on September 18, 2016, the Okinawa Karate-Dō Association officially dropped "Shōhei-Ryū" and returned to the name "Uechi-Ryū."[41]
Major organizations of Uechi-Ryū[edit]
Many consist of a main organization in Okinawa with branches in other countries. Listed strictly in alphabetical order:
Okinawa based
  1. Jiteki (自適; "Self-Reliance") Jyuku Association: headed by Ken Nakamatsu[42]
  2. Kenyukai (拳優会; International Kenyukai Association): headed by Kiyohide Shinjō: Started as a fraternity in the Uechi-Ryū Association in 1981[43]
  3. Konan Ryu Shureikai (硬軟流守礼会): Headed by Tsuneo Shimabukuro
  4. Okikukai (沖空会 沖縄空手道協会; The Okinawa Karate Dō Association): headed by senior students of Kanei Uechi in rotation: current head: Keichō Tobaru[44]
  5. Okinawa Karate-Dō Uechi-Ryū Zankyokai (Zakimi Shūbukan 座喜味修武館): headed by Naomi Toyama
  6. Okinawa Konan Ryu Karate Dō Association (沖縄硬軟流空手道協会): Founded by Itokazu Seiki, currently headed by Itokazu Seisho
  7. Okinawa Konan Ryu Karate-do Renseikai (沖縄硬軟流空手道練成会): headed by Josei Yogi
  8. Okinawa Uechi-Ryū Karate-Dō Association (沖縄上地流唐手道協会): headed by Shintoku Takara[45]
  9. Uechi-Ryū Karate-Dō Association (上地流空手道協会): headed by Sadanao Uechi[46]
  10. Uechi-Ryū Karate-Dō KenSeiKai (拳誠会) Tomigusuku Shūbukan: headed by Yoshitsune Senaga
  11. Uechi-Ryū Karate-Dō Shinkokai (上地流空手道振興会修武館): headed by Takenobu Uehara [47]
International Organizations
  1. International Uechi-Ryū Karate-Dō Association (IUKA) (Kokusai Kyokai): headed by James Thompson[48][49]
  2. International Uechi-Ryū Karate-Dō Shubukai (上地流空手道修武会): headed by Yasushi Kuno [50]
  3. International Uechi-Ryū Karate Federation (IUKF): founded by George Mattson, currently headed by Darin Yee[51][52]
  4. North American Jiteki-Jyuku Karate Association: American branch of the Jiteki (自適; "Self-Reliance") Jyuku Association [53]
  5. Okikukai Brasil: headed by Ramiro da Silva Leone[54]
  6. Okikukai Karate Italia: headed by Fulvio Zilioli[55]
  7. Ryukokaku Karate and Kobu Dō Association: headed by Tsukasa Gushi[56]
  8. Uechi-Ryū Bushidō: headed by Bob Bethoney [57]
  9. Uechi-Ryū Butokukai: headed by Buzz Durkin [58]
  10. Uechi-Ryū International Karate-Do Association (UIKA): Chairman Robert Campbell, and Vice-Chairman Jay Salhanick[59]
  11. Uechi-Ryū Karate-Dō Shinkokai Shūbukan (上地流空手道振興会修文): headed by Isamu Uehara [60]
  12. Uechi-Ryū Karate Dō Europe: President Didier Lorho; European branch of Uechi-Ryū Karate-Dō Association (上地流空手道協会) [61]
  13. World Uechi-Ryū Karate Dō Kobudō Organization (WUKKO): President Gustavo Gondra[62]
References[edit]
  1. ^ Rymaruk, Ihor. Karate: A Master's Secrets of Uechi-Ryu. p. 19
  2. ^ "Founder of Uechi-ryu: Kanbun Uechi". Okinawa Prefectural Government. Archived from the original on February 19, 2005.
  3. ^ Uechi, Kanei: Seisetsu Okinawa Karate-do: Sono Rekishi to Giho [Skill and Theory of Okinawa Karate. Its History and Techniques]. Uechi-Ryu Karate-Do Kyokai, Ginowan, Okinawa, Japan 1977.
  4. ^ Mattson, George E., The Way of Karate, Tuttle Publishing, 1963
  5. ^ Mattson, George E., Uechi-Ryu Karate Dō (Classical Chinese Okinawan Self Defense), Peabody Publishing Company, 1998, p. 13
  6. ^ Character Meaning pangai-noon.net
  7. ^ Hokama, Tetsuhiro (2005). 100 Masters of Okinawan Karate. Okinawa: Ozata Print. p. 27.
  8. ^ Fujimoto, Keisuke (2017). The Untold Story of Kanbun Uechi. p. 28.
  9. ^ Fujimoto, Keisuke (2017). The Untold Story of Kanbun Uechi. pp. 19.
  10. ^ Bishop, Mark (1999). Okinawan Karate. pp. 38–41. ISBN 978-0-8048-3205-2
  11. ^ Fujimoto, Keisuke (2017). The Untold Story of Kanbun Uechi. p. 31.
  12. ^ Fujimoto, Keisuke (2017). The Untold Story of Kanbun Uechi. p. 19.
  13. ^ "Pan Gai Noon Ryu Karate-Do Seibu-Juku".
  14. ^ Fujimoto, Keisuke (2017). The Untold Story of Kanbun Uechi. pp. 30, 80.
  15. ^ Mattson, George; The Way of Karate. The Way of Karate, Tuttle Publishing, 1963, p. 24.
  16. ^ Uechi, Kanei; Seisetsu Okinawa Karate-Dō: Sono Rekishi to Gihō. Seisetsu Okinawa Karate-Dō: Sono Rekishi to Gihō, Uechi-Ryū Karate-Dō Kyōkai, Ginowan 1977, p. 33.
  17. ^ Fujimoto, Keisuke (2017). The Untold Story of Kanbun Uechi. p. 43.
  18. ^ Jump up to:a b c d e f g h i 上地流: Uechi-Ryu Manual. 2018.
  19. ^ Fujimoto, Keisuke (2017). The Untold Story of Kanbun Uechi. p. 43.
  20. ^ "Go Kenki: The Undercover Kung-fu Pioneer of Okinawan Karate". www.karatebyjesse.com. 2012-02-12. Retrieved 2018-01-17.
  21. ^ "Go Kenki (Wú Xiánguì)". shitokai.com. Retrieved 2018-01-17.
  22. ^ Fujimoto, Keisuke (2017). The Untold Story of Kanbun Uechi. p. 54.
  23. ^ Fujimoto, Keisuke (2017). The Untold Story of Kanbun Uechi. p. 54.
  24. ^ Fujimoto, Keisuke (2017). The Untold Story of Kanbun Uechi. p. 59.
  25. ^ Fujimoto, Keisuke (2017). The Untold Story of Kanbun Uechi. p. 64.
  26. ^ Fujimoto, Keisuke (2017). The Untold Story of Kanbun Uechi. p. 71.
  27. ^ Fujimoto, Keisuke (2017). The Untold Story of Kanbun Uechi. p. 72-75.
  28. ^ Fujimoto, Keisuke (2017). The Untold Story of Kanbun Uechi. p. 80.
  29. ^ "剛柔会とは".
  30. ^ Mattson, George E., Uechiryu Karate Do : Classical Chinese Okinawan Self Defense, Peabody Publishing, 1974
  31. ^ Jump up to:a b Okinawa Traditional Martial Arts for the 21th ("sic") Century. 2006.
  32. ^ Mattson, George E., The Way of Uechi-ryu Karate, Peabody Publishing, 2010
  33. ^ Mattson, George. "Rank, Stripes and Titles". Uechi-ryu Martial Arts. Retrieved 2016-02-01.
  34. ^ "Uechi-Ryu Kokusai of Alexandria, Virginia". Uechi-kokusai.com. Retrieved 2016-02-01.
  35. ^ Jump up to:a b Drills in the Technical Fundamentals of Okinawa Kerate- (sic)Dō, English-Japanese poster list displayed in the Okinawa Karate-Do Association Headquarters
  36. ^ "Uechi Ryu Karate Do Kokusai Kyokai - Kokusai Association". Okinawan Karate Academy. 1991-02-02. Retrieved 2016-02-01.
  37. ^ Jump up to:a b Takamiyagi, Shigeru (1996). An Introduction to the Okinawan Traditional Karate: Aspect of Karate as Martial Arts. pp. 241–281. ISBN 4-87215-083-X.
  38. ^ Bishop, Mark (1999). Okinawan Karate. pp. 38–41. ISBN 978-0-8048-3205-2.
  39. ^ "Pang Gai Noon Ryu Karate-Do Seibu-Juku".
  40. ^ "Okinawan Karate Club". Stoughtondojo.com. Retrieved 2015-09-26.
  41. ^ "沖縄空手道協会 公式ホームページ".
  42. ^ "Ji Teki Jyukui". Ji Teki Jyuku Association. Retrieved 2016-02-03.
  43. ^ "Frame Page". Alandollar.com. Retrieved 2016-02-01.
  44. ^ "沖縄空手道協会 公式ホームページ". Okikukaihq.jp. Retrieved 2018-09-26.
  45. ^ "OkinawaKaratedoKyokai". Okikukai.jp. Retrieved 2016-02-01.
  46. ^ Mattson, George. "Uechi-ryu Martial Arts | Karate". Uechi-ryu.com. Retrieved 2016-02-01.
  47. ^ "上地流空手道振興会". ja-jp.facebook.com/uechiryushinkoukai.shinjuku.fuchu. Retrieved 2016-02-04.
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Il Karate Uechi-ryū
(上地流 Uechi-ryū?) ("stile di Uechi") è uno stile tradizionale di karate okinawense di matrice prettamente cinese. Fu per la prima volta introdotto ad Okinawa da Kanbun Uechi, il quale vi fece ritorno dopo un soggiorno in Cina durato più di dieci anni. Kanbun aveva lasciato Okinawa nel 1897, recandosi a Fuzhou nella provincia del Fujian (regione nota per gli stili di lotta della Gru Bianca, in cui si formò anche Kanryo Higaonna) per sottrarsi alla circoscrizione militare obbligatoria che all'epoca imponeva ai giovani di prestare servizio nell'esercito giapponese. In Cina, Kanbun ebbe modo di studiare la boxe cinese sotto la guida di Shu Shi Wa, esperto conoscitore di una disciplina nota col nome di Pangai-noon (traducibile come "duro/morbido").
I Kata praticati nello Uechi-ryū sono otto. Tre sono quelli originariamente appresi da Kanbun durante il suo soggiorno presso Shu Shi Wa: Sanchin, Seisan e Sanseiryu; i cinque restanti invece, furono elaborati da suo figlio Kanei Uechi e dai suoi studenti dopo la seconda guerra mondiale. Kata principale, considerato la chiave di volta dell'intero stile è il Sanchin (traducibile come "tre conflitti"). Attraverso la pratica di questo esercizio isometrico che può a tutti gli effetti dirsi propedeutico alla pratica del Karate Uechi-ryū, si apprende la respirazione basilare dello stile e con la dovuta durezza/morbidezza il corpo del praticante si plasma, i muscoli si tonificano e la struttura ossea si consolida.
Indice
  • 1Armi
  • 2Kata
  • 3Note
  • 4Voci correlate
  • 5Collegamenti esterni
  • 6
Armi
Sebbene il Karate Uechi-ryū non preveda l'uso di armi, molti maestri di Okinawa affiancano alla pratica del Karate quella del Kobudo, disciplina che prevede, contrariamente alla prima, l'impiego di un vasto arsenale di armi tradizionali, tra le quali figurano ad esempio: Bō, Nunchaku, Sai, Kama e Tonfa.
Kata[modifica | modifica wikitesto]
I Kata dello stile Uechi Ryu sono:
1. Sanchin
2. Kanshiwa
3. Kanshu
4. Seichin
5. Seisan
6. Seirui
7. Kanchin (anche conosciuto come Konchin)
8. Sanseiryu (anche conosciuto come Sanseirui o Sandairui)


Uechi-ryū
Uechi-ryū écrit en kanjis

L'Uechi-ryū est un des styles majeurs de karaté à Okinawa.
Sommaire
  • 1Historique
  • 2Voir aussi
    • 2.1Articles connexes
    • 2.2Liens externes
Historique
Style de karatedō okinawaïen hérité de l'enseignement de Kambun Uechi, qui naquit à Okinawa le . Son père était un paysan et la famille Uechi vivait très modestement. Homme tranquille et très doux, le père se faisait souvent importuner par ses voisins. Aussi, le jeune Kanbun décida-t-il d’apprendre les arts martiaux pour devenir fort et se faire respecter. À l’âge de vingt ans, pour éviter la conscription, il partit en Chine. Là, en 1897, dans la province de Fujian, il fit la connaissance d’un maître chinois Zhou Zihe (Shu Shiwa en okinawaïen). Shu Shiwa, expert d’une école de boxe chinoise du nom de pangainoon, enseignera ce style à Kanbun pendant dix ans. Ce type d'art martial est basé sur les boxes du tigre, de la grue et du dragon. Son originalité est le travail main ouverte, les coups portés avec la pointe des orteils, des piques aux yeux, des blocages circulaires…


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