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Basic Training Information Overview of Uechi-Ryu History Uechi‑Ryu (pronounced Way Chee Roo) Karate‑Do is derived from a form of Chinese temple fighting. Although the original name of this Chinese system is not known, Uechi‑Ryu scholars are constantly striving to uncover the history of their art. Whatever the formal name, however, the Chinese word Pangai‑noon (pronounced PWANG‑GAY‑NOON) has been used to describe the original form, and has thus been accepted as the proper name. Pangai‑noon was taught in the Shoalin Temple in Southern China, and is derived from the interwoven movements of the tiger, crane and dragon. It is a specialized method of self defence that concentrates on the use of the single‑knuckle punch, spear‑hand strike, pointed-toe kick and circular block. Grandmaster Kanbun Uechi, the founder of Uechi‑Ryu Karate‑Do, is responsible for lifting the veil of secrecy, bringing this art out of China and into Okinawa and Japan. He was born on May 5, 1877 in lzumi, a small village in northern Okinawa. At the age of 20, in order to avoid serving in the Japanese military, which at that time occupied Okinawa, Kanbun fled to China. There, in Fukien province, he studied the art of Pangai‑noon. His teacher was Shushiwa, a Buddhist priest who had received his training in the Shoalin Temple. Master Uechi studied in Fukien for ten years and became a master of Pangai‑noon. At the end of his training, Master Uechi opened a school in Nanchon, a city in Fukien Province, where he taught for three years. During this time, one of his students became involved in a dispute and called upon his training to kill another person. Disheartened by this event, Master Uechi vowed never to teach again, closed his school and returned to his homeland. The year was 1910. Master Uechi has the distinction of being the only Okinawan ever to have been accepted in China as a teacher. Returning to Okinawa, he married, and on June 26, 1911 his son Kanei was born. He still refused to teach his art and only once during the ensuing years reluctantly demonstrated his Kata (formal set of movements). In 1924 the Uechi family moved to Wakayama Prefecture near Osaka, Japan. In 1927 Master Uechi began teaching his son Kanei the art of Pangai‑noon. Around this time, friends persuaded him to resume teaching publicly. In April 1942, Master Uechi's son Kanei, now a master in his own right, returned to Okinawa from Japan. Master Kanbun Uechi continued to teach in Wakayama Prefecture until 1947, and at the age of 71, died November 25, 1948 on lejima, an island off the coast of Okinawa. His body was returned to Nago, Okinawa for burial. During this year, his students renamed the style Uechi‑Ryu (Ryu is Japanese for "style") in his honour. His son, Master Kanei Uechi, opened his dojo (training hall) in Futenma, Okinawa in April of 1949 and taught there until his death in February of 1991. Sensei Dunnigan’s Uechi-Ryu Lineage
Principles of Practice/Student Creed Remembering that the Martial Arts begin and end with respect, I intend to:
Courtesy in the Dojo
Personal Matters All women and girls must wear an approved workout shirt (either a t-shirt or tank top with our school logo). Wearing these workout shirts is optional for men and boys. It is important to wash your gi frequently, wear a fresh workout shirt and keep your nails trimmed as karate training involves close interaction with others If you have any challenges or concerns that impact your training, please discuss directly with Sensei or speak to a senior instructor. Uechi-Ryu Karate Training Terminology Warm-up Exercises (Junbi Undo) Heel pivot - Ashi saki O ageru undo Supplemental Exercises Hojo Undo (R/L) Side Snap Kick - Sokuto geri Kata Other Material Ranking System Promotional consideration is based on the student’s comprehension and execution of core knowledge, class attendance and attitude as assessed by Sensei, with input from instructors. Students are encouraged not to focus on their rank, but rather their learning. Beginners in Uechi-Ryu Karate-Do do not formally hold any rank, but for the purposes of ‘ranking’ are called “Jukyu” (10th level) and wear a white belt to signify their beginning status. There are then nine actual ranks before reaching the black belt level. These ten “Kyu” ranks are followed by ten “Dan” ranks (degrees of black belt), the first of which is Shodan (1st degree black belt). The minimum age for promotion to Shodan, with recognition and Certification from Okinawa, is sixteen. However, at Neil Dunnigan’s School of Karate, students may be promoted to the rank of Junior Black Belt. To be tested for Junior Black Belt, a student must be a minimum of 11 years of age and must have been practicing for a minimum of four years. Kyu (pre-black belt) testing is by invitation from an Instructor and, as a general rule, is conducted at the Edmonton dojo on the 1st Tuesday evening of each month. Check the “Test Board” for the “Next Test Date”. No regular classes are held on Test Night. All Dan (Black Belt levels) promotional tests are by invitation only. Sensei will inform the student when he feels that the student is ready. He will base his decision upon such factors as technical skill, attitude and character, class attendance, length of study, age, and participation in dojo activities. Dan (black belt) testing is held at the Edmonton dojo twice a year. Archived Event Photos: Click on the following links to view pictures from past school related events. Oct 2006 25th Anniversary Karate Kids Celebration Oct. 2006 25th Anniversary Banquet Oct. 2006 Soke and Hatsuko Machida Visit Sept. 2006 Visit to Master Thompson's Michigan Dojo Master Tamayose's Visit, Sept. 2005 Tiger, Crane and Dragon Kata Tournament, June 2005 International Womens' Friendship Tour, April 2004 |
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