Uechi-Ryū Karate-Do (meaning: The way of the style of Uechi karate) is a traditional style of Okinawan karate and one of the three main styles of karate practiced in Okinawa today. Originally called Pangainoon, the style was renamed Uechi-Ryū after the death of Kanbun Uechi in 1948. The style was expanded and popularized by his son, Kanei Uechi.
Pangainoon, meaning "half-hard, half-soft," refers to the principle in Uechi-ryu that emphasizes developing body flow to maximize energy, power, speed, and timing by accelerating movements with no tension (soft) and focusing energy at contact (hard). Uechi-Ryu (Pangainoon) is derived from the tiger, crane, and dragon. This style of karate is very practical for self-defense, emphasizing front-facing stances and body positioning; circular intercepting movements; tenshin (evading) techniques; combined block/strike methods; kicks below the waist; and striking with toes, knuckles, and open hands.
There are eight kata in Uechi-Ryu including Sanchin, Kanshiwa, Kanshu, Seichin, Seisan, Seiryu, Kanchin, and Sanseiryu. The original kata from Pangainoon are Sanchin, Seisan, and Sanseiryu. The other five kata were added to the style by Kanei Uechi and other senior students of Kanbun to further help students develop their Uechi-Ryu techniques. The Sanchin kata is the foundation of the style. Kanbun Uechi says, "All is in Sanchin (see the Old Way)."
In addition to these eight kata, the style also practices Junbi Undo warm-up exercises, Hojo Undo technique-based exercises, pre-arranged kumite (sparring), freestyle kumite (sparring), bunkai (application of kata movement), kotikitae (arm conditioning), and ashikitae (leg conditioning).
The Sanchin kata is the foundation of the style and the first of the three original kata. Sanchin means the three conflicts of mind, body, and spirit.
Kanbun Uechi said, "All is in Sanchin."
Created by Kanei Uechi. The name is from the contraction of Kanbun and Shushiwa.
Created by Seiki Itokazu. The name is from the contraction of Kanbun and Shushiwa. The kata was originally called Dai Ni Seisan, or second Seisan.
Created by Saburo Uehara. Seichin means 10 conflicts.
Seisan is the second of the three original kata.
Seisan means 13.
Created by Kanei Uechi. Seiryu means 16.
Created by Kanei Uechi. Kanchin means Kanbun's conflicts.
Sanseiryu is the third of the three original kata and the most advanced kata of the system. Sanseiryu means 36.
George Mattson is recognized as the “Father of Uechi-ryu karate” in the United Staes. He was originally taught by Tomoyose Ryuko after hours on the military base in Okinawa during his service in the U.S. Army. Additionally, he trained at the Uechi-Ryu Karate-Do headquarters under Kanei Uechi. Mattson received his 1st degree black belt before leaving Okinawa at the end of his military service.
Kanei Uechi asked Mattson to teach Uechi-ryu professionally upon his return to the USA, which led to significant growth of the system. He began teaching Uechi-ryu in Boston, Massachusetts, in 1958 and managed the Mattson Academy in Boston and other locations for decades. Many of his students, after mastering Uechi-ryu karate, went on to open successful karate schools throughout the New England area and around the world. He currently teaches at the Mattson Academy of Karate (www.athomekarate.com). Mattson pioneered the use of online karate by introducing his “virtual dojo” coaching system 20 years ago.
He has sponsored numerous seminars by karate masters from around the world. Additionally, Mattson hosts Winterfest in Florida each year, where international Uechi-ryu practitioners and other martial artists gather to share their knowledge and techniques.
Sensei Mattson was among the first to publish a book in English about karate and has authored several books on Uechi-ryu, including:
· The Way of Karate, Tuttle Publishing, 1958
· Uechi-ryu Karate Do: Okinawan Self Defense, Peabody Publishing, 1974
· The Black Belt Test Guide, Peabody Publishing, 2008
· The Way of Uechi-ryu Karate, Peabody Publishing, 2010
· The Dynamic World of Martial Arts, G&S Consulting, 2024
Whether you're a beginner or an advanced practitioner, Insights into Uechi-Ryu Karate offers valuable insights to help you enjoy and grow in the martial art for a lifetime.
Insights into Uechi-Ryu Karate reveals the style's underlying structure, particularly through Sanchin kata, the system's core.
The “OldWay” is a term created by George Mattson to describe a way of practicing Uechi-Ryu movements that aligns more precisely with the half-hard/half-soft principles of Uechi-Ryu as taught to George Mattson by Master Tomoyose Ryuko and Master Uechi Kanei in the 1950s in Okinawa.
Learning the OldWay practice method is easier if you are new to martial arts, as there is no previous influence on how movements are performed. However, if you are an experienced practitioner who has been practicing Uechi-Ryu the hard-way or a different system, it involves letting go of the voices in your head that tell you to perform movements with tension.
Learning to move without tension can be challenging. However, through practice and persistence, this more natural way of movement will open new possibilities in speed, power, and endurance. In this chapter, building on the OldWay principles of body flow and kime, we closely examine the fundamental components, positions, and movements of Uechi-ryu, including stances, torso, and arm movements.
When learning Uechi-Ryu karate, Sanchin is the first kata taught. As you practice Uechi-Ryu for a longer period, you realize the significance and challenge of the Sanchin kata. Despite its seemingly straightforward movements and sequences compared to more advanced katas, its simplicity facilitates the cultivation of OldWay principles, the pursuit of movement perfection, and the development of the mind-body connection.
Among its arsenal of movements, one stands out as a cornerstone of the system's strategy - the Hirate Mawashiuke, or wauke. This technique, characterized by its circular motion with an open hand, is central to both the offensive and defensive aspects of Uechi-Ryu Karate. Rooted in the concepts of circular motion and redirection of force, this technique aims to efficiently neutralize attackers through interception and control while simultaneously creating opportunities for counterattacks.
Understanding the relationship between kata, bunkai, and self-defense is essential for practitioners to grasp our system's effectiveness and depth fully. Kata is a fundamental aspect of karate practice, providing a framework for learning and mastering techniques, stances, and principles. Bunkai involves analyzing movements within a kata to understand their intended purpose and exploring their application in real-life confrontations.
In the same way that bunkai connects kata to self-defense, pre-arranged kumite, or yakusoku kumite, assists practitioners in transitioning to freestyle sparring. Of course, there are techniques in the pre-arranged kumite we practice that lend themselves to self-defense, but the main lessons of these drills are best suited for bridging the gap to freestyle sparring.
Embracing supplemental exercise enhances physical and mental capabilities and promotes a deeper understanding of Uechi-Ryu karate. This extra training involves a wide range of potential activities that help improve the fundamental aspects of karate, leading to the development of a well-rounded and resilient martial artist who can continue practicing karate well into their senior years.
Justin Testa is a highly respected martial artist with 58 years of experience in Uechi-Ryu karate. He holds the rank of 9th Dan and the titles of Hanshi and Shihan. Inspired by his teachers and students, Justin has devoted his life to studying and teaching Uechi-Ryu karate. Justin lives in Hull, Massachusetts, USA, with his wife, Donna, and their two dogs, Zoe and Phoebe. He is retired from a business career and currently teaches Uechi-Ryu karate to Mattson Academy of Karate members worldwide. In his free time, he enjoys spending time with his two grandchildren, Blake and Cole.
Justin Testa has been a dedicated student of mine for over 50 years, immersing himself in the teachings of countless instructors and exploring various martial arts systems.
Four years ago, Justin retired from his day job and graciously volunteered to assist me in managing my virtual karate academy while continuing his physical training. I can confidently say that Justin is a fantastic instructor and one of the most exceptional martial artists I have ever encountered. His unwavering passion for Uechi-Ryu and his commitment to the fundamental goal of teaching, which is to cultivate healthy, strong, and formidable students, is truly inspiring.
Justin has embraced the "OldWay" philosophy and the science-based rules of teaching martial arts, resulting in our students' outpouring sincere encouragement, motivation, and skill development. Throughout our journey, Justin and I have shared a common belief in the importance of continuous learning. As a proponent of remaining a student while teaching, I have always strived to improve and enhance what I pass on to my students. Justin wholeheartedly adopted this philosophy, and the results have been remarkable. Our students have benefited immensely from his dedication and commitment to self-improvement.
Together, Justin and I have delved into the depths of Uechi-Ryu, endeavoring to extract its essence and unravel the mysteries hidden within Sanchin's seemingly simple movements. In his captivating book, Justin has unveiled much of the style's formerly concealed understructure.
I wholeheartedly recommend that all students and teachers of Uechi-Ryu study this enlightening work, as it sheds light on the intricacies of the art and offers invaluable insights.
In conclusion, I endorse Sensei Justin Testa's book on Uechi-Ryu karate with great pleasure. His dedication, expertise, and unwavering commitment to the art make him an exceptional instructor and martial artist. I am confident that his book will inspire and educate readers, giving them a deeper understanding of Uechi-Ryu and its profound impact on martial arts.
George E. Mattson
Sensei Testa shares his vast knowledge of Uechi-Ryu karate in an easy-to-read and insightful book. The principles discussed in this book are helpful to students of Uechi-Ryu and apply to all styles. This book is a must-read for all martial artists!
Insights into Uechi-Ryu is the book that every Uechi-Ryu practitioner has eagerly anticipated. It offers a profound understanding of the method. The book is beautifully produced and easy to read, featuring rich illustrations that enhance the content. Sensei Testa possesses a unique ability to describe how complex mechanisms function in a clear and engaging manner. Additionally, it includes excellent training tips. I highly recommend this book.
There are detailed, clear, and precise explanations. There is no excess information, and there is no lack of it. Testa Sensei clearly writes about very important concepts. The book is an excellent source of reference and research for those who wish to understand the technical aspects of Uechi-Ryu Karate in greater depth.
Uechi-Ryu Karate has evolved significantly over the past five decades. In his book, Justin Testa presents the OldWay of Uechi-Ryu Karate as taught by George Mattson. This OldWay is described with a modern approach! This book is a must-have and can serve as a training method with the 12-week program or as a daily resource for advanced students.
Insights into Uechi-Ryu Karate is an exceptional training manual for the Uechi dojo. It clearly explains the various training "hows" and "whys," providing Uechi students with a strong foundation for their training.
Join the Mattson Academy and train with Grandmaster George E. Mattson and Hanshi Justin Testa at home on your schedule.
The program is a self-directed learning process where students’ progress is monitored through workout journal entries, recorded video demonstrations, and instructor reviews.
To get the most out of training with a punching bag, emphasize accuracy, correct body positioning, and biomechanics.
Resistance bands provide continuous resistance during movement, allowing you to relax the muscles not involved and focus only on the muscles needed for the movement.
Incorporating a Wing Chun Dummy into your study of Uechi-Ryu karate can significantly enhance your training.
Sensei Justin Testa demonstrates and explains that the power delivered at the point of impact depends on the OldWay principles of body flow and kime. These principles describe Pangainoon's concept of "half-hard, half-soft," where "half-hard" represents "kime" and "half-soft" represents body flow.
Sensei Testa leads the group in developing power from the floor using resistance bands.
This clip is from the 1976 movie Super Weapon, and features George Mattson, Jimmy Maloney, Bob Campbell, and Justin Testa.
Kanbun Uechi, for whom this karate system is named, studied Pangainoon in China at the Central Temple in the Fujian Province from 1897 to 1910. Kanbun left Okinawa in 1897 to avoid being conscripted into the Japanese army and to study the Chinese martial arts. Little is known of Kanbun’s 13 years in China. His son, Kanei, did say that Kanbun directed all his energies toward mastering Pangainoon. He learned the physical art, which included Chinese medicine and the underlying philosophy.
After 10 years of study, Kanbun was permitted to open his school in Nansoue, China. Unfortunately, one of his students was provoked into an argument and accidentally struck his attacker with a fatal blow. The village blamed this death on Kanbun. After teaching for three years in China, Kanbun returned to Okinawa, vowing never to teach karate again. There are many versions of the story about how Kanbun Uechi returned to teaching. The following story was told by Kanei Uechi, Kanbun’s son, and confirmed by Kanbun’s first student, Ryuyu Tomoyose. Kanbun Uechi returned to Okinawa in 1910. About two years later, Gokenkein, a Chinese tea merchant and former student of Kanbun in China, visited Okinawa on a business trip. Gokenkein urged Kanbun to resume teaching, but with no success. Gokenkein became involved in a fight with a Naha karate teacher and defeated the teacher. Many other teachers challenged him but were not able to defeat Gokenkein. Many visited him, asking to be instructed in his style of karate. Gokenkein told them that there lived on Okinawa a great karate expert who was his teacher in China, Kanbun Uechi. Many young men visited Kanbun, asking him to teach, but he denied being a karate teacher.
Every year, the Motobu police department hosts a celebration where all local karate schools showcase their styles. The other teachers, anxious to see the proof of Kanbun’s skills, asked the mayor of Motobu to request that Kanbun demonstrate at the celebration. Kanbun, not wanting to lose face, went onto the stage. Kanbun performed the kata Seisan extremely fast with strength and power. From then on, he was respected throughout Okinawa as a great karate expert. There was so much pressure for him to teach that Kanbun decided to leave Okinawa for Japan in 1924.
While in Japan, Kanbun lived in a housing compound in Wakayama, near Osaka. There he met a young Okinawan, Ryuyu Tomoyose. Tomoyose confronted Kanbun because he was aware of Kanbun’s karate ability and implored him to give him lessons. Kanbun finally agreed, but Ryuyu would never tell anyone else. Two years later, Tomoyose asked Kanbun to teach the public, arguing that the art would die out if he did not. Finally, Kanbun consented. Tomoyose recruited many students, mostly Okinawans. Kanbun taught in Wakayama until 1947.
Kanei Uechi, Kanbun’s son, began his study of karate in 1930 under his father’s tutelage in Japan. He opened his school in Osaka two years later. He returned to Okinawa and settled down in Nago. Ryuko Tomoyose, the son of Ryuyu, who was living in Futenma, heard that Kanei had returned to Okinawa. Ryuko found Kanei and convinced him to teach. Ryuko and a group of karate students built a dojo for Kanei and brought him to Futenma. This was the first time Okinawa had a teacher of Pangainoon.
When Kanbun died in 1948, his students renamed the style Uechi-ryu (Ryu is the Japanese word for style).
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