The art and science of Uechi-Ryu Karate

Justin 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

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.

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 (see History). The style was expanded and popularized by his son, Kanei Uechi.

Pangainoon, meaning "half-hard, half-soft," refers to the principle in Uechi-ryu where one develops 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. It is a very practical style of karate for self-defense, emphasizing front-facing stances and body position; circular blocking movements; tenshin (evading) movement; combined block/strike techniques; kicks below the waist; and toe, knuckle, and open hand striking.

There are eight kata in Uechi-Ryu. 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 help the students further develop their Uechi-Ryu techniques. Sanchin kata is the foundation of the style. Kanbun Uechi says, "All is in Sanchin (see the Old Way)."

The eight kata are Sanchin, Kanshiwa, Kanshu, Seichin, Seisan, Seiryu, Kanchin, and Sanseiryu. In addition to the eight kata, the style practices Junbi Undo stretching exercises; Hojo Undo technique-based warm-up exercises, pre-arranged kumite (sparring); freestyle kumite (sparring); Bunkai (kata movement application); Kotikitae (arm conditioning); and Ashikitae (leg conditioning).

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 learn the Chinese fighting system. Little is known of Kanbun’s 13 years in China. His son, Kanei, did say that Kanbun directed all his energies toward the mastery of 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.  

Many versions of the story of 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 instruct them 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 that he was a karate teacher. 

Every year, the Motobu police department has a celebration where all karate schools demonstrate 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 knew 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, son of Ryuyu, who was living in Futenma, heard that Kanei was back in 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 Pangai Noon.  

When Kanbun died in 1948, his students renamed the style Uechi-ryu (ryu is the Japanese word for style).