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The First By-Laws

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   In April 1933, Kanbun Uechi and his senior students formed the Shubukai (Organization of Martial Training), and developed the following by-laws to govern the school (this was in effect until the 1955 revision):

1.    This association will be called "Shubukai".

2.    The association headquarters shall be located at Uechi Kanbun's residence in Tebira-cho.

 

         

3.    The associations goals are the following principles:

             a.  We will embody the principles of filial piety and make efforts to be upright citizens.

             b.  We will deepen our understanding of everyday life and pursue a hard working, humble, and frugal life-style.

             c.  We emphasize physical exercise and bodily health.

             d.  We will cultivate moral behavior and increase our appreciation of others.

             e.  We will promote social spirit and contribute to public well-being.

4.    Our members will refrain from drunken violence and will not injure another person under penalty of immediate expulsion.

5.    Twenty yen will be collected each month for dojo maintenance.

6.    There will be a one yen registration fee.[89]

       Kanbun's school grew to several hundred, with forty-four senior members.  As can be seen from the following list, this group of senior students were mainly from Okinawa, most of them were noticeably from Ie-son (a northern off-island).  This is evidence of the fact that when martial arts instruction was first offered, students were preferentially limited to those from the same region.

 

SHATAKU DOJO PRACTITIONERS  April 1926 - March 1932

       Ryuyu Tomoyose (Okinawa, Ie-son), Genmei Uezato (Okinawa, Kume-jima), Kata Yamashiro (Okinawa, Ie-son), Saburo Uehara (Okinawa, Oroku), Gichu Matayoshi (Okinawa, Urasoe-son), Kanei Uechi (Okinawa, Motobu-cho), Shuei Sakiyama (Okinawa, Ie-son), Bunkichi Tamagusuku (Okinawa, Motobu-cho), Kaei Akamine (Okinawa, Itoman-shi), Tamamura Susumu (Okinawa, Naha-shi).

  

TEBIRA DOJO PRACTITIONERS      Pan-gai-nun-ryu Karate-jutsu       

                         Institute Period

       April 1932 - 1934

       Hachizo Oshiro (Okinawa, Ie-son), Chigen Bise (Okinawa, Ie-son), Kazuo Kishimoto (Okinawa, Ie-son), Yamata Chinen (Okinawa, Ie-son), Seiryo Shinjo (Okinawa, Ie-son), Noboru Uchima (Okinawa, Ie-son), Takanobu Matayoshi (Okinawa, Urasoe-shi), Senuke Yabiku (Okinawa, Ie-son), Takeo Gibo (Okinawa, Ie-son).

       1935 - 1937

       Misao Kitamura (Wakayama), Seiichi Hosokawa (Wakayama), Chuichi Kameyama (Wakayama), Tadamitsu Kamei (Wakayama), Takeshi Yamazaki (Kagawa), Seitoku Teruya (Okinawa, Tamagusuku-son), Kiyoaki Enomoto (Wakayama), Eika Hirayama (Okinawa, Motobu-cho), Morika Iju (Okinawa, Takamine-son), Takamasa Negoro (Wakayama), Masaji Kimoto (Wakayama), Shigehide Nakazato (Okinawa, Nakijin-son), Takayoshi Tomoyose (Okinawa, Ie-son), Shukei Minemoto (Wakayama), Tsunejiro Akai (Wakayama), Natsukichi Shimabukuro (Okinawa, Ie-son).

       1938 - 1941

       Takeshi Arinuma (Wakayama), Kotoku Takamine (Okinawa, Nago-shi), Ryuzo Nishitani (Wakayama), Kenichi Demizu (Wakayama), Harumatsu Yabuta (Wakayama), Hansei Yamagusuku (Okinawa, Ie-son), Seitoku Toyama (Okinawa, Naha-shi), Seiko Toyama (Okinawa, Naha-shi), Seiryu Shinjo (Okinawa, Ie-son).

        Kanbun Uechi's students numbered more than two hundred people.  Among them the above-mentioned 44 men are counted as being in his group of senior students.  Among these the most senior were Ryuyu Tomoyose, Genmei Uezato, Saburo Uehara, Kata Yamashiro, Gichu Matayoshi, Kanei Uechi, Shuei Sakihama, Bunkichi Tamagusuku, Hachizo Oshiro, Takeo Gibo, Kazuo Kishimoto, Seiryo Shinjo, Kaei Akamine, Susumu Tamamura, Noboru Uchima, Eika Hirayama, Takayoshi Tomoyose, Natsukichi Shimabukuro, Kotoku Takamine, Seiko Toyama, and Seiryu Shinjo; they were especially talented and outstanding figures in the foundation of Uechiryu KarateDo.  Their existence must be considered to be historical.[90]

 

BRANCH DOJO ESTABLISHED IN OSAKA

       Being anticipated as the 2ND generation of Uechiryu's head family and thought of as a treasure, Kanei Uechi proved himself worthy of the expectation.  Inheriting his father, Kanbun's martial disposition, he surpassed his companions in this attribute and in sharp motor nerves.  Moreover, he was an unusually hard worker.  Becoming a practice demon, he diligently trained day and night; as a result his ability improved remarkably.  He received his father Kanbun's coaching for 10 years.  He mastered theory, spirit, technique, and body to the degree that he was considered to excel his father in these aspects.  With his father Kanbun's approval and upon receiving his certificate of full proficiency, Kanei Uechi opened a branch dojo at Tsurumi Hashi Dori, Nishinari-ku, Osaka-shi in April of 1937.  Kanei was 26 years old and his father was almost 60 years old.  However, although Kanei Uechi was enthusiastic about being the master of a new dojo, upon seeing the sign proclaiming the Pan-gai-nun-ryu Karate-jutsu Institute, Osaka Branch, and upon knowing it was a karate school, only a few people entered it.  In those days people only thought of karate as a means of fighting; it was common for the general public to think of karate as being evil.  Under such circumstances students at the initial classes numbered approximately 20.  Although the branch dojo was not as successful as he hoped, he dreamed and energetically worked for the growth of Pan-gai-nun Ch'uan-fa [Kenpo] in Osaka; an intrepid youth of 26, Kanei Uechi was not satisfied with the state of things as they were, something was missing.  As time went on, he came to realize that there was a strong tendency among the students.  Namely, that there was a high attrition rate among the students and that the natural selection process was severe.  Most students left the dojo and few students remained.  Knowing this tendency, he felt broad-minded and adopted a selective policy regarding the dojo's management and teaching guidance (i.e. the policy of having affairs run by fewer people of superior ability).  Then, he came to realize that only those who could endure the strict practice would remain.  Thus, even if the policy of carefully selecting students did not produce men of skill, time would serve the same function (of weeding out those who were unsuited to the training).  Arriving at a new understanding Kanei Uechi along with his father Kanbun came to establish the same policy, that of not refusing those who came nor of pursuing those who left.  Unfortunately, the Osaka dojo period did not produce any martial artists to transmit their names to posterity.[91]

       On October 18, 1939 Kanei married Shige Nahahara, a marriage which eventually produced 4 daughters; Takeko, Mitsuko, Tomoko, Keiko, and 3 sons; Hiroaki (Kanmei), Hiromasu, and Hirohumi. Kanbun Uechi was 62 years old.

 

HYOGO DOJO PERIOD

      For a short period after their marriage Mr. and Mrs. Kanei Uechi were living the sweet life in the Osaka area; but, having hope in his heart, he moved to Hyogo-ken before long.  In the beginning of 1940 Kanei Uechi established a dojo in his home at Amagasaki-shi, Hyogo-ken.  He was urged to do so by the Okinawan Prefecture Association.  For more than two years he devoted himself to karate instruction in Hyogo and produced many martial artists who passed their names to posterity.  Soon, Japan went plunging into that abominable Greater East Asia War.  Many of these martial artists died on the battlefield.  Studying under Kanei Uechi during the Hyogo Dojo Period, completing the training, also lucky enough to live through the war were such well-developed and excellent students as Kotoku Iraha (Kitanakagusuku-son outskirts - commerce), Soryu Furugen (Naha-shi, Aza outskirts - acupuncture art occupation), and Seiki Itokazu (Naha-shi Daido outskirts - unrestricted occupation).  These three men were active as the triumvirate of the Hyogo Dojo Period.  Now these three men are retired and became members of the Uechiryu KarateDo Association's Advisory Group with the title of Kyoshi Hachidan.[92]

       In the Autumn of 1940, almost 15 years after the establishment of the Pan-gai-nun-ryu Karate-jutsu Institute, Kanbun Uechi made the long awaited change in his school's name upon the recommendation of his students and acquaintances.  It was changed to Uechiryu Karate-do Institute.  This, being named for the founder, Kanbun Uechi's surname, marked the birth of Uechiryu.  This was to become a turning point in making Uechiryu KarateDo's remarkable development a reality both in name and in fact, this honor was a great pleasure for the founder Kanbun Uechi and the other people concerned (Kanei Uechi, senior and junior students and acquaintances) because it was a historical product 31 years in the making since Kanbun's return from China in 1910.  Kanbun was 63 years old and given the name grandmaster.  Thereafter, the number of Uechiryu students in both Wakayama and Hyogo prefectures continued increasing.[93]

       Approximately 1935, a formal Dan, Kyu ranking system came into being.  Until then, there was no formal ranking system.  Dan ranks were licensed not through strict and impartial examination regulations but by direct recognition of the master's skilled authorization.  Dan ranks and titles came to be given only irregularly.  From 1926 until 1945, Ryuyu Tomoyose and Kanei Uechi were the only two men to receive Dan rank and the title of Hanshi personally from Kanbun Uechi.  On January 14, 1940 Ryuyu Tomoyose and one year later on January 14, 1941 Kanei Uechi each were licensed as Godan rank.  Later in January of 1945, Ryuyu Tomoyose was awarded the highest title of "Hanshi" from Kanbun Uechi.  Then, 14 years later, on July 11, 1959, Kanei Uechi received the Hanshi title, in the name of Kanbun Uechi, certified by his senior Hanshi Ryuyu Tomoyose.

       Further, it is generally known, the Pan-gai-nun-ryu Karate-jutsu Institute produced many distinguished and talented martial artists, who built up the Uechiryu's first Golden Age.  Based on good deeds, diligent daily training, and excellence of technique, they were awarded the "kyoshi" title posthumously at the 1974 Uechiryu KarateDo Association's General meeting.  As for the senior students of the First Golden Age who were still living, the "Kyoshi" title was given retroactively to December 3, 1964.  As such, December 3, 1964 was the date on which the Uechiryu KarateDo association first issued the "Kyoshi" title.[94]

       On May 10, 1941 Hiroaki (Kanmei), eldest son of Kanei, was born.  By April 1942, Kanei Uechi decided to return to Okinawa after most of his students were called to war.  Entrusting future affairs to his senior pupils, Kotoku Iraha, Soryu Furugen, and Seiki Itokazu, Kanei Uechi left the Hyogo dojo.  He returned to Okinawa with his wife and children.  For Kanei Uechi it was a returning home after a 15 year absence.  Kanei Uechi was 31 years old.

      By then, the Uechi family had already moved from Motobu's Izumi to Nago's Miyazato.  His return was to take care of his mother, brother, and sisters.  Soon after settling down in Nago's Miyazato, Kanei Uechi gathered his younger brother Kansei Uechi (then 20 years old), Kohan Toyozate, and some neighborhood youths and began teaching in a spacious backyard garden.  That was in fact, Uechiryu's Okinawan beginnings.  This came to be known as Uechiryu Karate-jutsu Research Club at Miyazato village near Nago.[95]

      Ryuko Tomoyose, son of Ryuyu, was living in Futenma Okinawa when he learned from his father that Kanbun's son Kanei Uechi was in Okinawa.  He traveled from Futenma to Nago in search of him.  He tried to persuade Kanei to teach in Futenma where he and a few others planned to build a dojo for him.[96] However, in 1944, Kanei, his younger brother Kansei, and most of the students were called into the war effort to defend Okinawa.  The school in Nago closed.[97]

      So at age 33, Kanei, drafted into military service was assigned to the station of Ie-jima garrison (an island off the north coast of Okinawa).  This garrison was commanded by Major Tadashi Igawa.  He was later transferred to Colonel Takahiko Udo's Kunigami ground support.  Kanei's commanding officer, Lt. Jinbo, a first lieutenant, knew that private Uechi was a "Shihan" of karate and made him perform in front of the soldiers whenever possible.  It was Jinbo who was to save Kanei's life and with it, secure the future of Uechiryu KarateDo.  Early in March 1945 Kanei Uechi was one of 40 soldiers from Ie-jima sent back to the main island as a supply squadron.  By the middle of April the U.S. force took Ie-jima and the whole Japanese infantry division was wiped out.  After the war ended, Kanei returned to Okinawa.

      The Shubukai had prospered until Japan's entrance into World War II drew all but a few students away to battle.  With Japan in shambles, Kanbun Uechi, in October 1946 at age 69, returned to his village in Okinawa.  This was to be his last voyage.  His fellow travelers were two of his senior students; Seiryu (Seitoku) Shinjo, and Seiryo Shinjo (Seiryu's son).  Upon leaving, he placed the dojo in the hands of Ryuyu Tomoyose who then taught a small group of family and close friends.[98]  In 1948, when post-war policies changed, Ryuyu Tomoyose was able to teach publicly again.  In 1957 he moved the dojo to a nearby location and taught until his death in 1970.  Shortly after World War II, many of Kanbun's top students also returned to Okinawa where they hoped to find their village and homes intact following the devastation throughout the island.  Uehara, Gibo, Ihara, Natsukichi, the Toyama brothers (Seitoku and Seiko), Shimabukuro, and Itokuzu were just a few.

      Kanbun Uechi then re-opened the school his son Kanei began in Nago and training began.  He was still shy of publicity and consented to demonstrate his art only two more times after his return to Okinawa;[99] once at the Okinawa City's conference and then again at the Nakijin Village fireman's organization.  Upon retiring, he left teaching to Kanei.

      A year later, in 1947, Kansei Uechi (second son) age 25 returned to Okinawa.  He had been captured by the Russian army in Manchuria and had spent 2 years in a Siberian prison camp.[100]  He returned in time to see his father who had been suffering from a lingering illness.

      Three days after Kanbun's last public performance in January 1948, he fell ill with Nephritis, a disease of the kidney (some forms are also known as Bright's disease).  He fought his illness for the next 10 months but finally died on November 25, 1948 at the age of 71.  At this time he had been living on Ie-jima Island.  He was buried in Nago near some of the old Uechi family lands.[101]  Eventually he was moved to the family tomb in Futenma.  (Note: After World War II, the living conditions were very bad on Okinawa.  American forces were not able to provide sufficient food for the locals, and so, as a result, many Okinawans contracted kidney disorders.  Kanbun's disorder could have been treated but when others implored him to see a doctor (something he had never done), he said "I will live until 88" and that "it isn't necessary for me to get treatment."  Mr. Tomoyose told me in 1957, but wasn't discussed at the 1967 meetings, that just before Kanbun died, he stood up and got into a Sanchin stance.  Focusing every muscle in his body he yelled out "it isn't time, you can't have me!"  He then fell over and died).[102]

       At the end of April 1949, shortly after the death of his father Kanbun, Kanei Uechi, now 38 years old left his home in Nago.  Moving South, he established the Nodake thatched hut dojo at Ginowan-cho, Aza Nodake 1537 banchi.  He put out a sign, "Uechiryu Karate Jutsu Kenkyu-jo"  (Uechi Karate study hall).  The Kanzatobaru dojo (zinc-roofed) in the suburbs of Naha was also set up with Mr. Seiki Itukazu from the Hyoyo dojo as senior student.[103]  Kanei does this with the help of Ryuko Tomoyose, son of Ryuyu, in Ginowan-cho.  Tomoyose was 20 years old.  Three days a week, every other day, Kanei would bus to Naha to teach a large number of students at the Kanzatobaru dojo.  He did this because he wanted to make Uechiryu grow.

       Teaching at the Nodake thatched hut dojo for nearly seven years, Uechiryu was becoming more widely known day by day in the central and southern section, and more and more people were requesting entry into the thatched hut Nodake dojo.  Finally, the dojo became too small and it became necessary to seek a more spacious dojo.  Thereupon, in June 1955, he moved the dojo to Ginowan-cho, Aza Futenma 163 banchi (100 meters to the northeast of the present dojo).  This dojo was built with a tile roof and was a large place, being more than 850 square feet.[104]

       (Translator's note: In July 1957, after teaching at this tile-roofed dojo for about two years, Kanei Uechi moved both his Futenma class and his Kanzatobaru class to a new dojo at Ginowan-cho, Aza Futenma 166 banchi.  This is the current location of the dojo but in December, 1963 a new ferro-concrete building was constructed.  Known as the Soke Shubukan, this dojo is the World Headquarters of the Uechiryu KarateDo Association).  The dojo is situated at the top of the highest hill in Futenma.[105]

       In May 1956, the first meeting of the Okinawa KarateDo Renmei (Okinawa Karate Federation) was held in Naha.  At this time, Kanei was made a charter member.

       Kanei Uechi has been awarded three "Hanshi" titles.  To receive these titles is the greatest honor for a martial artist.  On July 11, 1959, Ryuyu Tomoyose authorized and awarded the Hanshi title.  On March 19, 1967 at age 55, Kanei Uechi was awarded the rank of Hanshi Judan (10Th. Dan) by the Zen Nihon KarateDo Renmei (All Japanese KarateDo Federation) and official recognition as the Master of Uechiryu KarateDo.  Then, on April 11, 1967 the Zen Okinawan KarateDo Renmei (All Okinawan Karate Federation) awarded Master Kanei Uechi the same by a unanimous decision -- Hanshi Judan).  Later, in May 1975, Master Kanei Uechi would be elected President of the same association.  He was almost 64 years old.[106]

       In the winter of 1966, Kanei Uechi (age 54), Ryuko Tomoyose, and other members of the Uechi Karate Association visited Taiwan and met with Chinese Kenpo experts to discuss the origins of Pan-gai-nun.  As a result, it is believed that "Shushabu" is a variant pronunciation (due to different local dialect) of "Shushiwa" a famed Kenpo teacher from Foochow.

       Then, in August 1967, Kanei Uechi and Ryuko Tomoyose visited the United States of America to observe Uechiryu KarateDo's growth.

       In January 1971 the "Shubukai" was renamed "Uechiryu KarateDo Kyokai" (Uechi Karate Association) and became an international organization with member schools in the United States, Canada, England, France, Yugoslavia, Bulgaria, Saudi Arabia, Mexico, Brazil, Argentina, Australia, New Zealand, and the Philippines.

       Pan-gai-nun-ryu was reformed in October of 1978 by a breakaway group of Kanei Uechi's disciples headed by Seiko Itokazu and Takashi Kinjo.  One reason was that they wanted to include Kobudo as well as other fighting arts in their dojo training.[107]  This, however, was not the only reason for this split.

       In April 1984, Kanei Uechi (age 72), Ryuko Tomoyose, Kansei Uechi, and other members of the Uechi Karate Association visited Foochow City, Fukien Province, China, to retrace Kanbun's life there and the origins of Uechiryu KarateDo.  There they received historical background concerning Shushabu (Chou-tse-ho, Shushiwa).  It was then that they discovered that possibly Shushiwa and Shushabu were different individuals.[108]  Research is still being conducted to learn more of Shushabu and the origins of Pan-gai-nun.

      Then, in August 1984, the same group along with Kanei's wife Shige, eldest son Kanmei, and nephew Hirosada visited the United States to observe Uechiryu KarateDo in America.

       In November, 1985 Master Uechi and a number of Okinawan Instructors hosted a winter camp on Okinawa.  Over 60 Americans attended this 2 week camp.

       On February 24, 1991 at age 79, Kanei Uechi died in Okinawa.  He is buried in the families "turtle-back tomb" on the side of a hill in Futenma.

       As brought from China, Pan-gai-nun, the basic system transplanted by Kanbun Uechi consisted of the three kata's; Sanchin, Seisan, and Sanseiryu.  The system also consisted of Kakeai (technique experimentation) and body conditioning drills.  "Min-chin-chu-ryu" was a phase often used by Kanbun to describe Pan-gai-nun.  Kanei states; "It is supposed to mean speed with glare.  This represents the idea of moving very fast, yet with the glare or spirit of strength."  "Kanbun also mentioned that Pan-gai-nun meant "half-hard and half-soft," which probably refers to the outer hardness and inner softness of one's body during practice."  (Note: The names of the original three kata are literally translated into; 3 conflicts for Sanchin, 13 for Seisan, and 36 for Sanseiryu.  These names are only valuable in their historical place).

       Through years of experience Master Uechi realized the need for Uechiryu to evolve and grow.  Understanding a need to expand the curriculum, he proceeded to develop other fighting techniques taught to him by his father.  Over time he created additional Katas (forms), Yakasuke Kumite's (sparring drills), Bunkai's (kata applications), a stretching routine called Junbi-Undo, and a technique exercise called Hojoundo.  Initially, all were developed for demonstrations, but eventually became regular training methods and requirements.  All of these methods form a bridge to the understanding of the "sacred three" kata's -- Sanchin, Seisan, and Sanseiryu.

 

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[89] Breyette (pg. 5)

[90] Mahar (pg. 456-457)

[91] Mahar (pg. 485)

[92] Mahar (pg. 487)

[93] Mahar (pg. 437)

[94] Mahar (pg. 465)

[95] Mahar (pg. 537)

[96] Mattson (pg. 13)

[97] Breyette (pg. 6)

[98] Breyette (pg. 6)

[99] Breyette (pg. 6)

[100] Breyette (pg. 6)

[101] Breyette (pg. 6)

[102] Mattson (pg. 245)

[103] Mahar (pg. 551, 552, 556)

[104] Mahar (pg. 551, 552-556)

[105] Mahar (pg. 465-467)

[106] Mahar (pg. 465-467)

[107] Bishop (pg. 46)

[108] Breyette (pg. 2)

 

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