Can someone give me a brief outline of the history of Uechi in america in terms of the various organizations that exist?
I'm aware of several, but I'm having trouble finding a clear picture of how the system has branched and split organizationally in the US. Can anyone help me out with a timeline, or bits and pieces of a timeline? Just in terms of what organizations there are, when they branched and maybe who the heads are? Failing that maybe just a pointer on where to go look for it?
Thanks.
Uechi-Ryu Organizations
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Bill Glasheen
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This is an evolving issue, Justin. It would take quite a long time to document, and it's fair to say that there are some sensitive feelings on the subject.
In my book, anyone who does sanchin with open hands is doing Uechi Ryu.
The major organizations pretty much follow what is going on in Okinawa (SOKE, Kenukai, Okikukai, Pangainoon) with the exception of IUKF. And the allegiences to these organizations change all the time.
Once upon a time, we all reported to Uechi Kanei. When he became ill, "stuff happened" on Okinawa. Sadly Uechi Kanei recovered long enough to see the beginning of the end of the organization he and his father built. But it was only a matter of time. There are no more Uechi Kanbuns and Uechi Kaneis in the world today. They are one-of-a-kind.
American Uechi Ryu mostly started with George Mattson and Jim Thompson. Most of what you see today came from these two men directly or indirectly. George's teacher was Tomoyose Ryuko, and Jim's was Uechi Kanei. Various students of Shinjo father and son have made it over through the years, and have established their own allegiences to the Shinjo family.
NAUKA (North American Uechi Karate Association) was the largest and most notable North American Uechi organization before the grab for power on Okinawa. The rest is history.
- Bill
In my book, anyone who does sanchin with open hands is doing Uechi Ryu.
The major organizations pretty much follow what is going on in Okinawa (SOKE, Kenukai, Okikukai, Pangainoon) with the exception of IUKF. And the allegiences to these organizations change all the time.
Once upon a time, we all reported to Uechi Kanei. When he became ill, "stuff happened" on Okinawa. Sadly Uechi Kanei recovered long enough to see the beginning of the end of the organization he and his father built. But it was only a matter of time. There are no more Uechi Kanbuns and Uechi Kaneis in the world today. They are one-of-a-kind.
American Uechi Ryu mostly started with George Mattson and Jim Thompson. Most of what you see today came from these two men directly or indirectly. George's teacher was Tomoyose Ryuko, and Jim's was Uechi Kanei. Various students of Shinjo father and son have made it over through the years, and have established their own allegiences to the Shinjo family.
NAUKA (North American Uechi Karate Association) was the largest and most notable North American Uechi organization before the grab for power on Okinawa. The rest is history.
- Bill
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Stryke
Yeah, I was hoping to avoid that by not asking why there was splitting, just the surface details of what happened. But I really appreciate your trying to answer my question and the information you've provided, Bill.Bill Glasheen wrote:This is an evolving issue, Justin. It would take quite a long time to document, and it's fair to say that there are some sensitive feelings on the subject.
Sadly, the rest is history that I don't know how to access other than by asking.NAUKA (North American Uechi Karate Association) was the largest and most notable North American Uechi organization before the grab for power on Okinawa. The rest is history.
Hi All:
Intresting topic. When I started back in 1969, I do not think NAUKA was established. George Mattson had us all wear on our gi's the patch "United Karate Federation". We were all part of that, what ever that was back then. In fact I still have the patch. Along with many others I have collected over the years.
One of the most original and colorful patches was - The Uechi Ryu Red Dragon Society. Does anyone remember that.
Take care - Jay
Intresting topic. When I started back in 1969, I do not think NAUKA was established. George Mattson had us all wear on our gi's the patch "United Karate Federation". We were all part of that, what ever that was back then. In fact I still have the patch. Along with many others I have collected over the years.
One of the most original and colorful patches was - The Uechi Ryu Red Dragon Society. Does anyone remember that.
Take care - Jay
Jay Sal
Semper Fi
Semper Fi
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HALFORD E. JONES
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LET ME THROW THESE OUT FOR COMMENT
NEKRA,which became KRANE; Charles Murphy who taught Uechi-Ryu in Manchester, New Hampshire; Sali Azem who was a student there, and a green belt at the time I knew him; George Chartier's New Hampshire State Karate Championships;etc. etc. et c. 1968-69-70-71-72. 
Hello:
Please let me clearify my last post. I was only talking about only Uechi ryu associations. one being, NAUKA - North American Uechi Karate Association.
NERKA, New England Referee Karate Assocition. Which was created and founded by (Goerge Mattson, Bob Cheesic, Lew Lazott, George Pazarie, and John Dee), is not a Uechi Ryu association. it is a orginization made up of many different martial art styles. Some may not know that NERKA is the fore runner to KRANE, as Mr. Jones said in his post.
The Karate Referees Association of New England (KRANE), was created When NERKA dispanded, John Dee picked it up and redesigned it and renamed it to KRANE. The name KRANE is NERKA respelled a little differently. I was very luckey to be voted in by the KRANE membership
for a for a five year appointment on the KRANE board of directors.
Thank you - Jay
Please let me clearify my last post. I was only talking about only Uechi ryu associations. one being, NAUKA - North American Uechi Karate Association.
NERKA, New England Referee Karate Assocition. Which was created and founded by (Goerge Mattson, Bob Cheesic, Lew Lazott, George Pazarie, and John Dee), is not a Uechi Ryu association. it is a orginization made up of many different martial art styles. Some may not know that NERKA is the fore runner to KRANE, as Mr. Jones said in his post.
The Karate Referees Association of New England (KRANE), was created When NERKA dispanded, John Dee picked it up and redesigned it and renamed it to KRANE. The name KRANE is NERKA respelled a little differently. I was very luckey to be voted in by the KRANE membership
for a for a five year appointment on the KRANE board of directors.
Thank you - Jay
Jay Sal
Semper Fi
Semper Fi
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RACastanet
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HALFORD E. JONES
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SORRY,BUT THE TERM IS NEKRA, NOT NERKA!
The correct spelling of George Presare's name is PRESARE. He was/is based in Rhode Island. NAUKA came into being after this, if I am not mistaken. Those who did not join NAUKA or those who were trained abroad in Uechi Ryu were not recognized by NAUKA and attempts to shut them down or make them desist from teaching Uechi were made,something that many might not realize in this day and age.
Hello:
Thank you for the spelling correction. Perhaps I misspelled George's last name, along with mistyping a letter or two. I am sure it will not be the last typo I do in some post. At lest Dave Finkelstien from NY is not seeing this. If he was, I would recieve 5 emails correcting my spelling and grammer. I am not a very good typest. However, NAUKA was a Uechi ryu associstion. The other was a tournament referee association. Two totally different orginizations. One having nothing to do with the other.
I was present when NAUKA was formed and the first board was in place (George Mattson, John Conroy, Charlie Earl, Walter Mattson , Frank Gorman). This is the board I tested before for dan ranks. I remember many forien trained Uechi people from all over the world, visiting and training with us at the old Mattson Academy. All were accepted and welcomed.
I do remember that under NAUKA rules. One had to be at lest a Sandan, or Yondan to open a dojo. Also one uechi dojo was to be in any one town or city. The rules and standards were way out of line, even at that time. That's one of the reasons so many people broke away and atarted there own groups and associations. Everything from the Red Dragon society (Al Ford), , to the American Combat Karate association (Jack Wild who changed his name from - aka - Jacob Waxman).
Once many started there own groups. They strated advancing in rank under gorups like the United States Karate Associstion. It was these types of groups (None uechi), that I knew NAUKA did not recognize in awarding rank. It was people that were promoted in rank under none uechi groups that I knew had to retest for rank when many decited to return to the Uechi dojo's. Dojo's that were all under the banner of the Uechi Ryu Karate Association of Okinawa, Master Kanie Uechi President.
I remember when Al Ford returned. Al tested once every year for five year till he reached renshi. Then he had to follow the standard time line.
You are correct Mr. Jones, that many even most today do not know what took place back then. However the truth is. Most do not care. Its all water under the bridge. We all have moved on and left the past behind. Today I enjoy training with people from every uechi group or uechi association. We are all friends, and welcome in each others dojo's. We also respect each other views.
Take care - Jay
Thank you for the spelling correction. Perhaps I misspelled George's last name, along with mistyping a letter or two. I am sure it will not be the last typo I do in some post. At lest Dave Finkelstien from NY is not seeing this. If he was, I would recieve 5 emails correcting my spelling and grammer. I am not a very good typest. However, NAUKA was a Uechi ryu associstion. The other was a tournament referee association. Two totally different orginizations. One having nothing to do with the other.
I was present when NAUKA was formed and the first board was in place (George Mattson, John Conroy, Charlie Earl, Walter Mattson , Frank Gorman). This is the board I tested before for dan ranks. I remember many forien trained Uechi people from all over the world, visiting and training with us at the old Mattson Academy. All were accepted and welcomed.
I do remember that under NAUKA rules. One had to be at lest a Sandan, or Yondan to open a dojo. Also one uechi dojo was to be in any one town or city. The rules and standards were way out of line, even at that time. That's one of the reasons so many people broke away and atarted there own groups and associations. Everything from the Red Dragon society (Al Ford), , to the American Combat Karate association (Jack Wild who changed his name from - aka - Jacob Waxman).
Once many started there own groups. They strated advancing in rank under gorups like the United States Karate Associstion. It was these types of groups (None uechi), that I knew NAUKA did not recognize in awarding rank. It was people that were promoted in rank under none uechi groups that I knew had to retest for rank when many decited to return to the Uechi dojo's. Dojo's that were all under the banner of the Uechi Ryu Karate Association of Okinawa, Master Kanie Uechi President.
I remember when Al Ford returned. Al tested once every year for five year till he reached renshi. Then he had to follow the standard time line.
You are correct Mr. Jones, that many even most today do not know what took place back then. However the truth is. Most do not care. Its all water under the bridge. We all have moved on and left the past behind. Today I enjoy training with people from every uechi group or uechi association. We are all friends, and welcome in each others dojo's. We also respect each other views.
Take care - Jay
Jay Sal
Semper Fi
Semper Fi
