Uechi Ryu
The Janitor Who Became A Karate Master
Uechi Ryu Karate is one of the world’s most popular martial arts and is among several other combative arts practiced in Japan such as aikido, judo, and kendo, to name a few. Karate is a Japanese term that means the “way of the empty hand”. Ryu, on the other hand, means school or style. This art was founded by and named after Kanbun Uechi. The style of Karate that was developed by Kanbun is universally acknowledged as a Japanese form of self-defense. Its roots, however, can actually be traced back to China. Although Kanbun introduced many innovations to develop his own self-defense system, the principles and techniques of his Okinawan martial art were based on a earlier Chinese form of self-defense system called Pangai-Noon.
In 1897, the 19-year-old Kanbun travelled from Okinawa to Fujian province in China to learn martial arts under a renowned Chinese master named Shushiwa. For close to a decade, Kanbun faithfully practiced and served his martial arts teacher to learn the rudiments of punching, blocking, kicking, and other physical movements. In those days, students of martial arts regarded their teachers with such honor and respect that they were often at the beck-and-call of such mentors. It was not unusual to see pupils clean the house, cook food, wash clothes, and perform every task given to them by their teachers. Kanbun, however, regarded his training under Shushiwa as a rare privilege. As an apprentice, he was secretly taught the strategies and unique combative movements akin to the motions of a tiger, crane, and the mythical dragon. In Chinese martial arts, majority of movements are derived from the defensive as well as predatory behavior of animals.
While studying martial arts, Kanbun had to work several odd jobs to support himself. Despite the hardships of living and working alone in a foreign land, Kanbun was determined to make something of himself primarily through his study of Pangai-Noon. The almost destitute teenager from Okinawa slowly grew into a man of amazing physical prowess. After learning enough martial principles and techniques from his master, Kanbun opened his own martial arts school in Nanking, China. In those days, it was rare for non-Chinese to teach much less own a school since the martial arts were regarded as a closely guarded secret. In fact, the martial arts were passed only traditionally from father to son, or only within one’s own family. Unlike today, martial arts then were taught only to a handful of trusted relatives or close friends. Kanbun’s dedication to learn Pangai-noon endeared him to Shushiwa, who later authorized the young apprentice to start his own school in China even if he was practically a foreigner. Aside from martial techniques, Kanbun also learned how to concoct herbal medicines which were especially useful after gruelling training sessions.
One day, however, one of Kanbun’s students fatally struck a neighbor using a martial arts technique. That tragedy made Kanbun decide to quit teaching the lethal art that he diligently studied and mastered under Shushiwa. He sought the anonymity and relative insignificance of a laborer’s life compared to the fame he garnered as a Pangai-noon teacher in China. Kanbun eventually landed a job as a janitor in his efforts to stay away from the martial arts, at least, as a teacher. One of Kanbun’s co-workers knew that he was a great martial artist. By incessantly prodding Kanbun to share his knowledge of the martial arts, that co-worker was able to revive the young master’s love for teaching Pangai-noon.
Initially hesistant to teach martial arts, the demands of supporting his family led Kanbun back to the path of martial arts. In 1925, Kanbun opened another martial arts school in Wakayama prefecture and taught new pupils the intricacies of his self-defense system. His style was a combination of rigid training involving the use of “hard” and “soft” techniques. By 1940, Kanbun had officially called his system Uechi Ryu Karate. Aside from the traditional punches, blocks, and kicks, Kanbun had already incorporated grappling, takedowns, and close-in fighting techniques to make his style more relevant to street self-defense.
According to martial tradition, Kanbun taught his son, Kanei, the secrets of Uechi Ryu. It was Kanei who later worked hard to propagate his father’s teachings throughout Okinawa. It was some of Kanei’s own senior students who taught foreigners this unique style of Karate, which eventually led to the expansion of Uechi Ryu to other countries as a martial discipline and sport. By the time of Kanbun’s death in 1948, thousands of Okinawans, Japanese, and a number of Westerners were already devout practitioners of the art. Through his tough exploits in China as a young disciple and because of his dedication to teaching others the philosophy and practical applications of martial arts, Kanbun became one of the most respected masters in karate history.
US $2,995.00
Filed under: Martial Arts Styles
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