Kanbum Uechi Biography

[Keith Elliston]

Here is an interview with the writer who wrote the biography of Kanbum Uechi.  

http://www.okikukai.jp/English/biography.htm

Seth found it after I sent him the pdf of the book.

In this you will find a very interesting exchange...

(Sumida) How do you think Kanbun sensei would react if he were to see the Uechi-ryu techniques we now practice? His son Kanei did a lot of research into and made a number of changes to the style. 

(Fujimoto) I think he would be most surprised by the circle block (mawashi uke) that is currently used in Uechi-ryu. Kanbun sensei did not teach a circle block and would instead use an inside-out parry (kake uke) for mid-section attacks and an upper block (hajiki uke) to defend against attacks to the head. I personally believe he would question why a circular motion should be used to protect against a strike to the face. Kanbun's students I talked to iejima who were with him in Wakayama sometimes said, "It may be that times have changed, but a lot of the karate used today doesn't seem to have much practical application." Of course, I recognize that the techniques of modern Uechi-ryu developed as a result of improvements made by our own teachers and am in no way demeaning their value. 

I suspect that the circle block that we practice as Uechi curriculum actually was much more like the water hand of crane.. this is the first evidence I have seen that supports this.  very interesting.

Keith
--

Keith O. Elliston, PhD
keith.e...@gmail.com
+1 978.652.9260

[vinny395]

Sounds right.

I don't think Kanei spent enough time with his father. Just my opinion. 

We'll talk tonight.

Sent from my Samsung Galaxy smartphone.

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[Keith Elliston]

sounds good...

[Anthony_sarkissian]

Interesting indeed!

Anthony

---- Keith Elliston wrote ----