1. What is Karate?
Karate is an Unarmed or empty handed method
of self defence stressing punching, kicking
and blocking.
2. What does the word Karate mean?
The word Karate is made up of two Japanese
words: "KARA" meaning empty and "TE" meaning
hand. So simply the word karate means empty
hand.
3. What is Karate Do?
The word "DO" means "THE WAY". Karate Do means: The Way
of Karate, or Karate as a way of life. It refers to the
ability to use one's mental, physical and spiritual skills
acquired through Karate in one's everday life.
4. What is Uechi-Ryu Karate?
Uechi-Ryu Karate is a form of empty handed techniques
based on a Chinese-Okinawan system of self-defense.
5. What does the word "RYU" mean?
"RYU" is a Japanese word meaning style. Uechi-Ryu Karate
means Uechi Style Karate.
6. Where was Okinawan karate first introduced, and by whom was
it introduced?
Okinawan Karate was first introduced to Japan by Gichin
Funakoshi, who studied a form of Chinese Boxing during the
late 1800's. Funakoshi's style of Karate was later named
Shotokan.
7. What country is considered to be the birthplace of the Martial Arts?
China is considered to be the birthplace of the martial arts.
8. What is the Chinese name for Uechi-Ryu, and what does it mean?
Pangai-noon (Pwong-Gay-Noon) is the Chinese name for the
style we now study. It means half hard - half soft.
9. When was the word Uechi-Ryu first used?
The name Uechi-Ryu was first used in 1948, when Kanbun
Uechi died, Kanbun's students renamed the style out of
respect for their teacher. The style's name was changed
from Pangai-noon to Uechi-Ryu.
10. Who was Kanbun Uechi?
Kanbun Uechi was an Okinawan in whose honor this style of
Karate is named. In 1897, Kanbun Uechi left Okinawa For
China to study Chinese Boxing. He studied in Fukien
province in Southern China for ten years. He was the
first non-Chinese to teach in China, and taught there for
a total of 3 years. he was in China for a total of 13
years.
11. Who was Kanbun Uechi's teacher?
Kanbun's teacher was Chou-Tzo-Ho (Jo-Zu-Ho), also know
as Shushiwa; also known as Shushabu.
12. What three animals is Uechi-Ryu Karate based on?
This style of karate is based on the TIGER, the CRANE
and the DRAGON.
13. Why did Kanbun leave China?
Kanbun left China and vowed never to teach Karate
again after one of his students became involved in a
fight over a land dispute and was forced to defend
himself. The student killed the attacker in the process.
Due to public scorn and shame over this matter, Kanbun
left China and returned to Okinawa.
14. When did Kanbun Uechi begin teaching again?
Kanbun began to teach again while living in Japan. He
began teaching an Okinawan named Ryuyu Tomoyose and a
select group of Okinawans.
15. What are the three original katas of the system,
and what do their names mean?
Sanchin 3 Conflicts
Seisan 13 Positions of Attack and Defense
Sanseirui 36 Positions of Attack and Defense
16. What else did Kanbun bring back from China in addition
to the 3 original katas?
Kotickitai, sparring and Chinese medicine
17. Who is Kanei Uechi?
Kanei Uechi is the son of Kanbun Uechi. He was born
June 26, 1911 and he died in February of 1991. Kanei
Uechi was the first Okinawan Master to teach Uechi-Ryu
Karate to westerners.
18. When was Kanbun Uechi born, and when did he die?
Kanbun Uechi was born on May 5, 1877; he died on
November 25, 1948.
19. Who was Kanei Uechi's teacher?
Kanei's teacher was Kanbun Uechi - his father.
20. When did Kanei Uechi begin to study Karate?
Kanei Uechi began to study Karate in 1927.
21. Where was Kanei Uechi's Dojo located?
Kanei's dojo is located in Futenma, Okinawa; and is now
operated by his son, Kanmei Uechi.
22. Who is Kanmei Uechi?
Kanmei Uechi is the son of Kanei Uechi. He holds the rank
Kyudan 9th Degree Black Belt and is the President of the
Uechi Karate Association.
23. Who is George Mattson?
George Mattson was the first American to teach Uechi-Ryu
Karate in the United States and has written several
authoritative texts pertaining to our style of Karate.
24. Who is George Mattson's teacher?
George Mattson's teacher was Ryuko Tomoyose, son of Ryuyu
Tomoyose who was Kanbun Uechi's first Okinawan student.
25. Who is Nancy Gavenda's teacher?
Buzz Durkin
26. What rank does Nancy Gavenda hold?
Rokudan 6th Degree Black Belt
27. What rank does Buzz Durkin hold?
Hachidan 8th Degree Black Belt (also known as Hanshi)
28. Who is Buzz Durkin's teacher?
Buzz Durkin's teacher is George Mattson
29. What rank did kanei Uechi hold?
Judan, a 10th degree black belt (Hanshi-sei)
30. What are the Dan ranks?
1 Shodan
2 Nidan
3 Sandan
4 Yondan
5 Godan
6 Rokudan (Renshi)
7 Nanidan (Kyoshi)
8 Hachidan (Hanshi)
9 Kyudan (Hanshi)
10 Judan (Hanshi-sei)
31. What are the Kyu ranks?
10 Jyukyu
9 KyuKyu
8 HachiKyu
7 Sichikyu
6 Rokyu
5 Gokyu
4 Yonkyu
3 Sankyu
2 Nikyu
1 Ikkyu
32 What are the eight katas of the Uechi System?
Sanchin
Kanshiwa
Konshu
Seichin
Seisan
Seirui
Konchin
Sanserui
33. What is the capital city of Okinawa?
Naha is the capital of Okinawa.
34. What is the formal name for arm rubbing/arm pounding?
Kotickitai
35. What is "MUSHIN"?
"MUSHIN" is a Japanese term meaning no mindedness; clearing
one's mind of distractions.
36. What is "Min-Chin-Chi-Ryu"?
MIN-CHIN-CHI-RYU is a term used by Kanbun Uechi to
describe Pangai-Noon. It means "Speed with Glare".
37. How is a Dojo different from a Gym?
Inside a Dojo there ae a number of rules concerning
respect within the Dojo: Respect for one's teacher and
fellow students and etiquette which are not necessarily
present in a gym. The Dojo is a place where one learns
the Way of Karate as the Way of Life.
38. Why do students bow before and after each Kata and before
and after working with another student?
The Bow is a sign of respect. We bow before each Kata,
first as a sign of respect for the person before whom we
are performing the Kata - be it our Sensei or a senior
student. Secondly, by bowing one asks the senior student
to watch and to promise to try one's best.
39. What are the Principles of Practice?
Remembering that the martial arts begin and end with respect,
I intend to:
1. Develop myself in a positive manner and avoid anything
that would reduce my mental growth or physical health.
2. Develop self-discipline in order to bring out the best
in myself and others.
3. Use what I learn in class constructively and defensively
to help myself and my fellow man and never to be abusive
or offensive.
40. What are the Eight Virtues of a Black Belt?
Modesty
Courtesy
Integrity
Compassion
Gratitude
Self-Control
Perseverance
Indomitable Spirit
41. What is the Uechi-Ryu Butokukai?
The Uechi Ryu Butokukai is an organization of schools
who's Senseis have Buzz Durkin as their teacher and who
test their Dan students together under the auspices of
Mr. Durkin.
42. What does the word "Butokukai" mean?
Butoku - Virtue of the martial arts
Kai - Organization
Butokukai - Organization which promotes
the virtues of
the martial arts.
43. Who are the Butokukai Board of Directors?
Buzz Durkin, Kyoshi
Michael Rozumek, Rokudan
Tracy Rose, Rokudan
Nancy Gavenda, Godan
44. Who are the member Dojos of the Butokukai?
Buzz Durkin, Atkinson, NH
Nancy Gavenda, Danvers, MA
Dan Dovidio, Goffstown, NH
Allen Azoff, Lexington, MA
Michael Chaille, Melrose, MA
Tracy Rose, Northboro, MA
Leyn Burrows, Westwood, NJ
Michael Rozumek, Pepperell, MA
Jim Cameron, Wolfboro, NH
