The history of Uechi Ryu style of karate began in China. Kanbun Uechi, the founder of our style, left his home in Okinawa at the age of 19 to study martial arts under Shushiwa (shoe‐z‐wa). The Chinese name for the system he studied is Fawn-Nun or Pangai‐Noon (pwang‐ga‐noon), which means “half hard, half soft”. This represents a hard outer shell of muscle, while breathing to remain soft (relaxed, controlled) on the inside. Kanbun studied for 10 years with Shushiwa; from there he became a teacher. He was the first Okinawan to open a training hall in China. In 1940 Kanbun Uechi became a Grand Master in this style. In honor of Kanbun, after his death in 1948, his students changed the name from Pangai‐Noon to Uechi Ryu, (way‐chi‐roo), Ryu meaning “style”.
Uechi Ryu was brought to the United States from Okinawa in 1958 by Sensei (teacher or instructor) George Mattson, who brought the 3 main kata’s (mold or form), arm pounding, and kumite (crossing hands), Today Mr. George Mattson is still very active in the Uechi community, and holds the highest rank here in the United States.
Sensei’s Mia & Travis Parker
-Sensei’s Mia & Travis hold the rank of Nidan (2nd Degree Black Belt).
-Sensei’s Mia & Travis began the study of Uechi Ryu under the tutelage of Sensei Diffendaffer in 1999.
-Sensei’s Parker assumed ownership of Yama Bushi Dojo in 2013.
