“The Crown Prince Of Uechi Ryu Karate”
Kanei Uechi 1911 – 1991
“The Crown Prince Of
Uechi Ryu Karate”
Kanei Uechi was the son of Kanbun Uechi, founder of Uechi-ryū, one of the primary Okinawan karate styles. Kanei was instrumental in the continued development of Uechiryu.
In the early years of Kanei's life, his father refused to speak of his martial arts training in China. However, his father once again began teaching Pangainoon. At the age of 16, and in ill-health, Kanei traveled to Wakayama Prefecture, mainland Japan, and trained with his father. Brought from China by Kanbun Uechi, the basic system consisted of three kata: Sanchin, Seisan, and Sanseiryu, Kakeai (technique experimentation) and body conditioning drills that combined the movements of the tiger, dragon, crane, leopard, snake, mantis, and cobra.
Uechi–Ryu KarateDo was originally a form of Chinese Boxing, one of the Pangai-noon half-hard, half-soft styles. By 1927, the art of fighting without weapons was becoming known as “Empty Hand”. From 1931 through the rest of his life Kanei labored to develop new methods and forms to increase understanding of Uechi-Ryu. From this work came the addition of five new kata and two kumite exercises. In 1935, a formal Dan/Kyu ranking system came into being, with ranks licensed by direct recognition of Kanbun’s skilled authorization. Kanei Uchi was one of only two men to receive Dan rank personally from Kanbun. Asian tradition dictated to some degree that the reins of a family system be passed to the eldest son. After Kanei Uechi received Kanbun’s coaching for 10 years, he had mastered theory, spirit, technique, and body to the degree that he was considered to excel his father. With his father’s approval, and upon receiving his certificate of full proficiency, Kanei opened a branch dojo in Osaka.
In April 1942, Kanei returned with his family to Okinawa to take care of his mother, and siblings. He immediately began teaching in a spacious backyard garden to his family and neighborhood youths, in what became known as Uechi ryu Karate-jjtsu Research Club, Mizamoto village. In April 1949, shortly after the death of his father, Kanei renamed the style Uechi Ryu. He established a dojo in Aza Nodake, and with Mr. Seiki Itukazu as senior student, a dojo in Naha. He was awarded the rank of Hanshi Judan (10th Dan) by the All Japanese KarateDo Federation, and official recognition as the Master of Uechiryu KarateDo. On April 11, 1967 the All Okinawa Karate Federation awarded him the Hanshi Judan
In 1971 the Uechi Karate Association became an international organization. Over time Master Uechi created additional kata, sparring drills, and kata applications, a stretching routine, and a technique called Hojo undo. These expansions to the curriculum, and the development of additional fighting techniques, formed a bridge to understanding the original ‘sacred’ three katas.
Since Kanei’s death in Okinawa in 1979, the Uechi ryu system, split into numerous factions, maintains high standards and cooperates with each other on friendly terms.