Uechi Ryu
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Uechi Ryu (上地流) is a style of Karate originated by Master Kanbun Uechi (上地完文), who studied Pan Gai Noon (half-hard half soft) Kung Fu on Mainland China. His son Kanei Uechi taught the style at the Futenma City Dojo, Okinawa. Kanai's most famous American student is George Mattson of Boston, who authored several books on the subject and is responsible for popularizing the style outside of Okinawa. Uechi Ryu emphasises toughness of the body with quick highly effective hand and foot strikes. There are no jumping spin kicks as one would find in Tae Kwon Do. The main weapons are the one-knuckle punch (shoken), spearhand (nukite), Wauke (circular) block, and toe kick. Because of this emphasis on simplicity, stability and general common sense, the style is a practical technique for self-defense. Uechi Ryu is based on the movements of three animals, the Tiger, Dragon, and Crane, representing Strength, Spirit and Balance, respectively.
<p>There are eight katas in Uechi Ryu, the longest of which is 36 steps.
<p><p>1. Sanchin
2. Kanshiwa
3. Konshu
4. Seichin
5. Seisan
6. Seirui
7. Konchin
8. San-Seirui
<p><p>The Sanchin kata is almost boring to look at but teaches the foundation of the style. Kanbun Uechi is quoted on saying "All is in Sanchin." Though it is not difficult to learn the moves of Sanchin, any instructor would be remiss in not describing it as taking a lifetime to master.
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