• FOUNDERS / BIOGRAPHY
UECHI KANEI
Uechi Kanei (the oldest son of Kanbun) was bourn on Okinawa in 1911. He began to practice during 1927 under his father. Although Kanbun sensei had two sons, he never expressed wish to teach them. But Kanbun sensei brought Kanei to training as his son needed to improve his poor health.
Under father's influence Kanei sensei was fully dedicated to training and exploration of PANGAI-NOON. After his promotion to the title of SHIHAN, by his father, at an invitation by some Okinawans, Uechi Kanei moved to Hyogo area in Miyazato, near to Nago, and opened a DOJO. The DOJO was closed a few years later, because of war in which most of his students died. Among those who had luck to survive were: Kotoju Iraha, Soryu Furgen and Itokazu Seiki.
A year after his father’s death Kanei sensei was moved to Nadako near Okinawan Genowen-City. There he built a wooden house which was used as a Dojo. Later with the help from Tomojose Ryuko (son of Ryuryu) and some of from some elders, he built a brick Dojo in Futenma. A new Dojo was named "SOKE" and it became the world center of UECHI-RYU during his life.
Together with his working in the DOJO, Uechi Kanei contemplated about extension of style by addition of certain forms and training methods. So, in cooperation with the best elders and students, he created the system (officially named: UECHI-RYU, in 1970) that went on to become well-known.
• More detailed about the system in chapter: UECHI-RYU
On 11th June 1959, Uechi Kanei was promoted to the title of HANSHI by Tomoyose Ryuko. The date of promotion was coincided with the 33rd anniversary of Kanei’s karate practicing. Later that year an association that will lbecome well-known UECHI-RYU KARATE-DO Association was set up.
Uechi Kanei sensei received recognition for his karate work from two other organizations:
| (1) | "NIPPON KARATE-DO RENMEI" (The Japanese Karate-Do Federation) officially recognized his status as HANSHI 10 DAN, on 19th March 1967, and |
| (2) | "ZEN-OKINAWA KARATE-DO RENMEI" (All-Okinawan Karate-Do Federation) officially recognized his status as HANSHI 10 DAN on 11th April 1967. |
Later that year after these awards, Uechi Kanei became President of the ZEN-OKINAWA KARATE-DO RENMEI. He held that position until 1985.
Uechi Kanei developed a ranking system which came to life at UECHI-RYU in 1958. *)
Uechi Kanei sensei died in 1991 at the age of 80. He was an extraordinary and highly respected teacher.
*) – The first examination for KYU-ranks was held by Takamiyagi Shigeru sensei, and for DAN-ranks the first exam was held by Minowa Katsushiko (the first Secretary General of the UECHI-RYU KARATE-DO Association).
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