Presently, the Uechi system consists of eight kata.  It is widely held that the number of katas and individual techniques is not nearly as important as the depth of one's understanding of the movements.  And, it is evident throughout this entire defensive system that the essence of true KarateDo is ever present, that is, "Karate Ni Sente Nashi" -- "there is no first attack."  In all of the Uechi katas, each technical response is a block intent on diffusion, absorption, and deflection.

     Of the eight kata, Sanchin is considered to be the "anchor" of the whole system.  Sanchin is concerned with efficient movement through correct posture and good body mechanics.  Through Sanchin, the practitioner is able to study the anatomical and mechanical bases for training and all

 hand and foot techniques.  It  provides the key to the understanding between all the other movements.  It is considered the "A.B.C.'s" of Uechiryu.  If there is ever a question as to whether a particular movement in a form is executed correctly, one only needs to return to Sanchin for the answer.  The mechanically efficient methods found in Sanchin is learned best by constant examination and doing.  It is realized over time that the constant analysis of motion in Sanchin is not an end in itself, but rather a means to the learning and understanding of new movements and the improvements of old ones.

       One of Kanbun Uechi's favorite expressions was "Sanchin alone warrants ten years of training ... you can become a master of karate knowing no other movements other than Sanchin.  No matter what advanced forms you may learn, without Sanchin you know nothing.  Whether you study three years or thirty years, you must do Sanchin three times daily."  It is known as a very hard exercise, so the student must practice with patience, striving to be strong, yet relaxed in movement.

       According to Master Kanei Uechi's book; "The Uechi Sanchin is pure.  It has no Japanese influences.  It comes directly from Chinese Kenpo.  Uechiryu has kept the Sanchin pure for over fifty years (65 years as of this writing).  Its importance cannot be stressed enough.  Sanchin is what makes Uechiryu original and pure.  It is what makes Uechiryu special."[109]

       The literal translation of Sanchin is "three conflicts."  The character of Sanchin is from the books of Shunja and Shiki.  It is thought that maybe there is a relationship like "Shin Gi Tai," a very important word in all Budo, Kobudo, and Sanchin.  "Shin Gi Tai" meaning "mind-technique-body" is importantly related in the martial perspective.  Through the "Shin" of Sanchin, the practitioner possesses and develops patience; through the "Gi" of Sanchin, the practitioner will develop a strong body for karate moves; and through the "Tai" of Sanchin, the practitioner will develop both defensive and offensive karate techniques.

 Note: others relate the 3 conflicts as being: 

       Sanchin is of the highest importance to new students.  It will help them to develop a hard body and strong mind so that they can practice all other techniques of karate.  The soft part of Uechiryu comes with the understanding that tension inhibits speed.  This concept is only kinesthetically developed over time and with consistent effort and thought.

       In addition to everything already mentioned, Sanchin training will also do the following:

      1.   Develop a strong, rooted, consolidated stance.

      2.   Develop a strong power and fast technique.

      3.   Develop a proper but natural breathing technique.

      4.   Develop a penetrating and ferocious eye.

      5.   Develop and foster a self-awareness -- both physical and non-physical.

 Remember: training in itself is of less importance than the one who trains.  Through proper Sanchin training a foundation for perfecting, repairing, and maintaining good condition of your body and technique can be established.

       The second kata is Kanshiwa.  It was originally named Kanshabu.  Created in 1956 by Master Kanei Uechi, it is a combination of his father's name, Kanbun, and Shushiwa.  Originally, the first three strikes were chokens but today are practiced with Seikens.

       The third kata, Kanshu, was also created in 1956 and was originally named Daini Seisan (second or little seisan).  Kanshu was created by Mr. Seiki Itokazu, a senior student of Master Kanei Uechi.  The kata's name was created by combining elements of Kanbun's and Shushiwa's names also.

       The fourth kata, Seichin, was created by Mr. Saburo Uehara and another student, Shinyu Gushi.  The name is a combination of Sanchin and Seisan.

       The fifth kata, Seisan, is the second of the three main katas brought back from China by Kanbun Uechi.  It was Kanbun's favorite.  Kanei relates; "Kanbun demonstrated it most often, performing it so fast that no-one could ever learn any of the movements by watching.  Even students who knew the form and should have been able to anticipate movements could not follow the techniques.  I believe that he used to add movements to the kata during the demonstration, such as a left front snap kick during the jump (coming back to the final horse stance position).  We students often tried to duplicate the kick to see if it were possible, but no-one has yet been able to do it effectively."  The movements were done so fast, no-one can say for sure.  If it was there, Kanbun only used it for demonstrations, for he never taught it to any of his students.

       On Okinawa, Seisan is never practiced in kata formation as the other kata's are.  It is always done individually for the teacher three times.  Slow, medium, and fast speeds.  Kanbun Uechi attached the swiftness of action by Seisan and is usually performed at maximum speed.

       The sixth kata, Seiryui, was created in 1950 by Kanei Uechi.  Literally, the name means "sixteen" and is a combination of the words Seisan and Sanseirui.

       The seventh kata, Kanchin, was created in 1960 by Master Kanei Uechi and the name is a combination of Kanbun and Sanchin.  Some say that Kanchin was Master Kanei Uechi's favorite of the "bridging five."

       The eighth, and final kata of the Uechiryu system is Sanseirui.  Of the three original Pan-gai-nun kata's, Sanseiryu is the most complex and difficult.  It is the only kata which covers eight directions of attack.  Kanbun Uechi attached the perfect destructive effect to Sanseiryu and, as such, the kata should be performed with maximum speed and strength.

       Master Kanei Uechi further developed the system by adding a stretching routine called Junbi Undo, a technique routine called Hojo Undo, Seisan Bunkai (created in 1948), Kanshiwa Bunkai (created in 1956), two Yakasuke Kumite's (prearranged sparring) called Kyu Kumite (created in 1973), and Dan Kumite (created in 1965).  Further, the Dan/Kyu ranking system was formally established by the Uechiryu KarateDo Association in June, 1958.  Since then, it has been enforced through strict examination regulations.

      In order, with the original Chinese katas and exercises in capital letters, and with Master Kanei Uechi's contributions, the Uechiryu system consists of the following:

       According to Kanei, his father "taught very slowly, very accurately.  Later he would let the student do the movements as fast as he wished."  Kanei would often teach the newer students so that his father would constantly correct his form.  He also watched his father teaching new students, and in this way became very proficient in the exact and correct way of performing the katas.[110]

      Also, according to Kanei, "the Pan-gai-nun style was supposedly created from the tiger, dragon, and crane systems of Chinese Kungfu.  Therefore, when studying the forms, one should keep in mind the animal movements from which they were developed.  The mythical dragon inspired breathing techniques that are almost spiritual in nature; light and floating like clouds or powerful as the winds of a hurricane.  The tiger is very powerful in the forms -- tensed strongly.  You should feel like a tiger that comes down from the mountains looking for food.  The crane is very soft in its movements and has perfect balance.  It uses its wings for blocking."

      The following is an overview of the special characteristics of Uechiryu KarateDo.

      The Stance:

      The Uechi systems stance is neither low nor forward, but rather a natural stance with the knees slightly bent so that they fall within the student's instep and big toe.  The weight distribution is 50-50 and it predominately utilizes a shoulder width, pigeon-toed "Sanchin" stance.  This pigeon-toed posture helps the student to twist and torque his extremities so that he is literally able to screw himself into a "root," deep below the surface on which he stands.  At first glance, it appears to be a rather stiff and robotic posture; lacking mobility.  However, on the contrary, with its 90 degree posture to the floor and shoulder width stance, a student is able to explode from the floor, favoring evasive and very mobile footwork for effective "in close" fighting.  The entire system relies on its "Sanchin root" for developing strength, grace, and balance in all other movements.

       The Breath:

      Unlike other karate systems, Uechiryu does not utilize the "Kiai" (strong shout).  Rather, the exhalation is short, sharp, quick, and follows after the practitioner has recoiled his block, kick, or strike.  According to Mr. Shigaru Takamiyagi, Uechi breathing first and foremost must be natural.  "It is absolutely not necessary for one to think about how to 'breath in' because the air comes in through one's nose automatically when you breath out.  One should never make any conscious hissing sound in trying to 'breath in.'  However, the outgoing breath must be controlled artificially and should go out of a narrow opened mouth between the upper and lower teeth right after any action."  As stated earlier, Uechi breathing is not an unaspirated hiss, but a clear, short, quick, and sharp aspirated hiss.  This hiss must come up from the focused stomach and diaphragm.  "Further, Uechi has two types of breathing methods.  One is interrupted, which are the short-explosive hisses and this is seen in all kata's.  The other is a constant breath which are longer and more sustained breaths.  These are only seen in Seichin, Seisan, Seiryu, Kanchin, and Sanseiryu."  It is emphasized that although the "breath out" must be artificially controlled, it should be done only in compliance with the students physical demands.  The Sanchin breath stresses constant, extreme, muscular focus.  This focus is maintained as a student trains in his katas as he is subjected to various blows directed to extremities and vital areas.  This proper breathing will serve to integrate the practitioners mind, body, and spirit.

       The Block:

       The Uechi system doesn't emphasize traditional linear blocks but rather focuses on the use of circular and deflective blocks.  The use of "hirlate mawashiuke" (flat hand, circle block) allows for the defense of everything.  The "bunkai" or applied form of this block will result in "osae tsuukami."  This is a special technique unique to Uechiryu, which when applied will result in an uke (block), osae (pressure or hold), and tsukami (catch or scoop).  This major circular block of Uechiryu, as stated prior, allows for the defense of everything.  It's importance is evident in the fact that this circle block proceeds almost every motion in all Uechi katas and training methods.

      The Sanchin elbow or "immovable" arm adds to the circular blocks effectiveness by keeping vulnerable areas of the body covered and by assisting in the "closing" of the rib cage.  It is also used very efficiently for defensive purposes at close range.  This "Sanchin elbow" is very conducive to short, quick hand strikes.

       The Strike:

       Because of the emphasis on the concept of the "one punch kill," Uechiryu is considered among martial arts experts as being one of the most effective and devastation disciplines.  All strikes are maximally delivered with a sharp point of the hand, foot, knee, or elbow.  A specialty of Uechiryu is the use of the big toe rather than the ball of the foot as seen in the majority of other karate systems.  The use of the second thumb knuckle in the execution of nukite is also a special characteristic.  This deadly power is acquired by using ones extremities (arms, legs, head) to twist and torque and grip into and below "the floor."  This focusing of all muscles at the moment of impact and the fact that the strikes are launched while sliding or stepping forward and while simultaneously pulling or grabbing is impressive evidence of Uechiryu's devastation effect.  Remember that the shoulder with heal-toe alignment and 50-50 weight distribution allows the Uechi practitioner to explode from the floor 90 degrees.

      In Uechiryu, everything is either 45 degrees or a combination of 45 degrees (like 90 degrees, 180 degrees, or 135 degrees as seen in Sanseiryu).  This not only applies to footwork but also to posture and hand technique.  Further, everything in Uechiryu has the element of "hajiki" or spring.  From the hands to the feet all contain "hajiki" or spring/recoil (snap).

       Shigaru Takamiyagi, a member of the Okinawan Uechiryu instructor group, said at the conclusion of a six week evaluation of the development of Uechiryu KarateDo in the New England area (given in Boston Mass on August 23, 1974):

As senior Uechi teachers and students;

      "You are completely responsible for teaching correctly to your advanced practitioners.  In order for you to fulfill your mission as teachers or advanced students you have to have your own training...I want to remind you of what the seniority is.  In the world of martial arts the sense of seniority must be respected and observed distinctively.  This is a typical kind of personal tradition which has been observed strictly for the last fifty years in the history of Uechiryu Karate.  Senior is senior, junior is junior.  The senior must be respected by the junior and at the same time the senior must be fully responsible for the guidance of his juniors in every sense.  The seniors have something they know better than their juniors.  Every junior should feel it happy to go to his senior for advice or consultation when he has some difficulty in his life."

       True Uechiryu KarateDo practitioners will understand and follow the way of an old Chinese proverb which appears on Ginchin Funakoshi's monument:

Karate Ni Sente Nash

"there is no first attack"

It is evident that many believe that first attack is good; especially for tournaments.  The true Uechi practitioner realizes that one must never think first attack because it ignores the true tradition and essence of Karate.  Remember: "UKE" (block) is the master technique of all Kobudo.

 The best defense is that:   You should guess the enemy's mind before... and...  You should attack before the enemy's offense.

        Today Uechiryu is one of the largest karate organizations on Okinawa and has also spread throughout the United States and the world.

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Copyright ©April 2002 Marguerite Hess www.womenskaratetour.org