UechiRyu

Uechi Ryu is a style of Okinawan karate founded in the early 20th century by Uechi Kanbun, a Japanese student of both Chinese martial arts and Okinawan kobudō. Born in 1892, Uechi studied hydraulic engineering and later martial arts during his time in China, where he trained under the Shaolin Monastery. He returned to Okinawa in 1925 and established Uechi Ryu after learning from Okinawan masters such as Higaonna Kanryō and Chōtoku Sōsaku. The style blends traditional Okinawan karate with Chinese internal martial arts, emphasizing close‑quarters techniques, fluid circular movements, and a strong focus on body alignment and breathing.

Uechi Ryu’s curriculum is structured around kihon (basics), kata (prearranged forms), and kumite (sparring). It includes a unique set of kata called the “Uechi Kata” which incorporate both kusarigama‑style joint locks and strikes, reflecting its Chinese influences. The style trains its practitioners in both hard and soft techniques, encouraging a harmonious balance between power generation and sensitivity. A key characteristic is the use of “soo-june,” a concept derived from Chinese internal principles that emphasizes intent and energy flow with each movement.

The style gained international recognition in the mid‑20th century when Uechi’s students, notably Hidden S. K. Tamaki and Gerald Dodge, travelled abroad and founded dojos in Japan, the United States, and Australia. The Uechi Ryu Association, formed in 1948, serves as the global governing body for the style, overseeing ranking, teaching standards, and the organization of seminars. Today, Uechi Ryu maintains a global presence with recognized branches in over twenty countries, continuing to promote its blend of traditional Okinawan combat techniques with internal Chinese philosophy.