I wish everyone a wonderful thanksgiving day. I’ve often reflected on all the blessings I’ve encountered throughout my life and wish for everyone to enjoy the same.
That is not to say I don’t have sent backs or misfortune but on this day, every year, I always focus on my blessings.
One of my greatest blessings is the opportunity to train and study Pong Gai Noon now called Uechi Ryu.
Through this study, I’ve gained better health, a sharper mind, and a stronger body. Most appreciated is my commonality and association with so many wonderful people.
On this day, I thank the heavens for all my blessings. I wish everyone the same good fortune. Darin Yee
This includes everyone from every Uechi organization and from Ju-Kyu to Ju-dan. During this time of love, understanding and grace I want everyone to know that regardless of any possible differences, those of us who truly believe they are students of Uechi-Ryu/Pong Gai Noon have a lot more in common than anything that separates us.
As I have mentioned in several articles I’ve posted throughout the years, we are all connected in the tree of Uechi-Ryu. We are firmly rooted in our origins of Pong Gai Noon. We are sturdy and steadfast in our training and committed to our purpose.
As in all trees, the branches have their own separate paths and reach towards the sun in different directions. We all grow with time and mature in different ways. Some may develop thicker and some may reach further. Most of us will develop leaves. Some may flourish while others will only support a few. Hopefully our individual branches will grow and mature into their own direction and grow their own branches and carry their own leaves.
Please know that we are all family. We need not agree with everything or anything regarding how we train. Respect, understanding and kindness is the key to a successful, healthy future for Uechi-Ryu. Let’s make this our motto for 2022. What we must understand is we are very much like that tree. We may be growing in different directions yet we are all connected.
Blessings to all and wishing you and yours a very healthy and prosperous new year.
Candidate must be a member of an “IUKF dojo in good
standing”
Candidate must be recommended by dojo Shihan
Dojo Shihan must apply online and pay the $100
non-refundable application fee.
Please provide
NAME as it should be on the certificate.
RANK being promoted to
IUKF REGISTRY NUMBER (if you do not have one, one will be assigned)
DATE of the test
Applying 60 days prior to the test is recommended.
The test will be a dojo test according to the Shihan’s
discretion. May follow suggestions within the BBTG.
Certificates will be mailed to the dojo and will be awarded by the Shihan if the candidate passes. Should be torn if not.
Upon request, the presence of an IUKF master rank could be arranged.
All awards will be presented at the end of the testing or
at an IUKF sponsored event
IUKF Master
Rank Promotions: Ian Quitilen Chairman
Candidate must be a member of an “IUKF dojo in good
standing”
Candidate should be recommended by an IUKF uplink.
Must apply online and pay the $100 non-refundable application
fee.
Please provide:
NAME as it should be on the certificate.
RANK being promoted to
IUKF REGISTRY NUMBER (if you do not have one, one will be assigned)
DATE of the test will be listed when we receive all passing votes.
Providing a resume of the candidate would help to verify
the time in grade and total time in training.
Must provide a recording of all 8 katas to be judged by 3
anonymous master rank. The judges will
only provide negative comments (if any) and submit a yes or no vote.
One “NO” vote will constitute a need to retest no sooner than 6 months. All comments will be provided upon request. The second attempt will be sent to another 3 master ranks.
All awards will be presented at an IUKF sponsored event
Oversight Promotion
Committee: Al Wharton Chairman
Candidate must be a member of an “IUKF dojo in good
standing”
Candidate should be recommended by an IUKF uplink.
Must apply online and pay the $100 non-refundable application
fee.
Please provide:
NAME as it should be on the certificate.
RANK being promoted to
IUKF REGISTRY NUMBER (if you do not have one, one will be assigned)
DATE of the test will be listed when we receive all passing votes.
This committee was created for any and all IUKF members
who feels they have missed promotions due to substantiated, uncontrollable
situations. An example is the Shihan for
some reason is no longer present at this dojo but the dojo remained in existence and this candidate continued
training. Another example would be
moving away from your home dojo and opening your own dojo to continue working out
and teach. Simply stating you continued
to work out is not enough verification of you continuing to work out.
Injuries are not acceptable. If you are injured, you certainly have not
been working out.
To say you’ve continued to work out on your own is not
acceptable. There is no substantiation
of your claims.
Each claim is different and must go through the oversight
committee.
Must present all copies of past promotions.
Please be informed this committee gathers and verifies
all the information submitted. Decisions
to allow testing will be determined by our senior board members and candidate
must still pass required testing.
IUKF Title:
Bruce Witheral Chairman
Candidate must be a member of an “IUKF dojo in good
standing”
Candidate must apply online by an uplink and pay the non-refundable
application fee.
Please provide:
NAME as it should be on certificate.
TITLE to be awarded
IUKF REGISTRY NUMBER
Note: Uplink must submit a recommendation letter.
Uplink’s recommendation letter must be accompanied by 3 more verifying letters from people who actually know this candidate.
Please understand a rank does not automatically include a title. Unlike most organizations, the IUKF realizes a rank is what you’ve work and train to achieve.
A title is awarded by an organization to a person for the goodwill and advancement he/she has unselfishly contributed to the IUKF and our Uechi-Ryu community.
Please be informed this committee gathers and verifies
all the information submitted. Decisions
to award a title will be determined by our entire senior board members.
I have been receiving many congratulatory messages and well wishes from friends and associates worldwide, and I am thankful and humbled by their comments and acceptance. I realized long ago, you are only who others believe you to be. As we all know, there are always people who will preach their messages of discontent and hate for whatever reason. I am so happy that the hundreds heavily outweigh the few.
There are many Uechi-Ryu organizations I could have turned to for advancement. I am so proud to have been honored by the IUKF, being acknowledged and promoted by Sensei George Mattson, the pioneer of Uechi-Ryu in the Americas, north and south. I am not implying that Sensei Mattson is the only person in this country to have studied and trained in Okinawa, but Sensei Mattson was the very first to bring Uechi-Ryu to light, starting in the northeastern region of the United States of America. Evident in the congregation of Uechi-Ryu dojos in the New England States and Canada.
As I realize this promotion demonstrates the pinnacle of our ranking system, this does not mean there is nothing else to learn. Martial arts are so vast, and Uechi-Ryu is so complicated and diverse that there is enough room for advancement and improvements for two lifetimes. I promise I will continue to train, study and learn from all sources until I am unable. Martial Arts have been my passion since I was 7 years old. Throughout these many years, I have accumulated much knowledge. Some useful and some not so much.
However, as the president of the IUKF, I have committed to sharing all the information I have gathered. As senseis, we must realize that should be our desire. To be more direct, that should be our objective. I do not use the word “teach,” as this might indicate that my path is imminent. I will always say that I am “sharing,” which gives everyone the option to receive or politely pass.
This promotion does not place me above anyone. Anyone who feels their rank means superiority in any shape or form has been walking the wrong path. We are all brothers and sisters heading in the same direction. Due to the extra time I’ve started my journey puts me a few steps ahead. Nothing more and nothing less.
I look forward to the day when those whom I walk in front will be leading me with strength, honor, and respect.
