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Pan Gai Noon Family

George Mattson
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Pan Gai Noon Family

To My Uechi-Ryu Family,

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.

Darin Yee

Lee Adams Promoted to 7th degree Black Belt

George Mattson
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Lee Adams Promoted to 7th degree Black Belt

Congratulation to Lee Adams on his August 5, 2018 promotion to 7th degree Black Belt.
IUKF President Darin Yee attended the promotional.

Thank You from IUKF President on New Rank!

Chelsey Schultz
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Thank You from IUKF President on New Rank!

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.

Darin Yee
President-IUKF
Judan-Hanshi

A Winterfest Experience

Chelsey Schultz
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A Winterfest Experience

A Sandan of Uechi-Ryu, Chelsey Schultz, attended Winterfest 2020 and shared her experiences on her blog. If you would like to read about her experience, click HERE!

IUKF MEMORANDUM

Chelsey Schultz
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IUKF MEMORANDUM

Clarification Regarding Promotion & Master Rank Testing

The IUKF is undergoing a revision of its procedures to serve its members better.  I’m sure there must be many questions going forward.  I hope the following information will address some of your concerns.  If you have any questions or suggestions, please do not hesitate to communicate with us.

Our organization is global, and our membership is extensive.  We understand the difficulties of trying to accommodate everyone 100% of the time.  Please understand the best that we can do is to make decisions that will serve the majority of our membership.  In order to maintain stability and consistency, we cannot offer conflicting agreements from one dojo to another.

Promotions

Promotion For Shodan To Godan

The IUKF determined many years ago to implement “dojo testing” for Sho-dan to Go-dans.  That is to say, that each member dojo shall test students for Shodan up to Godan and may promote at their discretion.  The IUKF holds the Sensei/Direct Teacher responsible for upholding general standards and competency of the Applicant and will not scrutinize promotions at that level. Our current Senior Advisory Board upholds this current practice.

Each member dojo will conduct their own testing and apply their own standards specific to their dojo.  Each member dojo is advised to assemble their own testing board.  All member dojos may request the presence of a master rank from the IUKF, and we will make all efforts to make that possible.

The IUKF recommends your dojo follow the minimum requirements listed in the Black Belt Test Guide (which you can purchase online in Sensei Mattson’s store, or as a member dojo, you can view our suggested guidelines on our website in the members’ section).

Promotion For Rokudan & Up

Master ranks (Roku-dan 6th degree and up) are asked to uphold a more exceptional standard.  The candidate must record all 8 katas; and a bunkai of at least 8 techniques/combinations of his/her choosing.

Your katas will demonstrate you are still actively training and retain all the knowledge which paved the path to where you are.  Your katas will be judged by 3 anonymous master rank members from around the globe (preferably with no personal ties or conflicts) who can judge you without prejudice or partiality.  

The master rank must also demonstrate their knowledge of the arts which he/she believes they have mastered.  We are not asking you to create a long, formal bunkai like Seisan Bunkai.  Bunkai simply explains the application of movements or our technique.

Candidates will be required to demonstrate the 8 Uechi-Ryu bunkai movements from our 8 katas and how he/she would use them in an actual application.  This way, we can all witness your mastery and understanding of your master rank request, as well as to share your ideas with the rest of the Uechi World.

We thank you for your loyalty and contributions to the IUKF. Together, we will grow and improve.

Sincerely,
Darin Yee
IUKF President 

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