We are excited to announce that the IUKF will provide the Shihans (head instructors) of all IUKF-member dojos in good standing with an autographed copy of the Black Belt Test Guide by Sensei George Mattson as a gift from the organization.
We would like to note that while the IUKF will continue to use the Black Belt Test Guide, but there are some concepts that may require updating and further clarification. Among those issues include time in grade. Any updates on the IUKF website will supersede the published paperback Black Belt Test Guide.
The IUKF was excited to receive a message from Sensei Paul Kronschnabl, a Renshi Rokudan from Germany. We have shared his message below:
We are proud to share with the IUKF community that we have been back in my dojos, Regensburg and Pettendorf, for three weeks after the lockdown was released.
After a month without contact, it is not as smooth as it should be, and we certainly need more practice in sparring and grappling. Fortunately, everything is going well so far, and I am incredibly pleased that no one quit in the lockdown time.
The sensei of a Shorin Ryu Seibukan Karate Dojo asked for a workout with my students and me, so his students can learn something about Uechi-Ryu. I am so happy that we can work out together in a couple of weeks and learn from each other. I am personally excited to learn some block techniques and Karate-ka that I do not yet know.
We look forward to what the future will continue to bring to us and the Uechi-Ryu community!
I really appreciated your email to the rest of the Uechi Ryu community and me. Your comments represent what it takes to lead an organization such as IUKF.
Your words, comments, perspective, and thoughts represent for me what I have been thinking all through my martial arts training. First, my 50 years in Isshin ryu and my five years in Uechi ryu. For myself, I train both styles as pure to my original teachings as possible. I have, however, moved on to incorporate all things learned into my own personal style that is designed only for myself. My slight build is suitable to Ip Kai Man’s Wing Chung’s style. I have also undertaken to teach myself these forms to incorporate into my own personal style.
There are other thoughts. One major thought is that of: If I am a high-ranking individual, should this play any part in whether or not I could defeat a superior opponent? There will always be someone better than oneself. Our ranks and defeating an opponent, for myself, are of two different dimensions. I train for my higher rank, and I also train in my own personal style to fight a superior opponent. They, of course, both merge into what I call “Heaven and Earth.” This is my own personal style. A balance of the Tao and all things learned and given to us by heaven and earth. There are other thoughts, but the above thought surmises what your thoughts brought out from my inner thoughts.
Please continue in your writings to us as all things lead us to our own personal balance between Heaven and Earth.
Kind Regards, John Blacha Okinawan Academy of Martial Arts Waterford, Michigan Krakow, Poland”
The IUKF is proud to announce that Leonardo Ferreira Dos Santos of Sensei Luis Otavio Montiero’s dojo, Kanshukai, has been promoted to Shodan on 11/7/2021!
Congratulations to both Leonardo and Sensei Luis! We wish you all the best in furthering your training; the journey has just begun!
Winter Fest 2022: Participants from Europe to AlaskaMaster PromotionsRelaxing cigar time and wonderful conversation in Mt. Dora after some great seminars.
Here are a few fun photos from Winterfest 2022 (more to come!)
As a reminder, everyone is invited to join next year and every year going forward.
For more information about the next Winterfest, please inquire with Darin Yee.
P.s. Don’t need to smoke a cigar! Just join us for some great conversation before dinner with Sensei Mattson.
