Introduction to Uechi Ryu Karate
Uechi Ryu Karate is a hard style of martial art which was originated in the lands of China and was brought to Okinawa by Kanbun Uechi. This karate form has become popular throughout the world. Besides, in Okinawa and Japan, it is also famous in countries like The United States. Kanbun Uechi learnt the art of Pangai Noon Kung Fu in a province in China under Shusiwa. In the beginning of the early 1900 century, Uechi traveled back to Okinawa. There with the help of one of his co-worker Ryuyu Tomoyose he opened his own institute named Pangainun-Ryu. Later on he introduced several such institutes. The students who used to learn under Kanbun Uechi renamed this martial art form as Uechi Ryu. Uechi Ryu Karate basically combines the linear and circular style of attacks. It is based on the characteristics of three animals – the tiger, the dragon and the crane.
Uechi Ryu karate generally is a weaponless form of karate. However it sometimes implements the Okinawan Kobudo system of weapons which mostly includes weapons like rokushakubo, sai, tonfa, Kama and many others. This karate form utilizes various techniques which are inherited from the old Chinese Kempo. It also incorporates several styles from the art form called Goju Ryu kata. Basic moves include kicking, grappling and various strikes with the empty hands. The ranking system consists of belts with different colors. There are ten dan levels. They are Shodan, Nidan, Sandan, Yondan, Godan, Rokudan, Shichidan, hachidan, Kyudan and the last is the Judan. Before these black belts as in most of other martial art systems there are ten more belt colors for the beginners. The colors of these belts may be different in different training institutions. The change in color symbolizes the progress of a learner.