Uechi-ryū (上地流), meaning “Uechi’s Style” or “Uechi’s School,” is a prominent traditional Okinawan karate style. It is recognised as one of the three officially recognised umbrella karate styles in Okinawa, alongside Shorin-ryū and Gōjū-ryū. It is also one of the four major styles of Okinawan karate.
The style was founded by Kanbun Uechi (上地完文), who was born on 5 May 1877, in the Deikusaku section of Motobu, Okinawa. His family were farmers of daikon radishes. Although some claims suggest he studied bōjutsu and basic Chinese techniques with Motobu experts in his youth, there is no record of him learning any martial art before moving to China.
In 1897, at the age of 20, Kanbun Uechi travelled to Fuzhou in China’s Fujian Province. There, he studied Chinese martial arts under Zhou Zihe (周子和). Zhou Zihe was a master of the Crane, Dragon, and Tiger boxing styles. Uechi dedicated himself to understanding these Chinese forms, spending over a decade in China to gain a deeper understanding and practical approach to fighting.
Founding and Early Development
Kanbun Uechi‘s original style was named Pangainun Ryu (半硬軟流), meaning “half-hard-soft style”. He introduced this style to Okinawa and Japan in the early 1920s. In the early 1920s, he opened a karate club in the Wakayama Prefecture of mainland Japan, where his style was practised.
In 1934, Kanbun Uechi met Kenwa Mabuni, the founder of Shitō-ryū, who interviewed Uechi for an article titled “The Story of Chinese Kempō”. Mabuni suggested that Kanbun change the name of his style to “Uechi-Ryū” (上地流). The style was officially renamed Uechi-Ryū in 1940 in his honour. This renaming occurred during a period (the Chinese-Japanese war) when references to Chinese influences were not welcome in Japanese martial arts. Kanbun Uechi continued teaching in Wakayama until 1946. In November 1946, he handed over his school to Ryuyu Tomoyose and returned to Okinawa, settling on the island of Iejima. He passed away in 1948 from kidney disease.
After Kanbun Uechi’s death, his eldest son, Kanei Uechi (上地完英), was instrumental in formalising and expanding Uechi-Ryū. Kanei Uechi (born 26 June 1911 in Okinawa, died 23 February 1991) assumed leadership of the style. He had begun training with his father in Wakayama at the age of 16, receiving a certificate of full proficiency in Pangainun Toudi Jutsu in 1937. He opened his own dōjō in Osaka in 1937 but returned to Okinawa in 1942. In 1949, with Ryuko Tomoyose, Kanei Uechi established the Nodake and Kanzatobaru dōjōs, which merged into the Futenma dōjō in 1957.
Kanei Uechi effectively created Uechi-Ryū in its present form by establishing a systematic curriculum and adding five “bridging” kata to the original three taught by his father. These added kata are considered unique to Uechi-Ryū and are derived from or inspired by the style’s foundational kata. Kanei Uechi was president of the Uechi-Ryū Karate-dō Association, a worldwide organisation.
Influences and Distinguishing Characteristics
Uechi-Ryū is heavily influenced by the Chinese martial arts, specifically the Crane, Dragon, and Tiger boxing styles, which Kanbun Uechi studied in Fuzhou, China. It is often classified as a Naha-te school, but this classification is not entirely accurate, as Uechi reportedly had little to no direct contact with Naha or Naha-te masters. Kanbun Uechi was resolved not to add to or change the system he learned from Zhou Zihe, adhering to the original patterns of Chinese kempō.
The style is known for its distinctive approach:
- Open-hand techniques: Uechi-Ryū commonly uses many techniques with an open hand.
- Stances: It features unique stances such as Uechi-Hachiji-Dachi (inward natural stance).
- Body conditioning: Uechi-Ryū training is physically demanding, focusing on conditioning the body, particularly the limbs, for impact.
- Avoidance of high kicks: Historically, Uechi-ryū, similar to Naha-te, primarily uses foot techniques up to belt height, considering high kicks unsuitable for real combat.
Growth and Worldwide Spread
Kanbun Uechi’s style began spreading in Japan in the Wakayama Prefecture. After his death, Kanei Uechi continued his father’s work, opening Uechi-Ryū to the public, including American G.I.’s, making it one of the first styles to teach karate to foreigners. This contributed significantly to its global expansion. Uechi-Ryū organisations and schools now exist worldwide, including in the USA, Australia, New Zealand, Great Britain, Yugoslavia, France, Argentina, and Mexico.
Uechi-Ryū has achieved significant recognition. It was the first karate style to be recognised as Koryu Bujutsu (classical martial art) by the Nippon Kobudo Kyokai (NKK).
Katas Associated with Uechi-Ryū
The kata of Uechi-Ryū trace back to Kanbun Uechi’s training in China and the subsequent developments by his son, Kanei Uechi.
Original Kata (from Kanbun Uechi): Kanbun Uechi’s original Pangainun/Uechi-Ryū had only three kata, which he learned from Zhou Zihe in China and brought back to Okinawa. These are:
- Sanchin
- Seisan
- Sanseiryu
It is said that there was a fourth kata, Suparinpe, but Kanbun did not have enough time to learn it fully.
Kanei Uechi added five “bridging” kata, which are unique to Uechi-Ryū and were derived from or inspired by the foundational kata. The commonly taught kata in the Uechi-Ryū curriculum, combining the original and added forms, include:
- Sanchin (Original)
- Kanshū (also spelled Konshu)
- Seichin
- Seisan (Original)
- Seiryu (also spelled Seiru)
- Kanchin
- Sanseiryu (Original)
Therefore, a full list of kata generally associated with Uechi-Ryū includes: Sanchin, Kanshū, Seichin, Seisan, Seiryu, Kanchin, and Sanseiryu. Some sources mention others, depending on the instructor.
Unique Kata to Uechi-Ryū: The kata added by Kanei Uechi are considered unique to Uechi-Ryū. These include Kanshū and Kanchin.
Kata Similar to, and Different from, Other Styles:
- Sanchin, Seisan, and Sanseiryu: These kata are also found in other styles, notably Gōjū-Ryū, indicating a “genealogical” relationship. However, the Uechi-Ryū versions “look very different” from their Gōjū-Ryū namesakes.
- Seisan (Uechi-Ryū): It looks very little like the Gōjū-ryū kata of the same name. It has obvious foundations in Sanchin, relying primarily on the Sanchin stance (sanchin dachi). It introduces basic techniques such as knee strikes, the one-knuckle punch (shōken zuki), spearhand (nukite), and the front kick (shōmen geri). It is the second of the three kata learned and taught by Kanbun Uechi and is the fifth kata learned in modern Uechi-Ryū, often tested for shodan (first black belt).
- Kanchin: Kanei Uechi intended this kata to be an introduction to Sanseiryu.
- Seiryu: This is described as another “dragon” kata.
Branches and Official Organisations
The primary official organisation for the style is the Uechi-Ryū Karate-dō Association, which Kanei Uechi presided over. Uechi-Ryū, initially named Pangainun Ryu (or Pangai-noon), was officially recognised and renamed in 1940. It is one of the four major styles of Okinawan Karate and the first karate style recognised as Koryu Bujutsu by the Nippon Kobudo Kyokai (NKK).
The sources mention that Uechi Kanei believes that sport competition helped to popularise karate. However, there is also a note about how Chogi Kishaba, who teaches a version of Yamane Ryu (a different style), is “pretty disgusted with ‘what some Western teachers are doing with the style'” and that his student Toshihiro Oshiro “has promulgated a popular version of Yamane Ryu that has been modified for tournament competition”. While this describes a different style, it highlights a broader martial arts concern about competition potentially altering traditional forms.
Legacy
The legacy of Uechi-Ryū is firmly rooted in its direct transmission from Chinese martial arts to Okinawa and its subsequent development into a distinct system. Kanbun Uechi’s dedication to learning and preserving a pure form of Chinese boxing, and Kanei Uechi’s efforts to formalise and spread the style globally, have ensured its enduring presence. Uechi-Ryū stands as a unique synthesis of hard and soft techniques, with an emphasis on natural body movement, strong conditioning, and open-hand striking. Its historical recognition as a Koryu Bujutsu in Japan underscores its authenticity and traditional value, making it a significant contributor to the rich tapestry of Okinawan and Japanese martial arts.
Karate Kata Step By Step 