Uechi Ryu originated in China” It’s first name was Pangainoon. Pangainoon means an admixture of strength and softness (half-hard, halfsoft). Pangainoon was taught in Fukin province in China at Southern ‘Shaolin Temple’. The Chinese master Shushiwa (1874-1926) used to teach this style. The style was based on the attack and defence methods of Tiger, Dragon and Crane.
Kanbun Uechi, who belongs to Okinawa studied Pangainoon under Shushiwa for 13 years (1897-1910). Master Kanbun uechi has the distinction of being the only foreigner who was permitted to teach Pangainoon in China. Kanbun Uechi was born in 1877 and died in 1948. It was his son Kanei Uechi who changed the name Pangainoon Ryu Karate to Uechi Ryu Karate in respect of his late father. The first students of Kanbun Uechi were his eldest son Kanei Uechi and friend Seiryu Shinjo. Seiryu Shinjo died in 1978 and Kanei Uechi in 1991. When he died Seiryu Shinjo was an 8th Dan Black Belt and Kanei Uechi had 1Oth Dan. Seiryu Shinjo had the highest rank in Uehi Ryu at the time of his death Seiryu Shinjo-sent his eldest son to his friend and Master Kanbun Uechi to study Pangainoon. Seiyu Shinjo studied Pangainoon for 9 years from 1939 to 1948,under Kanbun Uechi. He is recognized as a famous strongman of Uechi Ryu .He opened Kadena Dojo in 1960 and died in 1981.
The highest ranked living master Kiyohide Shinjo who was born in 1951. Kiyohide Shinjo was awarded the chmpionshipfor 9 consecutive years in Kata and Kumite in all Okinawa Karate Championship and in known by the name “Superman” Kiyohide Shinjo retired from competition after the death of his father because he had to look after the Kadena Dojo. All Okinawa Karate Federation honoured Seiyu Shinjo after his death by awarding him a 9th Dan.Kadena Dojo is now known as Okinawa Uechi Ryu Karate Do Kenyukai. This name was given to the style in memory of Seiyu Shinjo who died in 1981. Ken means fist, Yu is short for Seiyu and Kai means group. Kadena Dojo is famous all over the world as Seiyu Shinjo’s Iron fist group.
Kyoshi Narahira Shinjo, the youngest brother of Hanshi Kiyohide Shinjo was born in 1960.He is a famous Uechi Ryu stylist. Hanshi Kiyohide Shinjo,s son Shuichi Shinjo is also famous karate Practitioner.
It was in 1995 that sensei K.V.manoharan started associating with Okinawa Uechi Ryu Karate Do Kenyukai Association.Kyoshi Alan Dollar of U.S.A.is the world representative of Uechi Ryu Karate Do Kenyukai Associatin .Sensei K.V.Manoharan was attracted to this style and invited Kyoshi Alan Dollar to visit India. Kyoshi Alan Dollar who arrived on January 22,1997 inaugurated the Indian Head Quarters of Uechi Ryu Karate Do at Koodali in Kannur Dist of Kerala. Many foreigners are visiting this Dojo to study Uechi Ryu Karate Do.Here training is given in Karate and Kobudo,Kyoshi Alan Dollar who went back after training students for 10 days and conducting Black Belt and Kyu grading.wrote many articles on the high standard of Indian students in American Print media.
