Welcome to the only Uechi-Ryu Karate dojo in the State of Alaska!
Sitka Uechi-ryu is an affiliate dojo of the International Uechi-Ryu Karate Federation (IUKF).
Some of our Uechi-Ryu Curriculum:
Junbi Undo: Warm Ups & Stretching
Hojo Undo: Basic Strikes, Blocks, & Kicks
Kata - Pre-arranged & Choreographed Movements:
Sanchin, Kanshiwa, Kanshu, Seichin, Seisan, Seiryu, Kanchin and Sanseiryu.
Bunkai - Analysis of the applications found within the Kata against an attacking partner.
Kote Kitai, Ashi Kitae: Arm and Leg Conditioning
Kyu & Dan Kumite - Pre-arranged Sparring
Jiyu Kumite - Free Sparring
Anyone interested in joining our dojo should send an introductory email to dulin3471@yahoo.com explaining why you want to learn Uechi-Ryu Karate and telling me a bit about yourself.
Uechi-Ryū Karate-do is a highly effective system of self defense, a proven method of attaining peak physical conditioning, and a fighting art form which can enhance and enrich one's Way of Life.
Linking the past when Karate was strictly an Okinawan martial art shrouded in secrecy with the modern day search for individual security and well being, Uechi -Ryū Karate-do literally translates as "Uechi's Method and Way of the Empty Hand".
Originally called Pangai-noon ("half-hard, half-soft"), the style was renamed Uechi-Ryū after the founder of the style, Kanbun Uechi, an Okinawan who went to Fuzhou in Fujian Province, China to study martial arts and Chinese medicine when he was 19 years old in 1897. While there, he studied under a teacher and Chinese medicine hawker known in Japanese as Shū Shiwa (Chinese: Zhou Zihe 周子和 1874-1926) for about 10 years
Uechi-Ryū is based on Tiger, Crane, and Dragon Kung Fu styles.
Linking the past when Karate was strictly an Okinawan martial art shrouded in secrecy with the modern day search for individual security and well being, Uechi -Ryū Karate-do literally translates as "Uechi's Method and Way of the Empty Hand".
Originally called Pangai-noon ("half-hard, half-soft"), the style was renamed Uechi-Ryū after the founder of the style, Kanbun Uechi, an Okinawan who went to Fuzhou in Fujian Province, China to study martial arts and Chinese medicine when he was 19 years old in 1897. While there, he studied under a teacher and Chinese medicine hawker known in Japanese as Shū Shiwa (Chinese: Zhou Zihe 周子和 1874-1926) for about 10 years
Uechi-Ryū is based on Tiger, Crane, and Dragon Kung Fu styles.
Sitka Alaska Uechi-Ryū Karate Club
Traditional Okinawan/Chinese Fighting Art of Self Defense
Traditional Okinawan/Chinese Fighting Art of Self Defense
"We are what we repeatedly do. Excellence then, is not an act, but a habit." ~ Aristotle.
"Don’t hit at all if it is honorably possible to avoid hitting; but never hit softly." ~ Theodore Roosevelt
"Seek not to follow in the footsteps of men of old; seek what they sought." ~ Matsuo Basho
"Don’t hit at all if it is honorably possible to avoid hitting; but never hit softly." ~ Theodore Roosevelt
"Seek not to follow in the footsteps of men of old; seek what they sought." ~ Matsuo Basho
"Should you desire the great tranquility, prepare to sweat." ~ Hakuin
“To win one hundred victories in one hundred battles is not the highest skill. To subdue the enemy without fighting is the highest skill.” ~ Sun Tsu
“He Who Knows Others Is Wise. He Who Knows Himself Is Enlightened.” ~ Tao Te Ching
“To win one hundred victories in one hundred battles is not the highest skill. To subdue the enemy without fighting is the highest skill.” ~ Sun Tsu
“He Who Knows Others Is Wise. He Who Knows Himself Is Enlightened.” ~ Tao Te Ching
Kanbun Uechi
Shushiwa
Kanei Uechi
Bodhidharma
We are deeply indebted to Master Darin Yee for mentoring us and sharing his knowlege of Uechi Ryu Karate Do via his seminars and via Video Conferencing.
Darin is a 9th degree black belt. He is also the President of the International Uechi-Ryu Karate Federation (IUKF). In addition to Uechi-Ryu Karate, Mr. Yee is also adept in Hung Gar and various other styles of Kung Fu. Darin is a lifelong student of Grand Master George Mattson, the pioneer of Uechi-Ryu Karate in the USA.
Darin is a 9th degree black belt. He is also the President of the International Uechi-Ryu Karate Federation (IUKF). In addition to Uechi-Ryu Karate, Mr. Yee is also adept in Hung Gar and various other styles of Kung Fu. Darin is a lifelong student of Grand Master George Mattson, the pioneer of Uechi-Ryu Karate in the USA.
Disclaimer and Legal Notices
DISCLAIMER
All material contained on this web site is provided for informational purposes only.... Before undertaking the study of any martial art, you should consult with your physician. You should be aware if you engage in a martial arts course you are doing so entirely at your own risk (as described in the Doctrine Of Assumed Risk And Liability), including any present and/or future physical or psychological pain or injury that you may incur. The Honolulu Uechi-Ryu Karate-do Club. (hereafter called HURKC) its officers, partners, affiliates and any authors of this website cannot assume any responsibility or liability for any injuries or losses that you may incur as a result of acting upon any information provided by this website, or any links to other sites found herein. Nor can HURKC , its officers, and the author of this website assume any third party liability arising out of any legal actions you may be involved in as a result of the training you received by engaging in a study of any martial art as presented by this website or any other source cited herein either directly, or through the use of hyperlinks. Although there may be a number of instructors, dojo, other organizations, seminars and other activities listed in this website, the HURKC, its officers and the author of this website cannot be responsible for their claims, instructional strategies, materials, facilities, or consequences that may arise by studying any martial art under their supervision and can make no recommendations or inferences as to the quality or effectiveness of their instructional programs
DISCLAIMER
All material contained on this web site is provided for informational purposes only.... Before undertaking the study of any martial art, you should consult with your physician. You should be aware if you engage in a martial arts course you are doing so entirely at your own risk (as described in the Doctrine Of Assumed Risk And Liability), including any present and/or future physical or psychological pain or injury that you may incur. The Honolulu Uechi-Ryu Karate-do Club. (hereafter called HURKC) its officers, partners, affiliates and any authors of this website cannot assume any responsibility or liability for any injuries or losses that you may incur as a result of acting upon any information provided by this website, or any links to other sites found herein. Nor can HURKC , its officers, and the author of this website assume any third party liability arising out of any legal actions you may be involved in as a result of the training you received by engaging in a study of any martial art as presented by this website or any other source cited herein either directly, or through the use of hyperlinks. Although there may be a number of instructors, dojo, other organizations, seminars and other activities listed in this website, the HURKC, its officers and the author of this website cannot be responsible for their claims, instructional strategies, materials, facilities, or consequences that may arise by studying any martial art under their supervision and can make no recommendations or inferences as to the quality or effectiveness of their instructional programs
Uechi-ryu is a traditional style of Okinawan karate. Uechi-ryū means "Style of Uechi" or "School of Uechi". Originally called Pangai-noon, which translates to English as "half-hard, half-soft", the style was renamed Uechi-ryū after the founder of the style, Kanbun Uechi.
Uechi-Ryū emphasizes toughness of body with quick blows and kicks. Some of the more distinctive weapons of Uechi practitioners are the one-knuckle punch (shoken), spearhand (nukite), and the toe kick (sokusen geri). On account of this emphasis on simplicity, stability, and a combination of linear and circular movements, the style is highly practical for self-defense.
Uechi-Ryū emphasizes toughness of body with quick blows and kicks. Some of the more distinctive weapons of Uechi practitioners are the one-knuckle punch (shoken), spearhand (nukite), and the toe kick (sokusen geri). On account of this emphasis on simplicity, stability, and a combination of linear and circular movements, the style is highly practical for self-defense.
Ryuko Tomoyose
George Mattson
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Sitka Uechi-ryu Karate Club is an affiliate dojo of the Honolulu Uechi-ryu Karatedo Club with ties to the
International Uechi-ryu Karate Federation .
As such, we adhere to all performance and testing standards set forth within the Black Belt Test Guide. Please click the logos to the right and left for more information about the IUKF.
International Uechi-ryu Karate Federation .
As such, we adhere to all performance and testing standards set forth within the Black Belt Test Guide. Please click the logos to the right and left for more information about the IUKF.
Honoring Our Lineage:
Uechi-Ryu is also know as "Pangai-Noon"
a style of Tiger, Dragon and Crane Kung Fu which means
"Half Hard/ Half Soft
a style of Tiger, Dragon and Crane Kung Fu which means
"Half Hard/ Half Soft
About the Instructor
Sensei Duane Swanson has an impressive background in the martial arts going back 1972 to 1974 as assistant high school wrestling coach in Park Fall, Wisconson. Duane started training in Pshi Kai Do karate under style founder, Grand Master William Van Auken from 1977-1979. He has also studied Tai Chi Chuan.
After moving to Sitka, Alaska in December, 1979 Sensei Duane began training in Uechi-Ryu karate in January 1980 under Pat Wilson. Wilson Sensei learned Uechi-ryu from Master Kanei Uechi while on deployment for the US military in Okinawa in the 1960s.
After moving to Sitka, Alaska in December, 1979 Sensei Duane began training in Uechi-Ryu karate in January 1980 under Pat Wilson. Wilson Sensei learned Uechi-ryu from Master Kanei Uechi while on deployment for the US military in Okinawa in the 1960s.
Mr. Swanson earned the rank of Shodan in 1984 and taught Uechi-ryu in Sitka for many years alongside Pat Wilson, his brother Lloyd Swanson, and with Robert Holt.
After a break from training, Duane became reinvigorated after visiting the Honolulu Uechi-Ryu Karate-do Club in 2018. Duane trained diligently with Albert Cloutier Sensei during his visits to Honolulu, and via multiple weekly virtual training sessions with Darin Yee Sensei.
On October 18, 2020 Duane tested before a highly esteemed test Board comprised of Grandmaster George Mattson, Grandmaster Henry Thom, IUKF President Darin Yee, Sensei Paul Swift, Sensei Justin Testa, and Paul Giella Sensei.
After a rigorous test administered via teleconference due to COVID 19 restrictions on travel, Duane was promoted to the rank of Nidan under the IUKF.
On October 18, 2020 Duane tested before a highly esteemed test Board comprised of Grandmaster George Mattson, Grandmaster Henry Thom, IUKF President Darin Yee, Sensei Paul Swift, Sensei Justin Testa, and Paul Giella Sensei.
After a rigorous test administered via teleconference due to COVID 19 restrictions on travel, Duane was promoted to the rank of Nidan under the IUKF.
Duane Sensei is continually enhancing his knowledge and skill in Uechi-ryu, constantly climbing the mountain of Budo, and has recently begin learning the Hung-Gar Tiger Crane form in an effort to better grasp the foundations of Uechi-Ryu.
