Angi Uezu
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Angi Uezu
Angi Uezu was born January 3, 1935, in Chiyaranka City on the
island of Saipan. His father was 6th generation Okinawan of
Sumarai lineage from Shuri, his ancestors served under the
King of Okinawa in the city of Gushikawa. In the 1930’s work
on Okinawa was hard to find, so as a young man his father
traveled to Saipan to find work in the sugar cane fields and
start a better life. While in Saipan his father found his first
wife and the mother of Angi Uezu who was the third of four
brothers.
Angi’s first involvement with martial arts came in junior high
school where the schools curriculum included Gojo-ryu. He
didn’t like Karate because he was very much against fighting
of any sort. He thought why train in Karate and get beat-up
everyday learning to defend yourself when the likelihood of
getting in a fight was so remote.
In 1956, he met Yukiko Shimabuku, the third daughter of
Master Tatsuo Shimabuku, the well known karate master.
After a short courtship and Yukiko’s prodding to get married
Master Uezu went to the Kyan dojo to ask Master Shimabuku
for his daughter in marriage. Master Uezu tells the story of
his first meeting with the Master, "As I approached Master
Shimabuku’s house I could hear some very loud pounding. I
walked around the corner up to the fence gate and saw
Master Shimabuku punching the makiwara, he wasn’t smiling
and was very intense, I thought he was getting ready for me."
He said, "I stopped at the gate and saw the master hitting the
makiwara, I turned and ran, I was very scared, I thought he
was mad at me and was going to hurt me." Later his mother
took him over to Master Shimabuku’s and found out that the
Master was pleased to have me as his son-in-law and agreed to
the marriage. In 1957 after Master Uezu and Yukiko married he
moved into the Master’s house, but he didn’t start karate,
instead he was working many hours at one of the military
bases to make money for his new family. Master Uezu recalls
that Master Shimabuku was always after him to start
training. Master Uezu said he always told Master Shimabuku
he didn’t like karate and stayed busy working late hours at his
job so he’d have a excuse not to train.
It was around this time a good friend of his, Taba Seichi, who
was training, asked him to teach him the Bo kata, Tokomine no
kun. Master Uezu told his friend that he didn’t know the kata
because he wasn’t training with Master Shimabuku. His friend
Taba said him "you live with Master Shimabuku and don’t train
in karate? "Why don’t you train in karate? Master Shimabuku is
your father-in-law you must respect him. You have to help him
teach in the dojo".
That evening Master Uezu thought about what his friend had
said and realized he was right. Master Shimabuku had given him
his daughter, a house and helped him in many ways, it was his
duty to respect and help the Master. The next day Master Uezu
and Yukiko’s older sisters husband started training. Master
Uezu said he found that he really enjoyed karate and the
rigorous training and easily remembered all of the basic
exercises.
Due to his loyalty and dedication he soon became one of
Master Shimabuku’s top students. During the early sixties as
his skills improved he became one of the top competitors on
Okinawa winning many competitions and became highly
regarded as an outstanding martial artist on Okinawa. He was
an excellent counter fighter with an array of techniques
that he worked until he considered them perfect for all
types fighting.
Later, Master Shimabuku sent him to teach at many of his
outlying military dojos because of Master Uezu’s English
skills and teaching ability. Master Uezu taught many Marines
at Camps Hansen, Courtney and Foster. In 1967, as a Yon-Dan,
he took over as Master Shimabuku’s representative to go to
the United States and conduct training and seminars, a yearly
tradition he has kept for the past 30 years. The only time he
interrupted his schedule was after his stroke in April 1994.
After his recovery he resumed his seminar circuit and having
people come to Okinawa to train in 1996.
In May 1975, Master Shimabuku passed away at the age of 68
starting off a chain of events that almost destroyed Isshin-
Ryu on Okinawa. This along with other internal conflicts
began the downfall of the largest style of karate on
Okinawa at the time. Many of Isshin-Ryu’s top people went to
other styles because of internal disagreements and beliefs
leaving only seven senior students to include Master Uezu to
carry on. This would begin the hardest test of his loyalty
and dedication to his Master and Isshin-Ryu for the next 21
years.
He recalled a time after the Master’s death when he was
approached by three former friends and students of Isshin-
Ryu who came to his house to get him to switch to Shorin-Ryu.
The three begged him to join them, to which Master Uezu again
replied "I have a duty to Master Shimabuku and must remain
loyal to my family". Master Uezu realized he had many people
around the world that needed him to keep Isshin-Ryu alive. He
knew that he must teach good Isshin-Ryu and respect Master
Shimabuku because it was his duty. Master Uezu took to this
challenge by going to the states for extended periods to
teach and spread the word about Isshin-Ryu wherever and
whenever he was asked.
Master Uezu has said on many occasion, "I always look
straight ahead and ignore the comments that could distract
me from practicing good Isshin-Ryu". Through his efforts, he
gathered a large following of supporters, many skeptics and
critics who met him have found him to be a genuine, and honest
person who is always smiling and will talk to everyone no
matter of their rank or status.
Master Uezu follows his Master’s beliefs in that one must be
a gentleman or lady at all times and never worry about the
negative influences that can harm oneself. Through all of
this Master Uezu never struck out at his detractors, to do so
would have taken a way from everything he believed in. If
others didn’t like what he had to offer that was okay, he
respected them for their beliefs and willingness to follow
their chosen path. He truly believes that you must remain
focused and have a big heart to accept others for what they
believe.
Master Uezu says Karate is the tool that helps reach people
reach their goals by training them to be strong mentally and
physically. Isshin-Ryu means "The One Heart Way", as Master
Shimabuku truly believed karate should be used for bettering
oneself. In 1987, a disagreement between the remaining top
Okinawan leaders of Isshin-Ryu almost put the final nail in the
coffin on Okinawa. While the others went their own ways to
different styles, Master Uezu started the Okinawan Isshin-Ryu
Karate Kobudo Association (O.I.K.K.A.) to keep Isshin-Ryu alive
on Okinawa and support his many followers around the
world.
Master Uezu’s persistence and dedication to his master paid
the ultimate dividend by becoming the only Isshin-Ryu
association now recognized by the Prefectural government
and asked by it to perform at all major karate
demonstrations. The crowning achievement of his efforts to
promote Isshin-Ryu came when his association was asked to
perform at 1995 World Okinawan Karate Championships here
on Okinawa.
In 1996 Master Uezu finally retired and passed the torch on
to Sensei Tsuyoshi Uechi, who is now the leader of Isshin-Ryu
on Okinawa and the President of the O.I.K.K.A. after having
trained directly under Master Uezu for over 25 years. Even in
retirement Master Uezu is still constantly receiving letters
from people wanting to join the O.I.K.K.A. and has never denied
anyone admission to his association unless they were proven
to be less than respectable.
Today he resides quietly in Gushikawa City with his wife
Yukiko and his son. Even though he’s retired he isn’t far away
from the dojo. Master Uezu is a frequent visitor at Sensei
Uechi’s dojo to watch, however he with his enthusiasm and
drive still strong he usually ends up teaching the class.
Master Uezu says "My wife won’t let me teach at home and is
always telling me to rest. I am a karate man and this is my life I
can’t rest, I have a duty to Master Shimabuku to spread his art
of Isshin-Ryu".
Being the ultimate Bushido man he still practices karate
everyday in his dojo, (while his wife is taking a nap), he walks 5
miles, and tells anyone who will listen the benefits of
karate. This man will never rest, "One day I’ll die and there
will be plenty of time to rest, right now I’m too busy".
Angi Uezu was born January 3, 1935, in Chiyaranka City on the
island of Saipan. His father was 6th generation Okinawan of
Sumarai lineage from Shuri, his ancestors served under the
King of Okinawa in the city of Gushikawa. In the 1930’s work
on Okinawa was hard to find, so as a young man his father
traveled to Saipan to find work in the sugar cane fields and
start a better life. While in Saipan his father found his first
wife and the mother of Angi Uezu who was the third of four
brothers.
Angi’s first involvement with martial arts came in junior high
school where the schools curriculum included Gojo-ryu. He
didn’t like Karate because he was very much against fighting
of any sort. He thought why train in Karate and get beat-up
everyday learning to defend yourself when the likelihood of
getting in a fight was so remote.
In 1956, he met Yukiko Shimabuku, the third daughter of
Master Tatsuo Shimabuku, the well known karate master.
After a short courtship and Yukiko’s prodding to get married
Master Uezu went to the Kyan dojo to ask Master Shimabuku
for his daughter in marriage. Master Uezu tells the story of
his first meeting with the Master, "As I approached Master
Shimabuku’s house I could hear some very loud pounding. I
walked around the corner up to the fence gate and saw
Master Shimabuku punching the makiwara, he wasn’t smiling
and was very intense, I thought he was getting ready for me."
He said, "I stopped at the gate and saw the master hitting the
makiwara, I turned and ran, I was very scared, I thought he
was mad at me and was going to hurt me." Later his mother
took him over to Master Shimabuku’s and found out that the
Master was pleased to have me as his son-in-law and agreed to
the marriage. In 1957 after Master Uezu and Yukiko married he
moved into the Master’s house, but he didn’t start karate,
instead he was working many hours at one of the military
bases to make money for his new family. Master Uezu recalls
that Master Shimabuku was always after him to start
training. Master Uezu said he always told Master Shimabuku
he didn’t like karate and stayed busy working late hours at his
job so he’d have a excuse not to train.
It was around this time a good friend of his, Taba Seichi, who
was training, asked him to teach him the Bo kata, Tokomine no
kun. Master Uezu told his friend that he didn’t know the kata
because he wasn’t training with Master Shimabuku. His friend
Taba said him "you live with Master Shimabuku and don’t train
in karate? "Why don’t you train in karate? Master Shimabuku is
your father-in-law you must respect him. You have to help him
teach in the dojo".
That evening Master Uezu thought about what his friend had
said and realized he was right. Master Shimabuku had given him
his daughter, a house and helped him in many ways, it was his
duty to respect and help the Master. The next day Master Uezu
and Yukiko’s older sisters husband started training. Master
Uezu said he found that he really enjoyed karate and the
rigorous training and easily remembered all of the basic
exercises.
Due to his loyalty and dedication he soon became one of
Master Shimabuku’s top students. During the early sixties as
his skills improved he became one of the top competitors on
Okinawa winning many competitions and became highly
regarded as an outstanding martial artist on Okinawa. He was
an excellent counter fighter with an array of techniques
that he worked until he considered them perfect for all
types fighting.
Later, Master Shimabuku sent him to teach at many of his
outlying military dojos because of Master Uezu’s English
skills and teaching ability. Master Uezu taught many Marines
at Camps Hansen, Courtney and Foster. In 1967, as a Yon-Dan,
he took over as Master Shimabuku’s representative to go to
the United States and conduct training and seminars, a yearly
tradition he has kept for the past 30 years. The only time he
interrupted his schedule was after his stroke in April 1994.
After his recovery he resumed his seminar circuit and having
people come to Okinawa to train in 1996.
In May 1975, Master Shimabuku passed away at the age of 68
starting off a chain of events that almost destroyed Isshin-
Ryu on Okinawa. This along with other internal conflicts
began the downfall of the largest style of karate on
Okinawa at the time. Many of Isshin-Ryu’s top people went to
other styles because of internal disagreements and beliefs
leaving only seven senior students to include Master Uezu to
carry on. This would begin the hardest test of his loyalty
and dedication to his Master and Isshin-Ryu for the next 21
years.
He recalled a time after the Master’s death when he was
approached by three former friends and students of Isshin-
Ryu who came to his house to get him to switch to Shorin-Ryu.
The three begged him to join them, to which Master Uezu again
replied "I have a duty to Master Shimabuku and must remain
loyal to my family". Master Uezu realized he had many people
around the world that needed him to keep Isshin-Ryu alive. He
knew that he must teach good Isshin-Ryu and respect Master
Shimabuku because it was his duty. Master Uezu took to this
challenge by going to the states for extended periods to
teach and spread the word about Isshin-Ryu wherever and
whenever he was asked.
Master Uezu has said on many occasion, "I always look
straight ahead and ignore the comments that could distract
me from practicing good Isshin-Ryu". Through his efforts, he
gathered a large following of supporters, many skeptics and
critics who met him have found him to be a genuine, and honest
person who is always smiling and will talk to everyone no
matter of their rank or status.
Master Uezu follows his Master’s beliefs in that one must be
a gentleman or lady at all times and never worry about the
negative influences that can harm oneself. Through all of
this Master Uezu never struck out at his detractors, to do so
would have taken a way from everything he believed in. If
others didn’t like what he had to offer that was okay, he
respected them for their beliefs and willingness to follow
their chosen path. He truly believes that you must remain
focused and have a big heart to accept others for what they
believe.
Master Uezu says Karate is the tool that helps reach people
reach their goals by training them to be strong mentally and
physically. Isshin-Ryu means "The One Heart Way", as Master
Shimabuku truly believed karate should be used for bettering
oneself. In 1987, a disagreement between the remaining top
Okinawan leaders of Isshin-Ryu almost put the final nail in the
coffin on Okinawa. While the others went their own ways to
different styles, Master Uezu started the Okinawan Isshin-Ryu
Karate Kobudo Association (O.I.K.K.A.) to keep Isshin-Ryu alive
on Okinawa and support his many followers around the
world.
Master Uezu’s persistence and dedication to his master paid
the ultimate dividend by becoming the only Isshin-Ryu
association now recognized by the Prefectural government
and asked by it to perform at all major karate
demonstrations. The crowning achievement of his efforts to
promote Isshin-Ryu came when his association was asked to
perform at 1995 World Okinawan Karate Championships here
on Okinawa.
In 1996 Master Uezu finally retired and passed the torch on
to Sensei Tsuyoshi Uechi, who is now the leader of Isshin-Ryu
on Okinawa and the President of the O.I.K.K.A. after having
trained directly under Master Uezu for over 25 years. Even in
retirement Master Uezu is still constantly receiving letters
from people wanting to join the O.I.K.K.A. and has never denied
anyone admission to his association unless they were proven
to be less than respectable.
Today he resides quietly in Gushikawa City with his wife
Yukiko and his son. Even though he’s retired he isn’t far away
from the dojo. Master Uezu is a frequent visitor at Sensei
Uechi’s dojo to watch, however he with his enthusiasm and
drive still strong he usually ends up teaching the class.
Master Uezu says "My wife won’t let me teach at home and is
always telling me to rest. I am a karate man and this is my life I
can’t rest, I have a duty to Master Shimabuku to spread his art
of Isshin-Ryu".
Being the ultimate Bushido man he still practices karate
everyday in his dojo, (while his wife is taking a nap), he walks 5
miles, and tells anyone who will listen the benefits of
karate. This man will never rest, "One day I’ll die and there
will be plenty of time to rest, right now I’m too busy".
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