13 Facts About Kanbun Uechi

Kanbun Uechi was the founder of Uechi-Ryu, one of the primary karate styles of Okinawa.

In 1897 at the age of 19, Kanbun Uechi fled to Fuzhou in Fukien Province, China both to escape Japanese military conscription and to fulfill his dreams of studying martial arts with Chinese masters.

Kanbun Uechi later told students he was the only survivor of his small "dugout" rowing boat trip to China, and he was rescued by a Chinese martial artist who eventually introduced him to another Chinese martial artist.

Kanbun Uechi initially took up the study of Kojo Ryu with another Okinawan named Matsuda Tokusaburo.

The offended Kanbun Uechi sought training elsewhere, but his resolve to learn Chinese martial arts was even stronger.

The Uechi Ryu Kihon claims that Kanbun Uechi never modified the teachings of Zhou Zihe and strictly passed on only what Zhou Zihe taught him.

Review of current Uechi-Ryu practice with several styles in Fuzhou linked to Zhou Zihe, which all developed on their own subsequently, led the Wushu Association to suggest that Kanbun made his own modifications to make what he would call "Pangai-noon".

Kanbun Uechi received a teaching licence from Zhou Zihe in 1904 and in 1906 he opened his own dojo in Nanjing.

Kanbun Uechi continued periodic training under Zhou Zihe during the next three years for a total of 13 years.

Kanbun Uechi returned to Naha, Okinawa in 1909, and he refused to teach martial arts while in Okinawa.

Kanbun Uechi soon married, and his first son, Kanei Uechi was born in 1911.

In 1934, Kanbun Uechi met Kenwa Mabuni, the founder of Shito-ryu, who interviewed Uechi in an article "The Story of Chinese Kenpo" he published in the 1934 edition of Karate Research.

Kanbun Uechi had another son, Kansai, and two daughters, Tsuru and Kamai.