Thursday, July 7, 2011

Isshin Ryu Master Angi Uezu



I found this great picture of an Isshin Ryu master.
The guy looks tough as nails, I wouldn't want to fight him. After searching around a bit, I found it is Angi Uezo. Here are a few details from this biography:

"Angi Uezu was born January 3, 1935, in Chiyaranka City on the island of Saipan. His first involvement with martial arts came in junior high school where the schools curriculum included Gojuryu. 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 into 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 daughters hand 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 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."


The story continues to say that he avoided practicing Karate for years, even though married to the master's daughter. On advice of a friend, he relented and took up the art. He soon was teaching at nearby military bases:

"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 of fighting."

There's a lot to be respected about these austere, traditional forms of Karate.

11 comments:

BSM said...

Jesus. Look at the calluses on his knuckles!

Charles James said...

Although the intent/context of Tatsuo Sensei was to combine soft-n-hard, i.e. why Goju Ryu was the father and Shorin Ryu the mother, Isshinryu the offspring Uezu Sensei practiced and taught Isshinryu as a very hard system.

I have his original VCR tapes done with Jennings Sensei under Panther Productions. When you observe his demo's it is very hard indeed.

He loved the Makiwara as you can see by the hands.

The stories like the one you post tend to be a bit extravagant and slightly inaccurate yet no one can prove one way or the other. They make for good stories anyway.

Nice post DR!

John Vesia said...

Uezu Sensei had a severe stroke some years back but he's rebounded since. He's reportedly doing flying side kicks into a heavy bag once again! Amazing intestinal fortitude. Tough as nails indeed.

Erik the Strange said...

Rat - I just emailed you at

dojorat@gmail.com

So check that address please.

Dojo Rat said...

Thanks Strange; don't know if I can make that seminar, I'm holed up on the island for a while.

judobill said...

If no one can prove them one way or another, how do you call them slightly inaccurate ?

judobill said...

If no one can prove them one way or another, how do you call them slightly inaccurate ?

judobill said...

If no one can prove them one way or another, how do you call them slightly inaccurate ?

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