Bob Otto's School of Karate

Kanbun Uechi, born in 1877, grew up in the proud, traditional Okinawan family of bushi (Samurai or Shizoku) lineage.
Like many would-be martial arts students in the last days of the 19th century, Kanbun Uechi's first years of study were as much about patience as about martial arts! The first three years of Kanbun's training were devoted only to the kata Sanchin. During the first two years, training focused on strengthening the student's body through hard work as well as martial arts practice.

In the spring of 1904, the same year that war began between Japan and Russia, Kanbun Uechi received the Menkyo Kaiden certificate naming him a master of Chinese Pangainoon (half hard-half soft style). It was a monumental event in his twenty-seven years of life. He had vowed to himself to become proficient in the martial arts of China or never return to his homeland.

In January 1948, Kanbun Uechi became ill with nephritis that he fought for eleven months. Kanbun, 71 years old, died on Ie-jema Island on November 25, 1948. The Shinjo family were the only ones present when Kanbun died.

Kanbun Uechi has been described by many people who knew him as a kind, gentle, quiet man in day-to-day life but a fierce, intense, and strict instructor of Pangainoon ryu. His life was as unique and eventful as other forefathers of karate, as was his influence.


KANEI UECHI
In 1927, at sixteen years old, Kanei traveled to Wakayama and joined his father (Kanbun Uechi's.) Kanei joined the Shataku dojo and began chuan fa training under his father.

Uechi ryu karate and the Futenma dojo were open to the public, including American servicemen in 1958.