Shushiwa

Kambun Uechi

Kanei Uechi

His first student in Wakayama was Ryuyu Tomoyose, who initially tried to trick Master Uechi into teaching him by making up stories of fights he had gotten into and asking him how to defend himself in these situations.  Master Uechi continued teaching in Wakayama until 1946 when he returned to Okinawa (Ie Jima - an island near Okinawa).  He did not teach formally after his return to Okinawa, but continued to train a few students.  Two years later (1948), at the age of 71, Master Uechi died on Ie Jima.  The traditions of Uechiryu were carried on by Kambun Uechi's eldest son, Kanei Uechi.  Kanei was born on June 26, 1911.  He began his karate training under his father in 1928 at the age of 17.  After about ten years Kanei began teaching in Osaka, Japan not far from Wakayama where his father taught.  In 1942, at the age of 30, Kanei Uechi returned to Okinawa where he took up farming near Nago.

At the time of Kambun Uechi's death, Kanei was not actively teaching.  However, Ryuko Tomoyose, a son of Ryuyu Tomoyose--Kambun's forst student in Wakayama--convinced him to start teaching.  Ryuko Tomoyose and other students built a dojo on Futenma, Okinawa for Master Kanei Uechi.  He continued teaching at that same location until his retirement in 1988.  After a bout with a lingering illness, Master Kanei Uechi died at the age of 80 in March of 1991.

Another early student of Kambun Uechi was Seiryu Shinjo.  Seiryo Shinjo was born on Ie Jima, an island close to Okinawa on June 10, 1908.  In 1923, he traveled to Wakayama, Japan (near Osaka) to seek employment where he coincidentally got a job at the same factory as Kambun Uechi.  He trained with Uechi Sensei until a respiratory ailment prevented it.  Seiryo Shinjo had a son on July 10, 1929 who he named Seiyu.  Seiyu Shinjo was taught by his father and Kambun Uechi, and later trained with Kanei Uechi.  Seiyu Shinjo eventually became well known in Okinawa as an outstanding karate man, as well as a great teacher of Uechiryu.  On November 3, 1951, Seiyu Shinjo's first son was born Kiyohide Shinjo.  Seiyu Shinjo began training his son kiyohide when he reached the age of 10.  Kiyohide was required to learn Uechiryu and did so reluctantly at first.  He continued training under his father's watchful eyes, eventually becoming one of the best (if not the best) martial artist on Okinawa, perhaps the world.  Starting in 1970, he became the unprecedented, nine time, undefeated kumite and kata champion.  Shinjo Kiyohide Sensei took over as the chief instructor of the family dojo after the death of his father Seiyu in 1981.  Shinjo Sensei continues the family tradition to this day.