2018/05/04

  Uechi Kanbun (1877 – 1948) is the founder of one of the three major styles of Okinawa karate, Uechi-ryū. On April 21st, the unveiling ceremony of his statue was held in Mount Yaedake “Sakura no Mori Park”, close from where Uechi Kanbun was born. More than 500 people participated. Here are some photographs introducing this historical day.

Starting of the ceremony

 

Start of the Shintō ritual of the unveiling ceremony

 

The senior priest of Okinogu, Uechi Ichirō heads the ritual.

 

From the right, Uechi Sadanao, 4th Sōke of Uechi-ryū, his brother Kanji and his uncle Kansei

 

The priest Uechi Ichirō is also a high ranking Shōrin-ryū karateka

 

People attending the ritual. On the front line far right is Hokama Tetsuhiro who was commissioned to calligraphy the story of Uechi Kanbun on the monument.

 

End of the ritual

Commemorative tree-planting. Chosen were Shīkwāsā citrus trees for which Motobu Town is famous for.

 

The 4th Sōke of Uechi-ryū, Uechi Sadanao

 

Lion dance of Sesoko

 

Speech by Tōyama Kiyohiro, head of the Motobu Town Tourism association

 

Speech by Uechi Sadanao
Speech by the mayor of Motobu town, Takara Fumio

Speech by Okinawa Dentō karatedō Shinkōkai Rijichō, Kiyūna Chōkō

 

From the left, relatives handing the photographs of 2nd and 3rd Sōke of the style, respectively Kanei and Kanmei.

3rd and 4th persons are Kanyū and Kanji, younger brothers of Uechi Sadanao.

 

From the left, the 2nd son of Uehara Saburō, Uehara Isamu, Kamiunten Seikō, and Uehara Saburō’s first son, Uehara Takenobu, cultural asset holder for Okinawa karate.

The unveiling of the statue

 

Commemorative photograph

 

The statue of Uechi Kanbun

 

Dedicatory demonstration in front of the bronze statue. The performed kata is Sanchin.

 

Uechi Kanji (44)

 

Uechi Kansei (66), uncle of Uechi Sadanao

 

Uechi Kanyū (37)

 

The bronze (180 cm) is about 5 meters including the pedestal

 

Closing remark by Takae Yasushi

 

Shimabukuro Haruyoshi leading the demonstration

 

Demonstration of the kata Kanshiwa

 

Karate starts and ends with a bow

 

The members of the statue construction committee

 

The Uechi family

 

All participants

 

The plate attached to the monument – Calligraphy by Hokama Tetsuhiro.

 

The English translation, translated by Miguel Da Luz.