Thought for the Week (February 19th, 2001)
Sensei Judy Barnhart
Denshi/Shihan- Okinawan Karate Dojo, Merritt Island, Florida
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Grand Master Ansei Ueshiro
Grand Master Ansei Ueshiro is going to be 68
this year. He was born in Kin, Okinawa in 1933 on April 20th.
Hanshi began his training at the age of 9.
His father and his uncles were karate masters. The attached picture is of Hanshi wearing a black kimono and carrying a fan. He wears the black kimono to symbolize royalty. He is a blood
descendant of karate masters, part of the Okinawan royalty class. He is like
a thorough bred horse when it comes to karate.
At the age of 13 Hanshi was badly burned and injured during the battle of Okinawa. The doctors thought his physical disability was hopeless. He focused his efforts into karate. He is to this day highly revered for his outstanding physical ability as a karate master, with the agility and grace of a magician.
In 1962, he traveled to the United States and is famous for being the Okinawan who brought karate to America. He had taught for many years as Chief Instructor in Master Nagamine's Dojo in Okinawa. He had the reputation of being the instructor that was always on the deck, doing his personal training, conducting classes and training the American military men.
Over the years we have hosted karateka from Okinawa, many of them were his neighbors and friends. They all marvel at his karate ability, his propagation of the art and how he keeps the style pure. To date we have 17 karate locations throughout the world of Shorin-Ryu Karate USA under the direction of Hanshi, a most traditional and conservative style which endures over the centuries.
Join with our family of Dojo to celebrate Hanshi's Birthday in your Dojo/ Club for our Annual Katathon. Proceeds from this event are used to support the Karate Museum. All of us own this museum together. The Karate Museum tells the history of the Okinawan people, of karate and the story of Hanshi Ueshiro.
2001 marks the 7th year of the Museum. Your check is a donation to a not for profit organization and can be used as a tax deduction.
Make checks payable to:
Shorin-Ryu Karate USA Museum Fund,
1755 S. Tropical Trail, Merritt Island, Fl. 32952.
Be as generous as you can.
Sincerely,
Sensei Judy
Roku Dan
Shorin-Ryu Karate USA
under the direction of Hanshi Ansei Ueshiro