Okinawan Uechi Karate School

Okinawan Uechi-Ryu Karate, the Okinawan Karate-Do Association and Okinawan Uechi-Ryu Dojo of Ed and Jean DeCosta has been located in downtown North Attleboro for over 43 years. The dojo is the oldest established dojo in North Attleboro and the surrounding areas. Ed, 9th dan and Jean DeCosta, 8th dan black belts, have more than 65 years combined experience in the style of Okinawan Uechi Ryu. Okinawan Uechi-Ryu Karate History Uechi-Ryu (Way-Chee Roo) is a form of Chinese Temple Fighting. In the United States it is referred to as Kung Fu or Karate, and in Japan and Okinawa as Karate. In China, its formal name is Fwange-Nun (Pong-Gi Non). Fwange-Nun, from Northern China, is the interwoven movements of the tiger, crane and dragon. It is a specialized method of self defense that concentrates on the use of the Single-Knuckle Punch, Spear Hand Strike, Pointed Kick and Circular Block Grand Master Kanbum Uechi, the founder of Uechi-Ryu Karate is responsible for lifting the Chinese veil of secrecy, bringing this martial art our of China and into Japan and Okinawa. At the age of 20, to avoid serving in the Japanese military (which at the time occupied Okinawa), Uechi fled to China. There, in Fukien Province, he studied the art of Fwange-Nun. His teacher was Shushiwa, a priest who had received his training from a temple monk. Uechi studied in Fukien for ten years and became a master of Fwange-Nun. At the end of his training, Master Uechi opened a school in Nanchon, a city in Fukien Province. He taught there for three years. During this time one of his students became involved in a dispute and called upon his training to kill another person. Disheartened by this event, Master Uechi vowed never to teach again, closed his school and returned to his homeland. The year was 1910. Master Uechi has the distinction of being the only Okinawan ever to have been accepted in China as a teacher Returning to Okinawa, he married, and on June 26, 1911 his son Kanei was born. He still refused to teach his art and only once during the ensuing years reluctantly demonstrated his Kata (formal set of movements) In 1924, the Uechi family moved to Wakayam Prefecture near Osaka, Japan. In 1927, Master Uechi began teaching his young son the art of Fwange-Nun. Around this time, friends persuaded him to resume teaching publicly. The term Uechi-Ryu (Uechi's style) was first used in the fall of 1940. In April 1942, Master Uechi's son, Kanei, now a master in his own right, returned to Okinawa from Japan. Master Uechi continued to teach in Wakayam Prefecture until 1947. He then returned to Okinawa in April of 1947 and died November 25, 1948, in Lejima, an island off the coast of Okinawa. His body returned to Nago, Okinawa for burial. He was 71 years of age. His son Master Kanei Uechi opened his dojo (training hall) in Futenma, Okinawa in April of 1949. He continued to train until his death in February of 1991. Instructors Shihan Edward DeCosta opened his dojo in April of 1974 in downtown North Attleboro, the first karate school in the area. In the 43 years in downtown North Attleboro, he has taught hundreds of students, both children and adults, the defensive style of Shohei-Ryu. His rank is Shihan (master instructor) and ninth degree black belt in the Okikukai Association. During one of his trips to Okinawa, both he and his wife Jean, were personally awarded Intensive Training Certificates by Master Kanei Uechi. He teaches all classes in his school and is assisted by his wife and other high ranking black belts; many who have been with him for 40 years or more. Both he and Jean are both active in the community, performing for community events, schools, libraries, churches, scouting organizations and women's groups, and frequently hold seminars and specialized workouts. Through the years he has taught students with behavioral problems, handicapped children and adults, dyslex children, children with ADDS (Attention Deficit Disorder).