UESHIRO SHORIN-RYU KARATE USA
UNDER THE DIRECTION OF HANSHI ROBERT SCAGLIONE
45th ANNIVERSARY
click on photos to enlarge
Photos from The SRKUSA 45th Anniversary Celebration held in Northern Virginia / Washington D.C.
Hosted by the Deshi of Ueshiro East Meets West Karate Club, Centreville, VA
August 16-21, 2007
"Certainly Karate teaches you how to focus your being on certain goals, whether it be to perfect a kata or master the nun-chuk. And this focusing carries over into the rest of your life. Karate is more than just a physical skill; it is a balancing of mind and body. It is a spiritual system as well as a sport, and one that is as valid today as it was two hundred years ago."
--Grand Master Ansei Ueshiro
"Greetings to all Sensei and Deshi of Ueshiro Shorin-Ryu Karate, USA.
The sheer numbers in last month's promotion/review - 23 promoted to San-dan or above, 13 promoted to Sho-dan or Ni-dan, 16 advancing in kyu rank - give only a small glimpse of the depth and strength of our organization since Grand Master Ansei Ueshiro set out 45 years ago on his historic journey. That mission continues unswerving thanks to your commitment to the highest standards as handed down through your Shihan and Sensei.
Many themes were echoed during the days of training in Virginia and at the Washington Monument. While paying tribute to Master Ueshiro's courage and tenacity in coming to a new country, we also addressed the need to bring karate-do into our own communities, propagating the values set forth in our Mission Statement and the karate creed.
As we approach the end of the year many exciting events, visits and grand openings are anticipated throughout the organization, culminating in the Annual Black Belt Meeting on December 2 in New York City. 2008 will then kick off with an open invitation for all to train in Florida during mid-February. Never have students of Shorin-Ryu USA had more opportunities to travel and expand their expertise in the martial arts.
Each of us should also be formulating a five-year plan, setting our sights on the half-century mark of Master Ueshiro's pioneering voyage. The plan may include goals for career, family, travel, education. Whatever such goals, let SRKUSA inspire you on that first step.
There are no secrets or shortcuts in the elusive pursuit of perfection of karate. It is NOT the gathering of more information. Rather the "advanced course" would clearly be: putting into practice the knowledge we possess. We develop by consistently improving our kata and technique through tireless repetition and practice of what we have already learned.
Simply stated....Just Do It!
Keep training,
Sincerely,
Hanshi Robert Scaglione
Ueshiro Shorin-Ryu Karate USA"
Domo Arigato for making these photos available:
Mary McKitrick,
Northampton Ueshiro Karate,
Northampton, MA
Sensei Michael Margulis,
Ueshiro Midtown Karate (Hombu) Dojo,
New York, NY
"This photo will forever remind us that our art is a strong, upright one. And that we who form the base are its heirs."
(In reference to the photo of the Washington Monument - see above)
-- Kyoshi David Baker
"I have seen karate-ka of tremendous talent and diversity travel far and wide to honor Grand Master Ansei Ueshiro and the art form he painstakingly brought to our country. "We are making history" Hanshi assured us, continuing the historic journey of karate in the United States that began in 1962, and the 450 year history of karate that began in Okinawa."
-- Kyoshi Michael Mackay
"The Washington Monument soars 555 feet above the nation's capital. Hanshi has set our sights on goals that reach far beyond.
Domo arigato gozaimasu, Hanshi!"
-- Kyoshi Michael Mackay
“My four sons have been training karate for 30 years since age five. One thing we did as a family was to do work out at rest stops on long road trips. As I look back at the years of their childhood – the road trips, the quality time in conversations, and training together – these are some of my most precious memories.”
-- Father, 68-year old, who trained with his 4 sons in karate; 40 years of training.
"Once again I was overwhelmed by the tremendous show of strength and personal resolve demonstrated by our group, our family, our army but most impressive is the continuing growth and power of our collective SPIRIT. To that I say domo arigato gozaimasu Hanshi."
-- Sensei Chris Barnes
"Hanshi .... Although I never had the privelege to meet or practice with Master Ueshiro I now feel as if I knew him. Thank you for the stories."
-- Sensei Daniel Gobillot
Excerpt from "There is More Work to be Done":
"... factor in the work to be done on the deck, challenge the "as we teach, we learn principal", grasp and listen to the ancient voice within the katas, open your view, trust your instincts, find mutual respect for your fellow deshi, your enemy and the loved ones around you."
-- Sensei Preston Powell