USA Motobu Udundi Kobujutsu Kenkyukai
Sensei Rivers formed the Motobu Udundi Kobujutsu Research Society to establish a point of contact for practitioners of Motobu Udundi in the US to share information and to offer training to martial artists interested in learning the nuances of this classical martial art.
The Research Society is an informal association of Motobu Udundi practitioners with the purpose of refining our skills in Motobu Udundi.
Shin Dojo is associated with the Koza Okinawa Gudokan Dojo. The dojo was lead by the late Taira Ryushu who recently passed away in 2009. Taira Sensei received MenkyoKaiden (certificate of full transmission) from Motobu Udundi 12th Soke Uehara Seikichi. He was a personal student of Uehara Sensei for 30 years. The dojo is currently headed by Shihan Takamiyagi Tetsuo, 8th Dan.
Taira Sensei was one of the most knowledgeable and caring instructors we've ever had the pleasure of knowing. Takamiyagi Sensei has taken the reins of the dojo and the future of the art could not be in better hands.
Additionally, Motobu Chosei, Soke is a warm and highly proficient master of the arts. He is the 14th Headmaster of the art. The Motobukai in Osaka has a web-site with a very detailed information section in English. You can see it by clicking here:
The Okinawa Headquarters is headed by Hanshi Uehara Takeshi, son of the late Soke Uehara Seikichi.
WHAT IS UDUNDI?
Udun is the Okinawan term (Okinawan and Japanese dialects differ slightly) for "Palace" referring to the royal court or members of the royal court of the old Okinawan Kingdom. It is also the title given to the upper aristocratic members of the Okinawan royal family. Di is the Okinawan pronounciation of TE in Japanese, meaning hand, but in Okinawa means "Martial Arts." So, Udundi means "Royal/ Palace Martial Arts or Budo of the Udun.
It is important to note that Motobu Udundi is a unique martial art, not the "most deadly martial art". Many people question its efficacy who no absolutely nothing about the context of it.
Motobu Udundi is a Koryu (an old/ classical style founded before 1871), recognized by the Nihon Kobudo Kyokai, of which only documented koryu can receive membership. The only two Okinawan Budo recognized by the NKK are Motobu Udundi and the Goju Ryu, although many Okinawan ryu ha (styles) could certainly maintain memberships should they desire (some feel Okinawan arts do not need recognition by formal Japanese Associations).
It is called MOTOBU Udundi due to the arts first formalization of the art by the Motobu family. The Motobu patriarch was Motobu Chohei (1655-1687).
Motobu Udundi is transmitted in several phases. Proper footwork and basic striking techniques are first taught. This is a very "kihon intensive" process as the principles of Motobu Udundi are much different than its Karatedo cousin. The way a practitioner moves is based on postures such as tachuu gwaa and use concepts such as meutudi in its execution. Footwork is specific with its trademark "ball of foot" movement. Good kihon training builds a good understanding of nanba, irimi, and kerikumi.
KATA
Motobu Udundi kata are more a way to practice kihon (basics) than serving as a style's historical record as seen in Karatedo kata. Partner training is the most effective way of transmitting the art, but kata practice is a very useful tool as well. The kata include 5 empty hand Mutudi kata as well as kata for all of the weaponry.
WEAPONS
Weapons training involves the use of all contemporary tools as well as Chinese tools and some unique to Udundi. Most body movements are universal whether the practitioner is armed or unarmed, thus the importance of the kihon phase of training.
Weapons utilized include sword, bo, eku, tonfa, kama, nunchaku, and sai and have many unique applications.
IAIDORI
Iaidori is the use of the sword against an attack with the initial response being the drawing of the sword from its scabbard. These techniques are done seated and standing. Udundi swordsmanship separates itself from Japanese swordsmanship in that the techniques are done left and right handed.
Shito Ryu Karate Do
Mugai Ryu Iaihyodo
Motobu Udundi Kobujutsu
Toraken Ryu/ Hakko Ryu Jujutsu
Uchida Ryu/ Tosei Ryu Tanjojutsu
Isshin Ryu Kusarigamajutsu
Back Row, Left to Right: Sensei Tom Wright, Sensei Tom McDermott, Sensei Rob Zingg, Sensei Luis Feliciano.
Front Row, Left to Right: Sensei Rivers, Soke Chosei Motobu, Hanshi Shobu Inaba, Sensei David Reid.
Additionally, the sword is not carried in the belt and is carried in the hand "tachi-style" with the cutting edge of the sword pointing at the ground. The context of Udundi swordsmanship is completely different than most basic Japanese swordsmanship ideals as the only people in Okinawa that would be carrying swords were the palace guards or the aristocracy, although the aristocrat would have someone carrying his sword for him, making for unique scenarios.
TUIDI
Tuidi is a grappling type application unique to Udundi that is similar to some classical Jujutsu methods but entirely developed on the island of Okinawa in the unique context of the Okinawan aristocracy.
MAI
Udundi postures and movements are very similar to traditional Okinawan dance and practitioners practice "Mai" as most Okinawan cultural assets are pleasantly intertwined and have been for hundreds of years. A quote from Motobu Udundi 11th Headmaster, Motobu Chosei Aji (Lord) says it all about the dancing traditions of Udundi:
"Aji kata no mei kata... "
"Do not look upon the dancing of the aji as just dance. Upon their waza are profound waza" (this is the formal translation from the headquarter's web-site)
"Hamachidori" is a popular dance performed by Motobu Udundi practitioners.
Shin Dojo has been active in Motobu Udundi since 2004. At the time, Sensei Rivers was a 5th Dan and Shihan in Karatedo, a 4th Dan in Japanese swordsmanship and 4th Dan in Jujutsu. Most serious practitioners of Motobu Udundi began their martial arts journey in other arts and transition into Motobu Udundi. Motobu Udundi is not necessarily for the beginner martial arts student. Sensei Rivers undertook the study of Motobu Udundi to further understand the history of the Motobu ha Shito Ryu Karate style and the nuances of classical Okinawan Budo Culture from the source. He hosted Motobu Udundi Masters in 2005, 2006, 2009, and 2010 at his Virginia Dojo and trained in Okinawa in 2008. He is one of a handful of non-Japanese practitioners to be exposed to the nuances of this unique and historically relevent martial art.
Seven years after beginning his journey in Motobu Udundi, Sensei Rivers is able to share all of the above mentioned facets of Motobu Udundi to interested practitioners of Traditional Budo who are interested in a uniquely Okinawan methodology.
