Sensei Masters of Okinawan Karate - James Thompson - Uechi-ryu Karate

MERRY CHRISTMAS!!! Glad I could share this amazing story over the holidays.

James Thompson served in the U.S. military for two decades. He trained in special operations, completed 4 tours in Vietnam, and survived numerous other high-risk assignments.

While stationed in Okinawa he decided to study karate to supplement the military unarmed combat so that he could "overcome any adversary." He studied Uechi-ryu under Kanei Uechi, son of Kanbun Uechi, founder of Uechi-ryu.

James Thompson is now president of Uechi Ryu Karate Do Kokusai Kyokai, having received his 9th and 10th ranks from Senaga Yoshitsune Sensei in Okinawa. He continues to teach karate in Kalamazoo, Michigan, and returns to Okinawan to reconnect with his Uechi-Ryu community including friends such as Takara Sensei, Senaga Sensei, Gaja Sensei, and Shinjo Sensei.

This interview was conducted during his October 2023 visit to Okinawa.

Enjoy the video and let us know in the comments your favorite piece of wisdom from the interview.

Sensei: Masters of Okinawan Karate is a documentary series about the amazing martial arts teachers living on Okinawa, the birthplace of karate. It is completely free to watch on YouTube, anywhere in the world! Series One has more than 1,000,000 views and a fan community of 30,000+ on Facebook. The International Edition episodes are interviews with key karateka who have helped spread Okinawan karate around the world.

Learn more about the project here and how you can help here:

https://travel67.com/the-karate-maste...

GOALS OF THE SERIES
1. Document the stories of Okinawan karate masters and their philosophy on life and their martial arts practice.
2. Record in the highest quality possible. Ideally 4K or 8K, RAW, multi camera, multi audio
3. Store the original data as an archival record.
4. Transcribe and translate the recordings to spread knowledge of Okinawan martial arts, history and culture.
5. Make the videos available for free online via YouTube, and on Bujin.tv so that anyone, anywhere can see them.
The documentary series grew out of the Karate Masters Portrait Project which began in 2012. The portrait project allowed amazing access to the sensei, but it was only Chris Willson and James Pankiewicz who got to hear their stories. The documentary series is a way for us to share that unique knowledge with the international karate community, and to archive aspects of Okinawan culture before they disappear.

If you can help sponsor or support this series like the awesome people listed below please get in touch!

SERIES TWO SPONSORS

Martin Pinto - Essex Goju Ryu Karate

Doug Perry - Okinawa Shorinryu Karate

Cezar Borkowski - Northern Karate Schools

NOVA Okinawan Karate Dojo

Seikichi Iha, Okinawa Prefectural Intangible Cultural Asset - Beikoku Shidokan Karatedo Association

Neil Stolsmark - Authentic Ancient Arts
Okinawa Kobudo Doushi Rensei Kai & Shorin- Ryu Shorinkan.

Zensekai Karate Kobujitsu Renmei / Oyata Preservation Foundation

Series Two - Key Supporters

Ervin Tong - Shin Shi Kan
Fred Mansfield Jr. - Beikoku Shidokan / RBKD
Robert Roberto Curtis - Beikoku Shidokan / Virginia Dojo
琉球大学国際地域創造学部 ウェルネス研究分野 (荒川研究室)
Mark Spear - Black Bear Dojo


Series Supporters

Ari Nuutinen
Justin Sheehy
David Deinert
Fred Speece
Andreas Sticht
Danny Smith
Olaf Steinbrecher
Jonathan Lapomardo
Shelley Cormier
Gerry Campbell
Marian Reiter
Joel Castasus
Åke Mora Temnerud
Victoria Kirkup
Robin Ross
Thomas Podzelny
Andy Morris
Darren Xiberras
James Hatch
John J. Strangeway