pangainoon historical question

[Jin Gang]

If there ever was a style called "pangainoon", or "half hard half soft" in whatever dialect, it probably doesn't exist anymore. I've heard it said that that was the name that Kanbun Uechi gave his school, not the name it was called in China or by his teachers. This is from a Japanese/Okinawan website which covers the various style of karate
http://www.wonder-okinawa.jp/023/eng/009/001/index.html

"The founder of Uechi-ryu was Kanbun Uechi (1877-1948),who went to Fuzhou in Fujian Province, China when he was 20 years old in 1897. He became a pupil of Shushiwa (1874-1926), the leading figure of Chinese Nanpa Shorin-ken, and performed ascetic practices for 13 years. After being full mastership had been conferred, Kanbun Uechi returned home, and then moved to Wakayama City, Wakayama Prefecture, where in 1925 he established the Institute of Pangainun-ryu (half-hard and soft) Todi-jutsu, the predecessor of Uechi-ryu karate-do, and began the process of launching his own dojo. In 1940, it was renamed Uechi-ryu after him."

"nanpa shorin-ken" is the Japanese way of saying "nan shaolin quan", which is south shaolin fist. This is a very generic description which includes many styles of martial arts.
From appearances, Uechi ryu (and goju ryu), have the most similarity to styles like five ancestor fist and white crane styles, and other so called "Hakka" styles, like southern mantis and maybe even Bak Mei. I say this due to the "sanchin" stance, with toes pointed in, the short arm motions and very few kicks. The actual kata, the way they are performed now, don't exactly match anything in China today. The Chinese styles generally have a "softer" appearance, especially the white crane styles. I disagree that Uechi Ryu has similarities to Hsing I Chuan(xingyiquan), as some people have suggested.

Uechi Ryu Sanseiryu
http://video.google.com/videoplay?d...231&start=0&num=10&so=0&type=search&plindex=0

Five Ancestor Fist
http://video.google.com/videoplay?d...=87&start=0&num=10&so=0&type=search&plindex=0

http://video.google.com/videoplay?d...=87&start=0&num=10&so=0&type=search&plindex=2

southern white crane
http://video.google.com/videoplay?d...l=4&start=0&num=10&so=0&type=search&plindex=0

 

[Richard Ratzkoff]

Jim, I am Richard Ratzkoff - a practitioner of Pangainoon Kung Fu for the past 55 years. The style may not be - today - a popular one due to the strict training and limited "sport" application... on the other hand - the style is superb for the pupose of all-out personal combat. In reference to Uechiryu -- Master Uechi studued the Pangainoon style and brought it in his own form to Okinawa. George Matson, a Master of the Uechi Ryu style and a noted instructor of that style has written several books about this very subject.
As far as the practice of Pangainoon, I have had, over a period of 18 years in Israel, moe than 3,000 students - both civilian and military - and there are several of my advanced students - now instructors in their own right - carrying on the practice with students of their own. I, in fact, will be in Israel next week for a 14 day training seminar open to the public as well as practitioners of Pangainoon. You may find through google my primary student in Israel = Shai Hai and associated information.

 

[newtothe dark]

While not a student of either art I have read that NGO CHO is a art from southern China that very much resembles some of the Ueici kata I believe the comparison is on Sam Chien and San Chin this is a site I found on it somewhat. Not trying to start a "lineage" thing just remember an article in a magazine that gave it as a possible historical link http://www.konghankungfu.com

 

[arnisador]

While not a student of either art I have read that NGO CHO is a art from southern China that very much resembles some of the Ueici kata I believe the comparison is on Sam Chien and San Chin

I think that's true, and I think the comparison goes deeper than that. Alexander Co's book on this is a good resource for comparing Ngo Cho to Okinawan Karate in general. Personally, I think Uechi isn't even the art it's closest to. There is another book on it by Jose Paman due soon.

I'd love to meet a practitioner and learn more!