Yasuhiro Uema Sensei is a 10th Dan in Shorin-Ryu Karate and a prominent member of the Okinawa Shorin-Ryu Karatedo Kyokai. Born on August 15, 1945, in the Shuri district of Naha, his life has been dedicated to the preservation and transmission of Okinawan martial heritage.
Uema Sensei began his training at the age of twelve under the strict guidance of his father, Joki Uema Sensei. He furthered his profound knowledge of the art through the teachings of legendary masters Chozo Nakama Sensei (1899-1982), Seitoku Ishikawa Sensei (1925-2013), and Teikichi China Sensei (1924-2003).
In the early 1970s, following the recommendations of his teachers, Uema Sensei established his own Shorin-Ryu school. He named his dojo Shubukan (守武館). The name is derived from three kanji: shu (to protect), bu (the military/martial thing), and kan (vast residence).
Uema Sensei interprets "Shubukan" as a place where one learns to protect—not just people, but also the historical knowledge of the past and the spirit of mutual understanding between practitioners.
While his roots remain firmly in Shuri, Uema Sensei has been teaching his art internationally since 1997, particularly in Switzerland and Canada. He received his 9th Dan from the Okinawa Shorin-Ryu Karatedo Kyokai in 2000, and in November 2021, he was awarded the prestigious rank of 10th Dan.
Today, he serves as the director of the Shubukan and as technical director for numerous dojos and schools across Spain, the Czech Republic, Canada, the United States, and Switzerland, promoting a spirit of peace and brotherhood through Karate.
Sadly Yasuhiro Uema passede away on January 2, 2025.
Courtesy of Yasuhiro Uema
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