Sensei George E. Mattson

50 Years of Teaching

What would inspire a young man to dedicate his entire life to the study of a martial art?

In 1956 George E. Mattson was serving a military tour of duty on the island of Okinawa. He was a troubled young man and acted out in ways that are all too familiar with the unfocused youth of today. His military career was on the path of destruction and he was happy to oblige. Fatefully he met a great

Sensei Ryuko Tomoyose who became his friend and teacher. With guidance and permission from Master Kanei Uechi he was given the honor of being the first American to be taught the art of Uechi-ryu karate. After many hours and days of continued work and dedication he earned the respect of his teachers and given the privilege of being the first American to be given a Black Belt Certificate. George has never forgotten that bestowment and for the past 50 years he has committed his life to honor his teachers and the Okinawans for accepting him and for showing him a greater path for his life.

 

This video captures Sensei Mattson’s love and dedication to the Okinawans and to his Uechi-ryu teachers. It was developed for U.S. Military personnel as a educational tool to get them familiar with the Okinawans while they were stationed on the island.

Through his many years of practice and teaching Sensei Mattson has continued to share that hidden within the Uechi-ryu art is all that a martial artist needs. What he has learned as a practitioner and teacher for the past 50 years encompasses a belief that he only just grasped when he learned as a student over 50 years ago. He now remembers with new understanding to what the Great Master Kanei Uechi meant and he watches with new eyes as to what he saw those many years ago.

Today in Sensei Mattson’s dojo, at his Summerfest and Winterfest celebration and at any clinic and seminar he attends - he imparts the results of the growing understanding of the true meaning of Uechi-Ryu that only can result in many years of study and reflection.