Toyama Seiko Sensei
Hanshi Judan (10th Dan)
UechiRyu Zakimi Shubukan
Yomitan, Okinawa
25 Oct. 1928 - 10 Apr. 2009
~~~ Jun 1938: Began karate training under Uechi Kanbun Sensei.
~~~ Nov 1951: Continued training under Uechi Kanei Sensei, after the passing of Uechi Kanbun Sensei.
~~~ Jan 1954: Opened “UechiRyu Miyagi Shubukan”.
~~~ Jun 1958: Achieved 4th Dan.
~~~ Oct 1960: Achieved 5th Dan.
~~~ Dec 1964: Achieved Renshi 6th Dan.
~~~ May 1967: Received “Zen Okinawa KarateDo Renmei Kyoshi” -- All Okinawa KarateDo Assn. Senior Master Level (equivalent to 7th Dan).
~~~ Nov 1969: UechiRyu KarateDo Assn. Konin Shinbanin (Certified Referee) and Shinsa Iin (Certified Member Judge).
~~~ Feb 1972: Received Shihan Certificate #2.
~~~ May 1974: Vice President, UechiRyu KarateDo Assn.
~~~ Mar 1976: Opened UechiRyu Zakimi Shubukan.
~~~ Sep 1976: Achieved Kyoshi Hachidan (8th Dan).
~~~ May 1987: Achieved Hanshi Kyudan (9th Dan) Certificate #1.
~~~ Apr 1998: Created Okinawa KarateDo UechiRyu Zankai.
~~~ Dec 1998: Achieved Hanshi Judan (10th Dan), promotion by Okinawa Prefectural Government.
Toyama Seiko was born in Wakayama Prefecture, near Osaka, Mainland Japan. When he was 10 years old, he was sponsored into Uechi Kanbun’s dojo by Kanbun’s wife.
Uechi Kanbun would always say “Yawarakasa (gracefully soft), Binkansa (be quick to seize an opportunity), and Chikarazuyosa (strong and powerful)” and the meanings of karate training. Uechi Kanbun also strongly emphasized the damage of alcohol (harmful to karate training). Neither he nor his son Kanei ever touched alcohol in their lives.
Toyama Sensei enjoyed listening to Uechi Kanbun’s stories and experiences in China every night after practice for many years. “Kanbun Sensei was always very strict during training, but after the session was a very warm-hearted man, and treated us as if we were family and friends.” After Toyama Sensei came to Okinawa he continued his training with Uechi Kanei. “He was like his father during the practice session, and just as warm-hearted as his father afterward.”
Toyama Sensei’s Life Philosophy: “As you grow and achieve higher levels, you become more and more humble. Like rice -- when it is ripe, it is a tall stalk but heavy with fullness -- it bows down its head...”
(Translation by Sumako Matsuda)