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From our knowledge, this footage was actually filmed by George Mattson in 1965 at a specially arranged martial-arts gathering in Taiwan for a visiting Uechi-ryu delegation that included Kanei Uechi (上地完英), Ryuko Tomoyose (友寄隆幸), George Mattson, and Charles Earle. As part of their broader investigation into the roots of Uechi-ryu, they were welcomed with fireworks and reportedly watched 34 demonstrations, with masters from Fujian among those present. Mattson and Earle also performed some of their Uechi-ryu.
Afterwards, the participants discussed martial arts in Taiwan and teachers from the participating schools planned a reciprocal visit to Okinawa, details documented in Universal Judo Karate Martial Arts Magazine, Vol. 1, No. 5 (1965). Other notable figures in attendance were Zhang Junfeng (張俊峰), his wife Xu Baomei (徐抱妹), Su Yuchang (蘇昱彰), Hong Yixiang (洪懿祥), Gao Daosheng (高道生), Liang Jici (梁紀慈), Shen Maohui (沈茂惠), Jiang Changgen (姜長根), Han Lingling (韓玲玲), etc.
Many believe Robert W. Smith was the source of this video, which is an impression people have had of this footage for decades. However, Smith – unless he returned – was stationed in Taiwan from 1959-1962 for only 3 years, leaving at least 2-3 years before this event (i.e., since some claim it may’ve occurred in 1964). That means, while Smith was likely very aware of this gathering, it’s also possible that he wasn’t actually there and that he didn’t record it himself. Masters and Methods, after all, was first published in 1974, 10 years later, and there appears to be no evidence that supports this claim.
Plus, if you look really closely, it certainly does appear to be Kanei Uechi seated at the front of the room to the right just behind the head table in the same exact direction the performers happen to be directing their bows (14:50). The man’s compact facial structure, hairline, brow, ears, apparent age, etc., align well with known photographs of Uechi around that period. On the other hand, Tomoyose may be seated to the far left. While the image of him is much less clear, the long, lean face, pronounced cheekbones, and seemingly younger age again fit well.
If you recognize any other participants or forms, please share them in the comments.
This is what we’ve come up with so far:
1. 00:00 – Su Yuchang (蘇昱彰) – Intercepting Boxing (攔截拳)
2. 00:38 – Hong’s student – Xingyi Chicken Form (形意拳雞形)
3. 01:09 – Unknown – Possibly Fujian White Crane
4. 01:33 – Unknown – Unknown form
5. 02:36 – Hong Yixiang & student – Qinna applications (擒拿)
6. 04:29 – Hong’s students – Xingyi 2-per (形意對練)
7. 05:20 – Hong’s student – Xingyi 5 Elements (形意五行拳)
8. 06:06 – Unknown – Unknown form (square tie)
9. 07:25 – Unknown – Unknown form (short, white hair)
10. 08:10 – Unknown – Possibly Wuzu Boxing
11. 09:07 – Unknown – Possibly Southern Taizu
12. 10:33 – Prob. Liao Wuchang’s student – Kao Kun Monkey (猴拳)
13. 12:08 – Unknown – Unknown form (black vest)
14. 12:55 – Unknown – Unknown form (white long sleeves)
15. 13:27 – Gao’s students – Xiao Hu Yan (小虎燕)
16. 14:06 – Unknown – Unknown form (white tie)
17. 14:53 – Liang Jici (梁紀慈) – Silu Benda (四路奔打)
18. 15:28 – Gao Daosheng – Abridged Bai Ma Xia Shan (白馬下山)
19. 16:00 – Possibly Gao’s student – Xiao Hu Yan (小虎燕)
20. 16:40 – Unknown – Cha Boxing (查拳)
21. 17:20 – Unknown – Unknown form (black tie)
22. 17:36 – Unknown – Unknown form (black vest)
23. 18:27 – Shen Maohui/Jiang Changgen – Qinna 2-per (擒拿對打)
24. 19:42 – Han Lingling (韓玲玲) – Han Kunwu Sword (韓門崑吾劍)
25. 20:29 – Gao’s students – Possibly Xiao Wu Shou 2-per
26. 21:19 – Gao’s students – Bengbu (崩步)
27. 21:53 – Unknown girl – Double Straight Swords (雙劍)
28. 23:08 – Zhang Zhunfeng/Xu Baomei – Xingyi 2-per An Shen Pao (形意安身炮)
29. 23:35 – Unknown girl returns – Double Straight Swords (雙劍)
30. 25:07 – Jiang Changgen/Han Lingling – San Cai Sword 2-per (三才對劍)
31. 25:46 – Shen Maohui (沈茂惠) – Bagua Broadsword (八卦單刀)
32. 26:08 – Unknown – Double Broadswords (雙刀)
