Uchi Deshi – An old system in a modern world.

Some years ago, Colwell sensei publicly declared that Trevor Streets would be his recognised Uchi Deshi. The Uchi Deshi system is very rarely seen in modern Budo, so the following article is an attempt to clarify this historical position in modern times.

If you look up Uchi Deshi on a search engine, the results that comeback can be categorised in two groups. The vast majority for Aikido and a small minority for Karate. The aikido ones are mostly various organisations offering residential courses to study Aiki. All seem to be North American based and range from simple intensive courses to take you from novice to shodan to highly suspect organisations that look like a cult to me.  The model for this of course, comes from Mr Ueshiba and his system of Uchi Deshi.  The few Karate ones are again short intensive residential course offering to take the novice to shodan level and then, a little more concerning, send out the newly qualified Dan grade to set up a branch dojo on a franchise basis!

Both of these results are from the interpretation and use of Uchi Deshi as live-in student whereas it can also be read as inner student. This is the relationship I have with my Sensei. Mr Ronnie Colwell.

But before we explore that, let’s put the Uchi Deshi/Sensei relationship in historical context. The system has been around as long as structured Ryuha (schools) have existed. It is not confined to martial systems but would have been seen in any endeavour that the Japanese studied and devoted lifetimes to perfecting. One of the great talents of the Japanese is surely their the ability to focus on something, explore it, refine it and develop it to unbelievable depths. From flower arranging, to tea making and then to killing, they have analysed, systemised and categorised techniques. Producing the ryuha that, if not still active today, gave birth to the Martial Arts as we know them.

In the historical case the Uchi Deshi was chosen with a view to becoming the next school head if a direct family member wasn’t available. The Uchi Deshi would accompany the Sensei on any trips and act as Uke for any demonstrations He would also have to take on many administrative or secretarial roles. This was still part of the education on what the full role of a school head involved. The standing in front of a class and shouting was only part of it as anyone who runs a club these days will testify.

But has this inner student position a place in modern Budo? I think it does. If you can find an old fashioned sensei that has a lifetime of experience then it would be a crime if that experience wasn’t passed on to the next generation. My sensei won’t mind me sharing that fact that he has been active in the martial systems since he was a young lad. He’s 72 now, so has had some 60 years of experience of Karate and Jyu Jutsu worldwide. It’s my role as Uchi Deshi to glean all of that experience before the old boy pops his clogs. A lot of the experiences and lessons my Sensei learned are not for public consumption but are reserved for private students.

In conclusion, if you can find a genuine, old fashioned Sensei that is looking for that apprentice then submit yourself to his teachings with an open heart. But beware, they are few and far between whereas there are legions that are on an ego trip and want follows to sit at there feet and call them Master!