Uchi is a contemporary Japanese sushi restaurant located in Austin, Texas^[1] which opened in 2003. The Japanese word "Uchi" translates to "house" in English, and the 2,700-square-foot (250 m²) space is a refurbished home.^[2] Owner and chef^[3] Tyson Cole's menu consists of hot and cool tastings, sushi and sashimi , makimono, yakimono and tempura, and a changing omakase based on seasonal items. In 2011, Chef Cole secured his berth at the top of his field with his win as “Best Chef, Southwest” at the James Beard Foundation Awards^[4].

Uchiko[link]

Uchiko, Tyson Cole’s follow up to his first restaurant, Uchi, opened its doors in July 2010. Translated as “child of uchi” from Japanese, Uchiko is located at 4200 North Lamar, just south of 45th Street in Central Austin. The restaurant features a main dining room that accepts reservations throughout the evening and an eat in bar/café area.

Reviews and Features[link]

Uchi's success in a city more known for barbecue and brews than stylized fine dining has garnered the restaurant favorable reviews from Fearless Critic^[5]. Articles about chef and owner Tyson Cole have been featured in The Wall Street Journal^[6], Saveur^[7], Oxford American^[8], Tribeza magazine^[9], Austinist^[10], and Food & Wine Magazine ^[1].

Uchiko Reviews and Features[link]

Opened in July 2010, Uchiko elicited praise and attention from publications across the country. The restaurant has been mentioned in the Houston Chronicle^[11], Nation's Restaurant News^[12], Austin American-Statesman^[13], and Texas Monthly^[14]. In 2011, Uchiko was recognized as one of the top new restaurants in Texas in the Houston Chronicle^[15], Dallas Morning News^[16], San Antonio Express^[17], and Texas Monthly^[18]. The restaurant secured its place on the culinary landscape when - in early 2011 - it was named one of the best new restaurants in America by GQ Magazine^[19].

Biographies[link]

Tyson Cole - Owner and Chef

Owner of Uchi and Uchiko, Chef Cole is an American sushi master. Named one of the Top 10 “Best New Chefs” in 2005 by Food & Wine Magazine^[20], he led a team of Uchi chefs against Chef Masaharu Morimoto on the Food Network program Iron Chef America in March 2008^[21]. He has also been named a semifinalist in 2008^[22], 2009^[23], 2010^[24] for the James Beard Foundation Award in the category “Best Chef: Southwest”.

Paul Qui - Executive Chef, Uchiko

Chef Qui started working at Uchi in 2004—as an intern for free. His talents were quickly recognized and he rose through the ranks to become Chef de Cuisine at Uchi and now executive chef of Uchiko.^[10] Qui competed in and won the ninth season of Bravo's reality television series Top Chef.^[25]

Philip Speer - Pastry Chef, Uchi/Uchiko

Philip Speer is one of Austin’s most highly-renowned pastry chefs. Speer’s work has garnered him several local awards in both the Austin Chronicle and Austin American Statesman as well as national accolades in Bon Appetit, Cooks Illustrated and U.S.A Today. In 2011, Speer was named a James Beard Semi-Finalist ^[26], in the overall pastry chef category.

Awards[link]

Notable awards for Uchi include

• Rare Magazine – Best Fine Dining June 2010^[27]
• Rare Magazine – Best Service 2009, 2010^[27]
• Rare Magazine – Best Sushi 2008-2010^[27]
• Bon Appétit Magazine – Top Ten Sushi Spots April 2009^[28]
• The Fearless Critic – Best Restaurant in Austin 2008, 2010^[5]
• Zagat Guide – Best Food in Austin 2008-2010^[29]
• Houston Chronicle - Top Restaurants in Texas^[30]
• Austin Business Journal – Best Chef August 2007^[31]
• Austin American-Statesman XLENT – Five-star review May 2007^[32]
• Austin Chronicle reader’s poll Favorite Restaurant in Austin 2006-2010^[33]
• Austin Chronicle reader’s poll Best Sushi 2004-2010^[33]
• Austin Chronicle reader’s poll Best Chef 2005-2010^[33]
• Texas Monthly – Best New Restaurants in Texas February 2004^[34]

Notable Awards for Uchiko include

• Houston Chronicle - Top new restaurants in Texas^[15]
• San Antonio Express - Top new eateries in the state^[17]
• Dallas Morning News - Top 10 new restaurants in Texas^[16]
• GQ Magazine - Top new restaurant in America 2010^[35].
• Texas Monthly - Where to Eat Now, February 2011^[18].

References[link]

Morihiro Saito 斉藤 守弘 Saitō Morihiro
Born	(1928-03-31)March 31, 1928 Ibaraki Prefecture, Japan
Died	May 13, 2002(2002-05-13) (aged 74) of cancer
Nationality	Japanese
Style	Aikido
Teacher(s)	Morihei Ueshiba
Rank	Shihan, 9th dan

Morihiro Saito (斉藤 守弘 Saitō Morihiro, March 31, 1928–May 13, 2002) was a teacher of the Japanese martial art of aikido, with many students around the world. Saito's practice of aikido spanned 56 years, from the age of 18, when he first met aikido founder Morihei Ueshiba, until his death in 2002.^[1]

Early life[link]

Morihiro Saito was born in Ibaraki Prefecture, Japan, on 31 March 1928. Growing up in a poor farming village in the 1930s and early 40s, he recounted having the same interest in historical heroes such as Yagyū Jūbei Mitsuyoshi and Goto Matabe as most other Japanese boys. In the Japanese schools at that time, the martial arts of kendo and judo were taught to students, and Saito chose to study kendo.^[2]

In the years immediately following the end of World War II, the carrying of weapons of any kind, as well the practice of martial arts, was prohibited by the GHQ. As a result, Saito felt he should study some kind of unarmed self-defense technique, and began training in Shinto-ryū karate at the Shudokan in Meguro. After a short time, his work with the Japanese National Railways transferred him to Iwama, and he was forced to find other martial arts training. Thinking judo would be a useful complement to his kendo and karate skills, he began training at a judo dojo in Ishioka. In the summer of 1946, however, Saito heard stories about an "old man doing strange techniques up on the mountain near Iwama." It seemed that people were confused about what martial art, exactly, this old man was practicing, but one judo instructor said the man was teaching "Ueshiba-ryū Judo."^[2]

Meeting aikido's founder[link]

By July 1946, the GHQ-imposed ban upon the practice of martial arts had forced Morihei Ueshiba into an official "retirement" from practice for several years. Ueshiba took this opportunity to seclude himself in the small town of Iwama, and was engaged in the practice of ascetic training (shugyō), and some believe that it was during this period that Ueshiba was perfecting the practice of aikido.^[3]

It was at this time, at the age of 18, that Saito joined Ueshiba for training, which already included then live-in students Kisshomaru Ueshiba, Koichi Tohei, and Tadashi Abe. This early training was quite brutal, but after persevering for several years, Saito became one of Ueshiba's closest students. Much credit is given to the fortuitous work schedule Saito had with the Japanese National Railways, where Saito worked 24 hours on, 24 hours off. As a result, Saito was often the sole training partner of Ueshiba, and had the unique opportunity to train with Ueshiba in the practice of the sword and short staff, which occurred early each morning before the other students arrived.^[3]

Training[link]

Training at the Iwama dojo consisted of a great deal of farmwork. The life of the full-time live in students consisted of prayer each morning before sunrise, two meals of rice porridge each day, and training interspersed with copious amounts of work on the farm. As a result of Saito's 24 hours on, 24 hours off, position with the National Railway meant that he would train and live as a live-in student only every other 24 hours. Eventually, the other live-in students moved away, and when Saito returned from work, he would train alone with Ueshiba.^[4]

Although other students such as Koichi Tohei trained with Ueshiba for more years than Saito did, Saito's work allowed him to train almost as an uchideshi, for long periods as the only student.

From 1946 until Ueshiba’s passing in 1969, Saito served as Ueshiba's assistant in a variety of ways at Iwama while his wife served Mrs. Ueshiba. During Saito’s period as a deshi he taught classes in the Iwama dojo.

Ueshiba's death[link]

Before his death Ueshiba gave Morihiro Saito the responsibility of carrying on the teaching at the Iwama dojo and also the position of caretaker of the Aiki Jinja located in Iwama.

Training methodology and philosophy[link]

Saito's instruction of aikido is particularly remembered for its emphasis upon the basics of aikido, and especially upon the relationship between the armed and unarmed aspects of the art.^[5]

Kazuo Chiba, a live-in student (uchideshi) of Ueshiba at the Aikikai Hombu Dojo in Tokyo, recalled in particular the intensity of the training that occurred at the Iwama dojo,

Chiba also emphasized Saito's focus upon katai-keiko (固い稽古^?), or vigorous practice without holding back, which Ueshiba taught and Saito demonstrated in his methods of teaching and practice. Apparently, this rigorous training with Saito, which Ueshiba would often observe, also included intense conditioning exercises, as well as general farmwork that students at the Iwama dojo were expected to assist with.^[6]

Other students of Saito attest to his commitment to carry on Ueshiba's legacy, and to follow and preserve Ueshiba's teachings as Saito had learned them.^[7] Saito believed that striking techniques (atemi) are a "vital element" of aikido, and also that the principles of swordsmanship formed the basis of aikido techniques. He also advocated training to cope with the attacks of other martial arts, such as the kicks practiced in karate.^[8]

According to Saito's son, Hitohiro Saito, Saito believed that the basis of all empty-handed, sword, and staff techniques was the mastery of aikido's basic posture (hanmi). Saito believed that once the correct posture was mastered, the next step was to develop a proper kiai (sometimes translated as "spirit shout").^[9]

Legacy[link]

In the beginning of the 1970s, aikido students from outside Japan began traveling to Iwama to train under Saito. Later they would return to their native countries to teach what they had learned. There were also a small number of Japanese students of Saito who travelled abroad to teach Aikido, such as Takayasu-shihan.

The kind of aikido that Saito's students do is often referred to as Iwama aikido or Iwama style. In the West, Saito, along with many of his students, formed a dan-ranking network of dojos called Iwama Ryu, with ranks received directly from Saito rather than or in addition to those from the Aikikai although Saito never left that organization.

Saito family line[link]

After Saito's death, his son Hitohiro formed the independent Shinshin Aikishuren Kai (神信合気修練会^?). Some of the Iwama Ryu network dojos joined Hitohiro while others including some of Saito's longest students chose to remain affiliated with the Aikikai.

Hitohiro had already been the main instructor at Iwama dojo. Like the Aikikai Doshu, he does not claim a dan rank.

Senior (6th and 7th Dan) Direct Students[link]

United States:

• William Witt shihan (7th Dan)^[10]
• David Alexander (6th Dan)^[11]
• Dennis Tatoian (7th Dan)^[12]
• Hans Goto (7th Dan)^[13]
• Patricia Hendricks (7th Dan)^[14]

Japan

• Hiroki Nemoto (6th Dan)^[15]

The Netherlands:

• Lewis Bernaldo de Quiros (6th Dan) ^[16]

Italy:

• Paolo Corallini shihan (7th Dan)^[17]

Sweden:

• Ulf Evenås shihan (7th Dan) ^[18]

Portugal:

• Tristão da Cunha (7th dan SSASK) ^[19]

United Kingdom:

• Tony Sargeant (6th Dan)^[20]

Australia:

• Saburo Takayasu shihan (6th dan)^[21]

Published works[link]

Books[link]

• Saito, Morihiro (July 1, 1974). Traditional Aikido. Japan Publications Trading Co. ISBN 978-0-87040-287-6. 
• Saito, Morihiro (December 1984). Aikido: Its Heart and Appearance. Cheng & Tsui. ISBN 978-0-88727-040-6. 
• Saito, Morihiro (1994). Takemusu Aikido. Aiki News. ISBN 4-900586-16-1. 
• Saito, Morihiro (1997). Takemusu Aikido, Volume 4: Kokyunage. Aiki News. ISBN 4-900586-24-2. 
• Saito, Morihiro (1999). Takemusu Aikido Special Edition: Budo (Commentary on the 1938 Training Manual of Morihei Ueshiba). Aiki News. ISBN 4-900586-56-0. 
• Saito, Morihiro (2001). Takemusu Aikido, Volume 5: Bukidori & Ninindori. Aiki News. ISBN 4-900586-61-7. 
• Saito, Morihiro (2007). Takemusu Aikido, Volume 2: More Basics. Aiki News. ISBN 4-900586-20-X. 

Film[link]

• Saito, Morihiro (2003). Aiki Ken (DVD). Aikido Journal. 
• Saito, Morihiro (2003). Aiki Jo (DVD). Aikido Journal. 
• Saito, Morihiro (2005). Morihiro Saito: The Lost Seminars, Part 1-6 (DVD). Aikido Journal. 
• Saito, Morihiro (200?). Saito Sensei Paris 2000 pt. 1-4 (DVD). Aikishop.com. 
• Saito, Morihiro. 1990 U.S.A. West Coast Tour (DVD). Firelight Films. 

References[link]

External links[link]

• http://www.saitosensei.com
• http://www.takemusu.org

Karapet "Karo" Parisyan (Armenian: Կարո Փարիզյան; born August 28, 1982) is an Armenian-American mixed martial artist. From his days as a UFC mainstay, Karo holds notable wins over Ryo Chonan, Shonie Carter, Drew Fickett, Matt Serra, Nick Thompson, Chris Lytle, Nick Diaz and Antonio McKee.

Early life[link]

Parisyan was born in Yerevan, Armenian Soviet Socialist Republic. His family migrated to America when he was six years old. Parisyan started training in Judo when he was nine years old under fellow Armenian Gokor Chivichyan.^[1] Parisyan stated that his father began taking him to Judo lessons because he beat up on his sisters and Judo would be an effective outlet for Parisyan to take out his anger.^[1] In a book he published, however, Parisyan wrote that his father introduced him to judo to cure his laziness.^[2] By age 10, Parisyan was training his Judo under both Chivichyan and Gene LeBell.

Mixed martial arts career[link]

Hayastan Grappling System[link]

For more than thirteen years, Parisyan developed under the Hayastan Grappling System, a style developed by Gokor Chivichyan and Gene LeBell, which blends elements of Judo, Sambo, Catch Wrestling, Greco-Roman and Freestyle wrestling.^[3] Parisyan continued to train at the Hayastan Academy under Gokor and Gene until late 2005. In early 2012, Karo mentioned in an interview that he has returned to the Hayastan Academy.

Judo[link]

Parisyan has six Junior National belts to his credit and competed in the Olympic Judo trials ahead of the 2004 games in Athens. He wrote that going to the Olympics was his dream and that mixed martial arts was only an outlet for his boredom. During the trials, he received a call from UFC management and was invited to compete. He accepted because he needed money. But after the fight against Dave Strasser, his ribs needed recovery and he decided to give up on the trials.^[4]

Ultimate Fighting Championship[link]

Parisyan competes as a welterweight and made his UFC debut on September 23, 2003, beating Dave Strasser by kimura. He then went on to win the WEC welterweight title, defeating Shonie Carter. He then returned to the UFC, where he won consecutive decision victories over Nick Diaz, Chris Lytle and Matt Serra. He was widely considered as the top contender for the UFC welterweight title before a loss to Diego Sanchez.

Parisyan lost via TKO to Thiago Alves at UFC Fight Night 13 in the second round. Alves showed good resistance against Parisyan's grappling offense and finished Parisyan with a knee from the clinch, followed by strikes.

Parisyan was scheduled to fight Yoshiyuki Yoshida at UFC 88: Breakthrough, but a back injury forced him to drop out of the fight right before the weigh-ins.

After recovering from his back injury, Parisyan returned at UFC 94 on January 31, 2009 in Las Vegas against Kim Dong-hyun.^[5] Parisyan defeated Kim in a controversial split decision.^[6] Following the fight, Parisyan tested positive for banned painkillers hydrocodone, hydromorphone and oxymorphone.^[7] Parisyan has stated that he has a prescription for the medications due to a severe back / hamstring injury.^[8]

Parisyan was suspended pending a full hearing in mid-March.^[9] On March 17, 2009, the NSAC suspended Parisyan for nine months and ruled his decision victory a "no contest".^[10]

Parisyan was scheduled to fight Dustin Hazelett at UFC 106,^[11] but pulled out of the fight on November 19, the day before weigh-ins. UFC President Dana White responded to the situation on his Twitter stating that Parisyan will "not be fighting Saturday or ever again in the UFC!!" White also stated that he had "a laundry list of excuses."^[12] Later that day, Neil Melanson, a longtime friend and training partner of Parisyan's, divulged to MMA news site Five Ounces Of Pain that Parisyan has been battling an addiction to painkillers dating back to an injury suffered while training for a fight.^[13]

Post-UFC[link]

Karo Parisyan entered into talks with Strikeforce, looking to continue his mixed martial arts career in the USA, but they proved unsuccessful.^[14]

Parisyan's return fight had taken place on July 10, 2010 for Impact FC 1, in which he was formerly scheduled to fight Luis Dutra Jr., but Dutra would end up being forced off the card with a torn biceps. Parisyan's new opponent was then scheduled to be Ben Mortimer, who Parisyan would go on to defeat via rear-naked choke at 4:18 of the second round.

Return to the UFC[link]

On September 2, 2010, it was announced that Karo will be returning to the UFC. He faced Dennis Hallman at UFC 123 in November.^[15] Hallman defeated Parisyan via TKO (punches) at 1:47 of round 1. In a discussion with journalist Ariel Helwani following UFC 123, UFC President Dana White stated he believes Parisyan is through fighting in the UFC.^[16]

Post Second UFC Run[link]

Karo fought highly touted Canadian prospect Ryan Ford on May 19, 2011 in the MMA Live 1 show in London, Ontario, Canada.^[17] He was able to neutralize Ford's strength and power by applying his takedowns, as it seemed that the first and second rounds would lean in favor of Parisyan, but was caught in the third round by a vicious knee to the head which resulted in a cut over Karo's left eye that would end the fight via TKO due to a Doctor's Stoppage.

Parisyan fought Jordan Smith on September 14 in Brazil, Amazon Forest Combat 1. After a long hard battle going the distance, Parisyan came up short, losing the fight by split decision.

He was expected to fight Dave Menne on March 31, 2012, but Menne was forced off the card with an injury. Parisyan instead fought Thomas Denny.^[18] He won via unanimous decision.

Parisyan was scheduled to fight Shamar Bailey in the main event of ShoFIGHT 20 in Springfield, Missouri for the vacant welterweight title on June 16, 2012. However, Bailey was forced off the card due to an injury and replaced by John Gunderson.

Championships and accomplishments[link]

Mixed Martial Arts[link]

• World Extreme Cagefighting
  • WEC Welterweight Championship (One time)
• Wrestling Observer Newsletter
  • 2006 Fight of the Year vs. Diego Sanchez on August 17

Mixed martial arts record[link]

Result	Record	Opponent	Method	Event	Date	Round	Time	Location	Notes
		John Gunderson		ShoFIGHT MMA 20	02012-06-16June 16, 2012			Springfield, Missouri, United States	For vacant ShoFIGHT Welterweight Championship
Win	20–8 (1)	Thomas Denny	Decision (unanimous)	WMMA 1	02012-03-31March 31, 2012	3	5:00	El Paso, Texas, United States
Loss	19–8 (1)	Jordan Smith	Decision (split)	Amazon Forest Combat 1	02011-09-14September 14, 2011	3	5:00	Manaus, Brazil
Loss	19–7 (1)	Ryan Ford	TKO (cut)	MMA Live 1	02011-05-19May 19, 2011	3	1:26	London, Ontario, Canada	Doctor stopped the fight due to a cut that opened on Parisyan.
Loss	19–6 (1)	Dennis Hallman	TKO (punches)	UFC 123	02010-11-20November 20, 2010	1	1:47	Auburn Hills, Michigan, United States
Win	19–5 (1)	Ben Mortimer	Submission (rear-naked choke)	Impact FC 1	02010-07-10July 10, 2010	2	4:18	Brisbane, Australia
NC	18–5 (1)	Kim Dong-Hyun	No Contest	UFC 94	02009-01-31January 31, 2009	3	5:00	Las Vegas, Nevada, United States	Original win (Split Decision); changed after Parisyan tests positive for banned painkillers in post-fight drug test.
Loss	18–5	Thiago Alves	TKO (strikes)	UFC Fight Night 13	02008-04-02April 2, 2008	2	0:34	Broomfield, Colorado, United States
Win	18–4	Ryo Chonan	Decision (unanimous)	UFC 78	02007-11-17November 17, 2007	3	5:00	Newark, New Jersey, United States
Win	17–4	Josh Burkman	Decision (unanimous)	UFC 71	02007-05-26May 26, 2007	3	5:00	Las Vegas, Nevada, United States
Win	16–4	Drew Fickett	Decision (unanimous)	UFC Fight Night 7	02006-12-13December 13, 2006	3	5:00	San Diego, California, United States
Loss	15–4	Diego Sanchez	Decision (unanimous)	UFC Fight Night 6	02006-08-17August 17, 2006	3	5:00	Las Vegas, Nevada, United States	Fight of the Year (2006).
Win	15–3	Nick Thompson	Submission (strikes)	UFC 59	02006-04-15April 15, 2006	1	4:44	Anaheim, California, United States
Win	14–3	Matt Serra	Decision (unanimous)	UFC 53	02005-06-04June 4, 2005	3	5:00	Atlantic City, New Jersey, United States
Win	13–3	Chris Lytle	Decision (unanimous)	UFC 51	02005-02-05February 5, 2005	3	5:00	Las Vegas, Nevada, United States
Win	12–3	Nick Diaz	Decision (split)	UFC 49	02004-08-21August 21, 2004	3	5:00	Las Vegas, Nevada, United States
Win	11–3	Shonie Carter	Decision (unanimous)	WEC 10	02004-05-21May 21, 2004	3	5:00	Lemoore, California, United States	Won WEC Welterweight Championship.
Loss	10–3	Georges St-Pierre	Decision (unanimous)	UFC 46	02004-01-31January 31, 2004	3	5:00	Las Vegas, Nevada, United States
Win	10–2	Dave Strasser	Submission (kimura)	UFC 44	02003-09-26September 26, 2003	1	3:52	Las Vegas, Nevada, United States	UFC Debut
Win	9–2	Fernando Vasconcelos	Decision	KOTC 22	02003-03-23March 23, 2003	3	5:00	San Jacinto, California, United States
Win	8–2	Antonio McKee	Decision	UAGF 3	02003-02-15February 15, 2003	N/A	N/A	Hollywood, California, United States
Win	7–2	Darrell Smith	Submission	RSF 3	02001-03-30March 30, 2001	1	0:59	Belleville, Illinois, United States
Loss	6–2	Sean Sherk	TKO (corner stoppage)	RSF 2	02001-01-05January 5, 2001	1	16:20	Belleville, Illinois, United States
Loss	6–1	Sean Sherk	Decision	RSF 1	02000-10-10October 10, 2000	1	18:00	Belleville, Illinois, United States
Win	6–0	Guido Jennings	Submission (choke)	KK 16	01999-06-07June 7, 1999	1	6:33	California, United States
Win	5–0	Justin Bumphus	Submission	ESF	01999-05-15May 15, 1999	N/A	N/A	Corona, California, United States
Win	4–0	Scott Davis	Submission (armbar)	KK 14	01999-04-05April 5, 1999	1	2:16	Los Angeles, California, United States
Win	3–0	Jason Rittgers	Submission (armbar)	KK 14	01999-04-05April 5, 1999	1	1:58	Los Angeles, California, United States
Win	2–0	Zach McKinney	Submission (strikes)	KK 12	01999-02-01February 1, 1999	1	0:23	Los Angeles, California, United States
Win	1–0	Brian Warren	Submission (ankle lock)	KK 12	01999-02-01February 1, 1999	1	0:44	Los Angeles, California, United States	MMA Debut

See also[link]

• List of male mixed martial artists

References[link]

External links[link]

• Official website
• HyeFighters – Armenian Combat Sports Athletes
• UFC profile
• Legends Gym
• Professional MMA record for Karo Parisyan from Sherdog