Wado-Ryu was founded by Master Hironori Ohtsuka, who was born on the first of June 1892 in Shimohate city, Japan. In 1905 Master Ohtsuka began his study of Shindo Yoshin Ryu Jujutsu under Tatsusaburo Nakayama. By 1928 Master Ohtsuka was the chief instructor of Shindo Yoshin Ryu.
In 1922 Master Ohtsuka began his study of Karate under Master Gichin Funakoshi and by 1928 he was the assistant instructor to Funakoshi Sensei’s Dojo. Master Ohtsuka also studied under Choki Motobu and Kenwa Mabuni and in 1939, Master Ohtsuka registered the name Wado-Ryu for his own style of Karate.
Wado-Ryu combines the Karate techniques taught by Funakoshi with the influence of Motobu’s fighting methods and Mabuni’s way of performing the kata. Wado also contains JuJitsu’s locks, throws and techniques of avoidance.
In 1972 Ohtsuka was awarded Meijin, the highest title possible and the first man in history to receive this honour. Sadly, Master Ohtsuka died at the age of 89 on the 29th of January 1982, he left us with an excellent legacy to remember him by.
Kata consists of a pre-arranged series of movements designed to provide the student with a tool for practicing the basic karate techniques and combinations of techniques through repetition. All karate styles and schools are founded on the use of basic martial arts techniques. These techniques include punches, strikes, blocks, kicks, and other movements depending on the school and style. Most Karate schools teach Kata and include repetitive practice of them on a regular basis.
On April 1, 1934, Ōtsuka opened his own karate school the Dai Nippon Karate Shinko Kai at 63 Banchi Suehiro-Cho, Kanda, Tokyo. He blended Shotokan karate with his knowledge of Shindō Yōshin-ryū jujutsu to form Wadō-ryū karate, although the art would only later take on this name several years later.
Hironori Ōtsuka
Tatsuo Suzuki 8th Dan Hanshi (1928-2011). Principle Sensei of the European Wado-ryu and the Chief Instructor for the United Kingdom Karate-do Wado-Kai. Suzuki-Tatsuo was born in Yokohama, Japan on the 27th April 1928. At 10 years old the family moved to Ushigome, Tokyo. At 13 they moved to Hamamatsu, his father’s original hometown.
SUZUKI-TATSUO (8th Dan) HANSHI
