The Story of WADO RYU karate...

The "Wado" story officially began in May 1934 when Hironori Ohtsuka
registered his own style of Karate, which he called "Wado Ryu" and was
recognized as an independent style. However, its origins were developed by
Ohtsuka's continuous study of all martial arts, formulating the "Wado"
techniques by combining his own innovations and natural movements found in
the other martial arts. The full "Wado" story began on 1st June 1892 when
Hironori Ohtsuka was born. He was born in Shimodate City, Ibaragi, Japan, the
first son of Dr. Tokuiuro Ohtsuka, a Doctor of Medicine. Ohtsuka was first
introduced to the Martial Arts by his great uncle Chojiro Ebashi who began
teaching him Jujitsu. This marked the starting point of his life-long
fascination and obsession with the Martial Arts. On the 1st April 1897
Ohtsuka started school where he studied Shindo Yoshin Ryu Jujitsu, under the
supervision of Shinzaburo Nakayama Sensei, the third Grand Master of this
style of Jujitsu. The essence of this art lays emphasis upon the nature and
the grace of movement. It was originally inspired by Yoshitoki Akiyama Sensei
after observing how the willow tree laden with snow yielded to the elements
of nature, yet maintained its versatility and flexibility to outside forces
without damage. This study of movement impressed upon the young Ohtsuka the
importance of natural flowing movements. These lessons play a major part in
today's "Wado" karate. In defense and attacking techniques the use of the
opponent's body and weight and movement play an equally significant role in
defeating your enemy as your own body movements, Ohtsuka continued his
studies of Shindo Yoshin Ryu Jujitsu whilst at Waseda University from 1910 to
1917 reading commerce. Ohtsuka also studied different styles of Jujitsu,
experimenting between styles concentrating on their "positive quality".
During his period at University he was able to examine the techniques of most
Martial Arts. He developed and improved certain techniques of the existing
arts combining them with other "innovative" techniques. Whilst studying
Jujitsu, Ohtsuka learned a great deal about the body's "vital points" both
for attacking and healing purposes, he also studied the art of "bone
setting". In 1917 Ohtsuka joined the Kawasaki Bank, during the year he is
believed to have met Morihei Ueshiba Sensei, the founder of Aikido and this
began a deep founded influential friendship. After two years at the bank
Ohtsuka Sensei decided to become a full time Martial Artist. His mother,
however, opposed this, wishing her son to continue his career in banking. Out
of respect for this mother and family he postponed his ambitions, but
continued to study Jujitsu. Ohtsuka was awarded on 1st June 1920 the highest
degree of Shindo Yoshin Ryu Jujitsu, which allowed him to succeed his
master's position as fourth Grand Master. The 1922 sports festival in Tokyo
was to continue his obsession with all Martial Arts. For the first time
Ohtsuka was to encounter Karate. Gichin Funakoshi Sensei was invited by the
Japanese Education Department to demonstrate his style of Okinawan Karate
(Tode). Kano Sensei, a renowned Martial Arts Instructor, accepted that the
spirit behind karate was the same as Japanese Martial Arts, which served to
promote its message and style. Ohtsuka was impressed with this newly promoted
Martial Art. He visited Funakoshi Sensei on numerous occasions during his
stay, discussing techniques and other aspects of Karate. Funakoshi Sensei
prolonged his visit by invitation from the Japanese Education department. He
was "impressed" by Ohtsuka's enthusiasm and determination to understand
Karate and agreed to teach him all he knew about Karate. Within the space of
a year Ohtsuka Sensei had studied all the Katas that Funakoshi had brought
from Okinawa, although he found certain movements and techniques difficult to
implement and understand. This led Ohtsuka in his search for a deeper
understanding of Karate to practice Kata with Mabuni Sensei the founder of
Shuto-Ryu Karate. In 1925 Ohtsuka's mother died and he was left in a period
of indecision about his career. After three years of deep philosophical
thought, he left the Kawasaki Bank and set up a "bone setting" practice,
similar to a small hospital. His prowess in the Martial Arts had led him to
be the Chief Instructor of Shindo Yoshin Ryu Jujitsu and an assistant
instructor at Funakoshi Sensei's dojo. By the year 1929 Ohtsuka was a
registered member of the Japan Martial Arts Federation. At this time Okinawan
Karate only concentrated upon Kata, Ohtsuka thought that the full spirit of
Budo, which concentrates both upon defense and attack, was missing. Ohtsuka
Sensei meanwhile had been developing Yakusoko Kumite to compensate for the
lack of attacking techniques. He thought there was a need for a more fluid
type of Karate and decided to leave Funakoshi Sensei to concentrate on
developing his own style of Karate, "Wado". The year of 1934 proved to be a
major year for Ohtsuka and "Wado" Karate. On February 28th Ohtsuka the 2nd
was born. It is uncanny that during this year Wado-Ryu Karate was also "born"
and officially recognised to be an independent style. This recognition meant
a departure for Ohtsuka from his hospital and a fulfillment of his life's
ambition, to become a full time Martial Artist. In 1935 Karate received a
further promotion upon Kano Sensei's recommendation to be accepted as a
Martial Art, but at first only as an extension of Judo by the Japan Martial
Arts Federation. Ohtsuka Sensei's personalised style of Karate was officially
registered in 1938 after he was awarded the rank of "Renshi-go". He presented
a magnificent demonstration of "Wado" Karate for the Japan Martial Arts
Federation who were impressed with his style and commitment and successfully
acknowledged him as a high ranking instructor. The next year the Japan
Martial Arts Federation asked all the different styles of Karate to register
their names. Ohtsuka registered the name of "Wado-Ryu". Other styles to
register included Shotokan Ryu, Goju Ryu and Shito-Ryu. The next few years
witnessed Wado Ryu karate growing from strength to strength, new dojos were
opening and karate was being taught at the Universities. Ohtsuka himself was
becoming a recognised figure within the World of Martial Arts. In 1942 he was
awarded the title of Kyoshi-go. During that year a future great master Tatsuo
Suzuki began training in Wado-Ryu Karate. In 1943 Ohtsuka the 2nd began his
pursuits in the field of the Martial Arts. He began Kendo under the strict
instruction of an army officer called Miyata Sensei. In 1944 Ohtsuka Sensei
was appointed Japans Chief Karate instructor and in 1945 Ohtsuka the 2nd
began to receive expert instruction from his father. In 1947 Teruo Kono began
Karate but did not start training with Ohtsuka Sensei until 1951 and in 1955
the first all Japan Wado-Ryu Karate championships were held. Until the 1960s
Martial Arts and especially Wado-Ryu karate remained upon the small islands
of Japan. It was hardly recognised outside of the East. This was soon to
change. In 1963 a three-man team left Japan to conquer America and Europe.
The team was composed of Mr. Arakawa, Mr Takashima and Mr. T. Suzuki. The
impressions they left upon America and Europe were tremendous, Wado-Ryu
Karate became recognised worldwide for its true merits. Back in Japan in 1966
Ohtsuka Sensei was awarded the title "Kun Goto Suokuo Kyoku jujitsu Shou" by
the late Emperor Horohito. It was presented by the Emperor for his dedication
to the introduction and teaching of karate. By the early 1970s karate had
become truly established worldwide. Ohtsuka continued to train and instruct
in Japan, whilst a team of highly qualified Japanese Sensei's continued to
spread the doctrines of Wado-Ryu Karate worldwide. Ohtsuka Sensei in 1972 was
historically awarded with an honor never before bestowed upon any Karate
master, the president of the International Martial Arts Federation, a member
of the Japanese royal family, presented Ohtsuka with the title of "Meijin" -
the first excellent Marital Artist in Karate (10th Dan) it was the greatest
title possible and bestowed upon him. In 1980 Ohtsuka Meijin began to think
about retirement as the head of Wado Karate and wanted his son to succeed him
as Grand Master. However other high level Wado Karateka were not in favor of
this and wished for a different leader to be appointed. Although many
negotiations took place no agreement could be reached and some of these Wado
Karateka broke away and formed their own association. Ohtsuka Meijin
continued to lead the World of Wado-Ryu Karate until the 20th November 1981,
when he finally decided to abdicate his possession as Grand Master of
Wado-Ryu Karate and nominated his son Hironori Ohtsuka 2nd as his successor.
Hironori Ohtsuka Meijin peacefully passed away on 19th January 1982, two
months later. Throughout the entire world where Marital Arts are practiced he
will always be remembered for his enormous contribution and individual
devotion to Wado Karate.