On the surface Wado-ryu looks very similar to other styles such as
Shotokan. However, there are some important differences.
It may be argued that Wado-ryu is a Jujutsu style rather than Okinawan
Karate. When first registered with the Japanese Dai-Nippon-Butoku-Kai in
1938 the style was called Shinshu Wadoryu Karate-Jujutsu, a name which
reflects the hybrid nature of Wado. Wado-ryu's founder Hironori Ohtsuka was
already a licensed practitioner in Shindo Yoshin Ryu and Yoshin Koryu
Jujutsu when he first met the Okinawan karate master Funakoshi. After having
received tutelage of not only Funakoshi but later also the Okinawan masters
Mabuni and Motobu, he set off to merge Shindo Yoshin Ryu with Okinawan
Karate.
The result of Ohtsuka's efforts is Wado-ryu. While its techniques may be
very much karate in looks, most of the underlying principles have been
derived from Shindo Yoshin Ryu. A block in Wado may look much like a block
in Shotokan, they are nevertheless performed from a completely different
perspective. A Shotokan practitioner is likely to force an incoming fist out
of the line of attack. A Wado expert, on the other hand, will rather move
himself out of the line of attack while taking up a position that will gain
him an advantage over the opponent. Both ways will look almost similar to
the untrained eye, but couldn't be further apart when considering the
tactics behind them. Key in Wado-ryu is the principle of taisabaki, often
wrongly referred to as evasion. The Japanese term can be translated as
body-management and refers to body manipulation so as to move the defender
as well as the attacker out of harm's way. The way to achieve this is to
move along rather than to move against. Or, harmony rather than strength.
Perhaps the nature of Wado is better understood when considering its
Jujutsu origins. In 17th century Japan, a young physician departed on a
journey to China. His name was Yoshitoki Akiyama. During his stay in China
he learned Chinese healing methods as well as Chinese fighting techniques.
After a while Akiyama returned to Japan and retreated in a monastery where
he devoted himself to meditation. During those days he also practiced and
perfected his technique. One snowy day during winter, Akiyama sat gazing at
a willow tree. It suddenly occurred to him that the willow tree, unlike some
other trees, didn't have any broken branches, despite the heavy snow. The
willow branches simply yielded and allowed the snow to fall off. Sturdier
trees with unyielding branches suffered much heavier from the elements of
nature. After this revelation he developed 303 techniques which became known
as Yoshin Ryu Jujutsu or Willow Heart Style. Yoshin Ryu later evolved into
Wado-Ryu but the fundamental yielding principles have still been preserved.
The term Wado-ryu can be broken into three parts: Wa, do and ryu. Wa can
be read to mean harmony. Do is a Japanese term for way. ryu simply means
style. Wa or harmony shouldn't be interpreted as pacifism in any way. It is
merely the acknowledgment that yielding is sometimes more effective than
brute strength.
However, modern karate competition tends to transform Wado-Ryu away from
its roots towards a new generic karate that appeals more to the demands of
both spectators and competitors.
From April 1st, 1981, after the split-up of Wadokai, Hironori Ohtsuka
sensei changed the name of his organization into Wado-Ryu Karatedo Renmei,
with Renmei meaning 'group' or 'federation'. After his death in 1982, his
son Jiro Ohtsuka continued the style under his leadership. He became the
second grandmaster of Wado Karate and honored his father by taking the name
Hironori Ohtsuka II.
A third major Wado organization, Wado Kokusai (Wado International Karate
Federation), was founded in 1989 by Tatsuo Suzuki Sensei.
On 1 June 1892 Founder Hironori Ohtsuka is born the second child of four
children to Dr. Tokujiro Otsuka, in Shimodate, Ibaraki Prefecture.
In 1898 Ohtsuka began practicing Jiujitsu.
Between 1905-1921 Ohtsuka trains Shindo Yoshin Ryu Jiujitsu under Tatsusaburo
Nakayama (1870-1933).
In 1922 Ohtsuka met an soon to be famous Okinawan named Gichin Funakoshi and
begins to train with him.
In 1924 Ohtsuka is one of the first students promoted to Black Belt in Karate by
Funakoshi.
In 1929 Ohtsuka organized the first school karate club at Tokyo University.
In 1934 Eiichi Eriguchi coins the term 'Wadoryu'.
In 1938 Hironori Ohtsuka registers his style of karate with the Dai-Nippon-Butoku-Kai,
originally under the name of "Shinshu Wadoryu Karate-Jujutsu". Not much later
this was shortened (simplified) to Wadoryu (和道流).
In 1938 The Dai-Nippon-Butoku-Kai awarded Ohtsuka the rank of Renshi-Go.
In 1942 The Dai-Nippon-Butoku-Kai awarded Ohtsuka the rank of Kyoshi-Go. Tatsuo
Suzuki, Founder of the WIKF, begins training Wado.
In 1944 Ohtsuka was appointed Japan's Chief Karate Instructor.
In 1946 Ohtsuka awards Tatsuo Suzuki 2nd Dan.
Circa 1950 Ohtsuka's second son Jiro Otsuka, begins training Wado around the age
of 15.
In 1951 Ohtsuka awards Tatsuo Suzuki 5th Dan, the highest rank awarded in Wado
at that time.
In 1952 a Wadoryu Honbu (headquarter) is established in the Meiji University
dojo in Tokyo, Japan.
In 1954 Its name was changed to Zen Nippon Karate Renmei (All Japan Karate
Federation)
In 1955 Ohtsuka published the book, Karatejutsu no Kenkyu.
In 1963 Ohtsuka dispatches Suzuki, along with Toru Arakawa and Hajimu Takashima
to spread Wado around the World.
In 1964 the Japan Karatedo Federation (JKF) is established as a general
organization for all karate styles. Wado joins this organization as a major
group.
In 1965 Ohtsuka along with Yoshiaki Ajari, record onto film, which is now still
available on two video tapes, much of his legacy of Wado Ryu Karate. The first
video, Wado Ryu Karate Volume 1, consists of: in-depth history and
recollections, demonstrations of the 8 Kihon No Tsuki body shifts, the first 5
Kihon Gumite, and the katas: Pinans 1-5, Kusanku, Jion, Naihanchi, Seisan. The
second video, Wado Ryu Karate Volume 2, consists of: more history, plus the
katas Chinto, Neseishi, Rohai, Wanshu, and Jutte, as well as Kihon Gumite 6-10,
along with application.
In 1966 Ohtsuka was awarded Kun Goto Soukuo Kyokujujitsu (comparable to a
knighthood) by Emperor Hirohito, for his dedication to the introduction and
teaching of karate.
On 5 June 1967, the Wado organization changes the name into Wadokai.
In 1972 the President of Kokusai Budo Renmei, a member of the Royal Family,
awarded Otsuka Sensei the title of Meijin, the highest possible title.
In 1975Tatsuo Suzuki receives his 8th Dan, the highest grade ever given by the
Federation of All Japan Karatedo Organization, and is named Hanshi-Go by the
Uncle of Emperor Higashikuni.
In 1980 as the result of a conflict between Hironori Ohtsuka and the Wadokai
organization, Ohtsuka steps down as head of Wadokai. Eiichi Eriguchi takes over
his place within Wadokai.
On 1 April 1981 Hironori Ohtsuka founds Wadoryu Karatedo Renmei. After only a
few months Hironori Otsuka retires as head of this organization. His son Jiro
Otsuka takes his place. Renmei means 'group' or 'federation'.
On 29 Januari 1982 Hironori Ohtsuka passes away in his 90th year.
In 1983 Jiro Ohtsuka succeeds his Father as grandmaster of Wado Ryu and changes
his name to Hironori Ohtsuka II, in honor of his father.
In 1989 Tatsuo Suzuki founds his own organization (WIKF), the third major Wado
organization: Wado Kokusai. Kokusai means 'international'.
A - C
Japan