The Founder of Wadoryu Karate.
Ohtsuka Hironori (10th Dan) Meijin (1892-1982). The founder of Wado-ryu Karate.
Hironori-Ohtsuka was born in Shimodate City, Ibiragi, Japan on the 1st June 1892.
He was the first son of Tokujiro-Ohtsuka, who was a doctor of medicine. 1892 was also the year that the Dai-Nippon-Butoku-Kai was established.
He started training under Chojiro-Ebashi, an uncle of his mother, in April 1897 at the age of four, a style of training he would continue with, even at Waseda University in Tokyo In 1905 Ohtsuka-Hironori entered the Shimozuma middle school, where he started Shindo-Yoshin-ryu Ju-jutsu under Tatsusaburo-Nakayama.
In 1910 Ohtsuka-Hironori entered Waseda University to learn commerce.
In 1917 he started work at the Kawasaki Bank; at this stage he was learning numerous styles of Ju-jutsu. Ohtsuka-Hironori met, and became good friends, with the founder of Aikido, Morihei-Ueshiba.
In May 1919 he became Master of 'bone-setting technique'.
On the 1st of July 1921 he received his Shindo-Yoshin-ryu Ju-jutsu licence from Tatsusaburo-Nakayama, and so became the Highest Authority.
He started his Karate training with the famous Gichin-Funikoshi in July 1922, a style known as Shorinryu. Ohtsuka-Hironori met Funikoshi Sensei during a martial arts demonstration at the Sports Festival organised by the Japanese Educational Department. Funikoshi Sensei agreed to teach Ohtsuka-Hironori all he knew about Okinawan Karate-jutsu, the lessons started that same day. Within one year Ohtsuka-Hironori had studied all the Kata within the system.
Even after this time Ohtsuka-Hironori could see the 'shortfall' in the Kata-only system. It was explained to him that all of the concepts of 'Budo' was within Kata, and that was the only aspect to train.
In 1924 Ohtsuka-Hironori introduced Yakusoku-gumite to the system, this concept of 'partner-work' revolutionised Karate-jutsu. He also developed Idori-no-Kata, Tachiai-no-Kata, and Shirahatori-no-Kata.
In 1928 he was 'Shindo-Yoshin-ryu Shihan', the Chief Instructor of his Shindo-Yoshin-ryu, he also set up a 'bone-setting' practice at this time.
In 1929 he registered with the 'Nippon-Kobudo-Shinko-Kai', the Japanese Martial Arts Federation.
In 1934 Ohtsuka-Hironori was recognised as an independent style, and started teaching full-time. Due to his dedication to Karate he had to close his 'bone-setting' business.
In 1938 Ohtsuka-Hironori registered his new style as Shin-Shu-Wado-ryu. In 1939 all Karate styles were asked to register their systems with the 'Dai-Nippon-Butoku-Kai', Ohtsuka-Hironori named his style Wado-ryu. Other styles that registered were Goju-ryu, Shito-ryu, and Shoto-ryu (Shotokan-ryu).
In 1940 on May the 5th the 'All Styles Karate Demonstrations' took place at Butoku-Den in Kyoto. All the major styles took part, these included Goju-ryu, Keishi-Kempo, Nippon-Kempo-ryu, Shito-ryu, Shoto-ryu, and Wado-ryu.
In 1944 Ohtsuka-Hironori was promoted to Chief Instructor of all Karate under the Dai-Nippon-Butoku-kai.
In 1945 the Americans, at the end of the Second World War, disbanded all martial arts. In 1951 all martial arts were reinstated, after the signing of the American peace treaty with Japan.
In 1955 the first Karate tournament took place, organised by Ohtsuka-Hironori, it was called the 'First All Japan Wado-ryu Karate Championships'.
In 1964 'The All Japan Karate-do Federation' (JKF) was established. This same year Suzuki-Tatsuo, Arakawa-Toru, and Takashima-Hajime introduced Wado-ryu to Great Britain, Europe, and the United States of America.
In 1966 Ohtsuka-Hironori was awarded 'Kun-Goto-Soukuo-Kyo-Kuju-Jutsu-Sho' (similar to the OBE in Great Britain) from Emperor Hirohito for his dedication to Karate.
In 1972 he was awarded the title of Meijin from Higashino-Kunino-Miya (a member of the Japanese royal family) President of the International Martial Arts Federation the 'Kokusai-Budo-Renmei'.
Ohtsuka-Hironori was the first man in history to receive the highest honour in martial arts. For his services to Japanese martial arts, and to honour his new position as the highest Karate authority in Japan, he was awarded the Shiju-Hoosho medal from the Japanese Government, the only man in the history of Karate to be so honoured.
Hironori-Ohtsuka was born in Shimodate City, Ibiragi, Japan on the 1st June 1892.
He was the first son of Tokujiro-Ohtsuka, who was a doctor of medicine. 1892 was also the year that the Dai-Nippon-Butoku-Kai was established.
He started training under Chojiro-Ebashi, an uncle of his mother, in April 1897 at the age of four, a style of training he would continue with, even at Waseda University in Tokyo In 1905 Ohtsuka-Hironori entered the Shimozuma middle school, where he started Shindo-Yoshin-ryu Ju-jutsu under Tatsusaburo-Nakayama.
In 1910 Ohtsuka-Hironori entered Waseda University to learn commerce.
In 1917 he started work at the Kawasaki Bank; at this stage he was learning numerous styles of Ju-jutsu. Ohtsuka-Hironori met, and became good friends, with the founder of Aikido, Morihei-Ueshiba.
In May 1919 he became Master of 'bone-setting technique'.
On the 1st of July 1921 he received his Shindo-Yoshin-ryu Ju-jutsu licence from Tatsusaburo-Nakayama, and so became the Highest Authority.
He started his Karate training with the famous Gichin-Funikoshi in July 1922, a style known as Shorinryu. Ohtsuka-Hironori met Funikoshi Sensei during a martial arts demonstration at the Sports Festival organised by the Japanese Educational Department. Funikoshi Sensei agreed to teach Ohtsuka-Hironori all he knew about Okinawan Karate-jutsu, the lessons started that same day. Within one year Ohtsuka-Hironori had studied all the Kata within the system.
Even after this time Ohtsuka-Hironori could see the 'shortfall' in the Kata-only system. It was explained to him that all of the concepts of 'Budo' was within Kata, and that was the only aspect to train.
In 1924 Ohtsuka-Hironori introduced Yakusoku-gumite to the system, this concept of 'partner-work' revolutionised Karate-jutsu. He also developed Idori-no-Kata, Tachiai-no-Kata, and Shirahatori-no-Kata.
In 1928 he was 'Shindo-Yoshin-ryu Shihan', the Chief Instructor of his Shindo-Yoshin-ryu, he also set up a 'bone-setting' practice at this time.
In 1929 he registered with the 'Nippon-Kobudo-Shinko-Kai', the Japanese Martial Arts Federation.
In 1934 Ohtsuka-Hironori was recognised as an independent style, and started teaching full-time. Due to his dedication to Karate he had to close his 'bone-setting' business.
In 1938 Ohtsuka-Hironori registered his new style as Shin-Shu-Wado-ryu. In 1939 all Karate styles were asked to register their systems with the 'Dai-Nippon-Butoku-Kai', Ohtsuka-Hironori named his style Wado-ryu. Other styles that registered were Goju-ryu, Shito-ryu, and Shoto-ryu (Shotokan-ryu).
In 1940 on May the 5th the 'All Styles Karate Demonstrations' took place at Butoku-Den in Kyoto. All the major styles took part, these included Goju-ryu, Keishi-Kempo, Nippon-Kempo-ryu, Shito-ryu, Shoto-ryu, and Wado-ryu.
In 1944 Ohtsuka-Hironori was promoted to Chief Instructor of all Karate under the Dai-Nippon-Butoku-kai.
In 1945 the Americans, at the end of the Second World War, disbanded all martial arts. In 1951 all martial arts were reinstated, after the signing of the American peace treaty with Japan.
In 1955 the first Karate tournament took place, organised by Ohtsuka-Hironori, it was called the 'First All Japan Wado-ryu Karate Championships'.
In 1964 'The All Japan Karate-do Federation' (JKF) was established. This same year Suzuki-Tatsuo, Arakawa-Toru, and Takashima-Hajime introduced Wado-ryu to Great Britain, Europe, and the United States of America.
In 1966 Ohtsuka-Hironori was awarded 'Kun-Goto-Soukuo-Kyo-Kuju-Jutsu-Sho' (similar to the OBE in Great Britain) from Emperor Hirohito for his dedication to Karate.
In 1972 he was awarded the title of Meijin from Higashino-Kunino-Miya (a member of the Japanese royal family) President of the International Martial Arts Federation the 'Kokusai-Budo-Renmei'.
Ohtsuka-Hironori was the first man in history to receive the highest honour in martial arts. For his services to Japanese martial arts, and to honour his new position as the highest Karate authority in Japan, he was awarded the Shiju-Hoosho medal from the Japanese Government, the only man in the history of Karate to be so honoured.
The Last Course...
Gary Swift and Michael Rapley were two of the many that attended one of the last courses and gradings conducted in the UK by Ohtsuka Hironori Meijin (with Peter Shizuo Suzuki Shihan). Pictured, seated (cross-legged) right, Sensei Michael Rapley (now 6th Dan British Wadokai).
Below is an adaptation from an open letter written by Ohtsuka Hironori (10th Dan) Meijin to all Wado-ryu students, sent out two-years prior to his death, explaining the origins of Wado-ryu.
"At the age of five years old, I was in very poor health. It was then that I began my training in Ju-jutsu at the school of my uncle, Sensei Chojiro-Ebashi, the official martial arts instructor of the Tsuchiura Clan. Since this time I have trained continuously until my present age of eighty-eight years. For this, I can heartily thank the traditional Samurai education, which was both gentle and strict. I also thank and pray for my dear mother without whom I could never have succeeded in my deepest aims; I thank her sincerely for always being near.
On my thirtieth birthday, Master Nakayama, the third Grand Master of Shinto Yoshin-ryu Ju-jutsu, allowed me to learn the deepest and most secret doctrines of our school. It was then that I succeeded him as the fourth Grand Master.
Karate was becoming increasingly popular around this time, and I began to study its techniques from several eminent Okinawan Masters who had begun to teach in Tokyo. It occurred to me that there were many fine attributes in the Okinawan systems, and so decided to blend these with the finest elements of Shinto Yoshin-ryu Ju-jutsu to create a genuine and original Japanese martial art. Through this process I developed Kumite, Gyaku-nage, I-dori, Tachi-iai, Tanken-dori, and Shinken-Shirai-dori.
Every year, for purposes of promoting the Japanese Martial Arts, the Butokuden in Kyoto held a national festival. In 1938, the festival focused on the originators of each martial art, however, no originator of Japanese Karate had been identified. I named the originator of the first true Japanese style of Karate-do as Shiro-Yoshitoki-Akiyama (the founder of Shinto Yoshin-ryu Jujitsu) and named this new style of Karate-do, 'Wado-ryu' meaning: 'Japanese-way school' or also 'Peaceful-way school' since the kanji lettering for 'Wa' can mean both.
The fundamental meaning and original aims of martial arts is the promotion of peace. To bring peace to society and to guard against its loss so that human beings can enjoy a happy life. We must strive for peace in a world where it is increasingly difficult to achieve. We must not simply rely on God's mercy to achieve it but must strive as individuals, with all our will, to attain it. Immense spiritual and physical power is required so we will not surrender to the difficulties and barriers which lie before us on this journey. The hard training in martial arts aims to foster this dauntless, indefatigable strength which is why the beauty of martial arts training is beyond the vicissitudes of mundane affairs."
Ohtsuka Hironori (10th Dan) Meijin.
On the 29th of January 1982 Ohtsuka-Hironori Meijin died at the age 89, he had practised martial arts for 85 years.
"Buno-michi-wa Tada-aragoto-na-to-omohiso Wa-no-michi-kiwa-me Wa-o-motomu-michi: The way to practise martial arts is not for fighting. Always look for your own inner peace and harmony, search for it."
Ohtsuka-Hironori.ShizuoShizuo
Below is an adaptation from an open letter written by Ohtsuka Hironori (10th Dan) Meijin to all Wado-ryu students, sent out two-years prior to his death, explaining the origins of Wado-ryu.
"At the age of five years old, I was in very poor health. It was then that I began my training in Ju-jutsu at the school of my uncle, Sensei Chojiro-Ebashi, the official martial arts instructor of the Tsuchiura Clan. Since this time I have trained continuously until my present age of eighty-eight years. For this, I can heartily thank the traditional Samurai education, which was both gentle and strict. I also thank and pray for my dear mother without whom I could never have succeeded in my deepest aims; I thank her sincerely for always being near.
On my thirtieth birthday, Master Nakayama, the third Grand Master of Shinto Yoshin-ryu Ju-jutsu, allowed me to learn the deepest and most secret doctrines of our school. It was then that I succeeded him as the fourth Grand Master.
Karate was becoming increasingly popular around this time, and I began to study its techniques from several eminent Okinawan Masters who had begun to teach in Tokyo. It occurred to me that there were many fine attributes in the Okinawan systems, and so decided to blend these with the finest elements of Shinto Yoshin-ryu Ju-jutsu to create a genuine and original Japanese martial art. Through this process I developed Kumite, Gyaku-nage, I-dori, Tachi-iai, Tanken-dori, and Shinken-Shirai-dori.
Every year, for purposes of promoting the Japanese Martial Arts, the Butokuden in Kyoto held a national festival. In 1938, the festival focused on the originators of each martial art, however, no originator of Japanese Karate had been identified. I named the originator of the first true Japanese style of Karate-do as Shiro-Yoshitoki-Akiyama (the founder of Shinto Yoshin-ryu Jujitsu) and named this new style of Karate-do, 'Wado-ryu' meaning: 'Japanese-way school' or also 'Peaceful-way school' since the kanji lettering for 'Wa' can mean both.
The fundamental meaning and original aims of martial arts is the promotion of peace. To bring peace to society and to guard against its loss so that human beings can enjoy a happy life. We must strive for peace in a world where it is increasingly difficult to achieve. We must not simply rely on God's mercy to achieve it but must strive as individuals, with all our will, to attain it. Immense spiritual and physical power is required so we will not surrender to the difficulties and barriers which lie before us on this journey. The hard training in martial arts aims to foster this dauntless, indefatigable strength which is why the beauty of martial arts training is beyond the vicissitudes of mundane affairs."
Ohtsuka Hironori (10th Dan) Meijin.
On the 29th of January 1982 Ohtsuka-Hironori Meijin died at the age 89, he had practised martial arts for 85 years.
"Buno-michi-wa Tada-aragoto-na-to-omohiso Wa-no-michi-kiwa-me Wa-o-motomu-michi: The way to practise martial arts is not for fighting. Always look for your own inner peace and harmony, search for it."
Ohtsuka-Hironori.ShizuoShizuo
Shomei
The Signature of Ohtsuka Hironori Meijin.
The Inspiration of British Wadokai.
Suzuki Tatsuo (8th Dan) Hanshi.
Suzuki Sensei defends himself against 'attackers'; Wado legends, Tadayuki Maeda Sensei and Katsumi Kobayashi Sensei.
Professor Tatsuo Suzuki was born in Yokohama in 1928 and became interested in Karate at the age of 14 and within six years of beginning his study of Karate, Professor Suzuki was awarded his 3rd Dan at the age of 19.
In 1951 at the age of 24 he was awarded the then highest grade in Wado-Ryu, 5th Dan for his outstanding courage and ability.
At 45 he was awarded his 8th Dan and also in the same year was given the title of Hanshi (Master) by the International Budo Federation and was presented with a special silver cup by Higashi Kuni no Miya, the uncle of the late Emperor of Japan.
From 1945 to 1956 he received direct instruction from the founder of Wado Ryu, Hironori Ohtsuka Sensei at the Wado Ryu Headquarters. Thereafter, as Ohtsuka Sensei's most senior student, he travelled with Ohtsuka Sensei both domestically and internationally performing demonstrations and teaching at the Headquarters and in such places as Hawaii.
From 1956 to 1964 Master Suzuki founded the first Wado Federation in England and from his base in London he spread Wado Ryu throughout Europe. Overcoming many difficulties, he brought senior students from Japan, taught them how to be instructors and sent them to various European countries. Within just a few years Wado Ryu became the most popular style in Europe.
In 1991 Suzuki Sensei took over from Ohtsuka Sensei in protecting the essence of the original Wado Ryu and established the Wado International Karate-Do Federation (WIKF).
In addition to his accomplishments in Karate, Professor Suzuki is a 2nd Dan in Tenshin Koryu Bo-Jitsu (stick fighting) and a 1st Dan in Judo. He has also studied Zen doctrine with the high priests, the late Genpo Yamamoto and Soyen Nakagawa. Suzuki Sensei is also a member of the International Budo Academy (IBA) as an Associate Professor and has been award the title Doctor of Philosophy for his life long work and commitment to teaching Wado Ryu Karate.
Suzuki Sensei defends himself against 'attackers'; Wado legends, Tadayuki Maeda Sensei and Katsumi Kobayashi Sensei.
Professor Tatsuo Suzuki was born in Yokohama in 1928 and became interested in Karate at the age of 14 and within six years of beginning his study of Karate, Professor Suzuki was awarded his 3rd Dan at the age of 19.
In 1951 at the age of 24 he was awarded the then highest grade in Wado-Ryu, 5th Dan for his outstanding courage and ability.
At 45 he was awarded his 8th Dan and also in the same year was given the title of Hanshi (Master) by the International Budo Federation and was presented with a special silver cup by Higashi Kuni no Miya, the uncle of the late Emperor of Japan.
From 1945 to 1956 he received direct instruction from the founder of Wado Ryu, Hironori Ohtsuka Sensei at the Wado Ryu Headquarters. Thereafter, as Ohtsuka Sensei's most senior student, he travelled with Ohtsuka Sensei both domestically and internationally performing demonstrations and teaching at the Headquarters and in such places as Hawaii.
From 1956 to 1964 Master Suzuki founded the first Wado Federation in England and from his base in London he spread Wado Ryu throughout Europe. Overcoming many difficulties, he brought senior students from Japan, taught them how to be instructors and sent them to various European countries. Within just a few years Wado Ryu became the most popular style in Europe.
In 1991 Suzuki Sensei took over from Ohtsuka Sensei in protecting the essence of the original Wado Ryu and established the Wado International Karate-Do Federation (WIKF).
In addition to his accomplishments in Karate, Professor Suzuki is a 2nd Dan in Tenshin Koryu Bo-Jitsu (stick fighting) and a 1st Dan in Judo. He has also studied Zen doctrine with the high priests, the late Genpo Yamamoto and Soyen Nakagawa. Suzuki Sensei is also a member of the International Budo Academy (IBA) as an Associate Professor and has been award the title Doctor of Philosophy for his life long work and commitment to teaching Wado Ryu Karate.
Shomei
The Signature of Suzuki Tatsuo Hanshi.
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Tadayuki Maeda Sensei faces Katsumi Kobayashi Sensei
Maeda Sensei faces and prepares to attack.
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Katsumi Kobayashi Sensei strikes Shuto-Uchi against Tadayuki Maeda Sensei
Kobayashi Sensei strikes an effective and decisive counter-attack.
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 Kuzuo Sakura Sensei and Tatsuo Suzuki Sensei were the most senior Wado-Ryu instructors in the world and ‘legends’ of Ohtsuka Sensei's students. They were also very good friends until Sakura Sensei’s passing in 2002. Picture: Circa 1954.
Death of Sensei Kazuo Sakura Iwakuni Japan. One of the World's most Senior Wado Instructors, Kazuo Sakura died on the 28th of September 2002. |
 Ohtsuka Meijin 10th Dan with Suzuki Hanshi 8th Dan |
Makiwara Ohtsuka Hironori Meijin using Makiwara
Makiwara - 'Wound straw'. Traditionally made from rice-straw and bound together with rope or cord. Used as a Karate training aid for conditioning the striking areas of the hand and foot etc. Comes in many forms, either as a striking pad or as a straw-roll attached to a post or wall. Generally the wooden version is made from either Hanoi (Japanese cypress) or Sagi (Japanese Cedar), due to its elasticity and absorbency qualities.
An early (rare) photograph of Ohtsuka Hironori Meijin using a Makiwara (striking post) during his training. Later, during the progression of Wadoryu, makiwara and punching-bags were dropped as part of normal karate training practises to became more of a personal preference. Although Ohtsuka did not ban the practise of makiwara, as it was still a popular training aid to many karate-ka, he did not feel that it was an important essence within the development of modern Wadoryu. |
Tameshiwari Tatsuo Suzuki Hanshi demonstrating Tameshiwari
Tameshiwari is a demonstration of the potential of karate striking technique. Both makiwara and tameshiwari are no longer an integral part of normal training practises within the modern Wado Dojo, but has become an extra-curricular training routine.
Pictured: Tatsuo Suzuki Hanshi demonstrates maegeri against a wooden board, during a tameshiwari demonstration in his Dojo. Tameshi in fact means 'trial' or 'test' and Wari means 'break', so Tameshiwari is therefore 'test break'. This does suggest that there is some other benefit to this practice other than flashy showmanship after all 'boards don't hit back'. Tameshiwari is considered, by many, a physical and psychological necessity for Karate-ka and that it also possesses a spiritual (Zen)significance. Tameshiwari requires great concentration and focus and is as much, if not more, a mental as well as a physical effort. If one believes oneself of being capable of breaking an object then one can release one's entire physical energies into the act. Any mental reservations, such as being concerned of hitting something hard or what if the wood doesn't break will inhibit the maximum use of power and potential of the technique. The other argument for Tameshiwari is that the self-discipline required for such a strike is more a strike at one's self than the wood. The total commitment, concentration and absorption in the action is such that the Karate-ka's ego can be temporarily obliterated, he/she transcends their normal nature and momentarily enters the Zen world of nothingness. In this context Tameshiwari can provide 'enlightenment through a single blow' in what amounts to active Zen meditation. Repetative Conditioning
Suzuki Sensei training, with a makiwara in the background, demonstrating its popular use within many Wado Karate Dojo.
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