Wada Ryu
What is Wado Ryu?
Wado Ryu Karate is a mixture of traditional Karate infused with Ju-Jitsu. Developed when Hironori Ohtsuka, founder of Wado Ryu Karate-Do and at the time a Master in Shindo Yoshin Ryu Jujutsu, first came into direct contact with Okinawan Karate upon his introduction to Okinawan Master Gichin Funakoshi in 1922 - he parted ways with Funakoshi in 1935.
With a unique blend of strikes, throws, locks and close quarter combat, Wado Ryu offers a varied and extensive combat system which is highly effective if trained over a period. It also provides an excellent form of exercise for the casual student.
Wado Ryu was officially established by Hironori Ohtsuka in 1934 when Wado Ryu was recognised as a separate style of karate. Prior to his creation of Wado Ryu, Ohtsuka Sensei studied Shindo Yoshin Ryu Jujitsu under the tutelage of Shinzaburo Nakayama Sensei, the third Grand Master of his style. Ohtsuka Sensei's early career in Ju-Jitsu was a key influence in the development of Wado Ryu Karate.
Ohtsuka Sensei studied numerous forms of Ju-Jitsu and Martial Arts including Aikido - forming a lasting friendship with the founder of the discipline. He was introduced to Karate in 1922 upon meeting Gichin Funakoshi. Funakoshi Sensei and Ohtsuka Sensei worked and taught together while also collaborating with Mabuni Sensei - the founder of Shuto-Ryu Karate.
Okinawan Karate focused primarily upon Kata, and Ohtsuka Sensei felt that the full spirit of Budo - the art of both defense and attack - was missing. Ohtsuka Sensei had been developing Kumite and understood the need for fluidity in Karate and so left Funakoshi Sensei to concentrate on developing his own "Wado" style of Karate.
Upon recognition in 1934 and official acceptance as an established style of Karate, the popularity of Wado Ryu increased significantly and by 1945 Ohtsuka Sensei had been named as Japans Chief Karate Instructor. Shortly before this honour, future Grand Master Tatsuo Suzuki began training in Wado Ryu. In 1972 Ohtsuka Sensei was awarded with the title of "Meijin" - a title never before bestowed upon a Karate Master making him the first Excellent Marital Artist in Karate (10th Dan). It was the highest possible title and honour the Japanese Royal Family could award.
In the 1960s, a group of Senior Students, including Hanchi Tatsuo Suzuki, left Japan to introduce Wado Ryu to Europe and America. It was a huge success and by the 1970's exponents of Wado Ryu could be found all over the world. Its unique blend of Ju-Jitsu, Karate and their application through movement and knowledge of human anatomy has proven popular in both the East and West since its inception.
Upon the retirement of Ohtsuka Sensei in 1980, Hanchi Tatsuo Suzuki, who by this point had been training Wado Ryu Karate for nearly 40 years, succeeded him as the Grand Master of Wado Ryu. He had already been instrumental in establishing Wado Ryu as a global martial art and founded the first Wado Federation in England, but he continued to develop the style by adding Ohyo Kumite to the syllabus and bring senior students from Japan to grow Wado Ryu in Europe.
Under the instruction of Hanchi Suzuki and Senior Instructors such as Mr Sakagami and Peter Suzuki a European generation of Wado Ryu Karateka were trained and mentored. Some of these exponents of Wado Ryu include Sensei Phil Martin - the President of JNK - Ken Dicks and George Dillman who have continued the growth of the art and have been instrumental in passing on the knowledge, tradition and history of our truly unique art to future generations.
Wado Ryu is a traditional form of karate that combines elements of different martial arts, taken directly from some of the pioneers of numerous Japanese fighting styles. So, while an excellent way to keep fit and learn self-defence, it is also an opportunity to learn the life’s work of some of history’s greatest Martial Artists.