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HIRONORI OHTSUKA 1892-1982Hironori Ohtsuka was born in Shimodate City, Ibaragi prefecture, Japan on the1st June 1892. He was the first son of Mr Tokujiro Ohtsuka, a doctor of medicine.

In April 1897, at the age of four young Ohtsuka started training in Jujitsu. His first teacher was Chojiro Ebashi Sensei, his mother’s uncle.

Young Hironori was from a warrior family, he recounted when he was very young his grandfather told him off for playing with a wound up wet towel, snapping it, it was the sound he objected to, as he said it was exactly the sound made when asword passes through a human body on the battlefield. He knew this as he himselfhad fought in one of the many bloody civil wars and told his grandson how when he faced his first ten opponents it was a blur of panic, of which he had little memory, but after that his mind was calm and he was able to observe his next opponents and deal with them accordingly.

In 1905, aged thirteen, he entered Shimozuma middle school where he studiedSHINDO YOSHIN RYU JU JITSU under Tatsusaburo Nakayama Sensei, who was aKendo instructor at the school for twenty years as well as an instructor of Jujitsu. At that time it was not unusual for a Kendo instructor to train in Jujitsu in order to obtain aBone-setters license. Tatsusaburo Nakayama got a license after training in Shindo Yoshin Ryu, but he was originally a student of JIKISHIN KAGE RYU swordsmanship, this may be one of the origins of the sword influenced movements of Wado Ryu Karate.

THE HISTORY OF SHINDO YOSHIN RYU JUJITSUYoshitoki Akiyama was the founder of Yoshin Ryu (lit. Willow Heart) Jujitsu.When he was young Akiyama went to Tientsin, a coastal town south of Peking, China, where he set up a practise of medicine and herbal prescription. During thisstay he studied Chinese techniques of resuscitation based on acupuncture from a Taoist mendicant named Huei-To. He learned a total of twenty eight methods ofresuscitation called in Japanese Kappo, as well as Atemi Waza, methods of strikingto vital points.Akiyama returned to Shikoku, Japan, where he took in students and taught his methods of “Shuhukaku Jutsu”. But his techniques were so violent, crude and limited in number thathis students quickly left him.Disillusioned he went on a one hundred day retreat to the Shinto Tenmangu monastery at Tsukushi to pray to the Tenjin of Dazaifu. During the bleak winter he meditated, trainedand tried to perfect his art. On his final day he noticed snow on top of a willow tree. From this experience he developed the key point of the Yoshin Ryu style. He noticed howThe Willow tree yielded to the elements of nature with a natural swaying movement thus avoiding any damage to the delicate branches. Larger, sturdier, unyielding trees had their branches ripped off by the weight of the snow. Out of this he developed the three hundred and three natural movements of the Yoshin Ryu style, which is easilyRecognised in modern day Wado Ryu Karate.The founder of Shindo Yoshin Ryu offshoot from the Yoshin Ryu main root wasDorin Matsuoka, who was also a Master of Jikishin-Kage Ryu school of swordsmanship. (His Yoshin Ryu teacher was Hidetoshi Tozuka)

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He was very active in the 1850s when Japan had a problem with an Internal war and had a great deal of practical fighting experience. He also trained in the official schoolof the Edo Bakufu which was called the Bakufu Kobusho. During peacetime theytrained in Jujitsu one day in ten, but the usual training was with sword and spear.

Matsuoka’s highest grade student was Ohtsuka Sensei’s teacher Tatsusaburo Nakayama.

Ohtsuka Sensei described his training in Jujitsu as pretty much the same as all the other Schools of Jujitsu at that time, but his son later explained that what was presented at the front of the school was not the same as what was practised behind closed doors.For example there was an element of swordsmanship practised as well as the Ura Waza, or ‘inside techniques’, the secret techniques of the Ryu. Shindo Yoshin Ryu included the kneeling defences, knife defences and sword defences known to modern Wado Ryu practitioners, as well as methods ofresuscitation and special techniques for grappling with lightly dressed opponents, with bare arms (where you cannot take hold of the jacket). Ohtsuka Sensei also said that his teacher, Nakayama Sensei had a particular interest in the striking arts of the Ryu and obviously passed this interest on to his studentsas at one time Ohtsuka Sensei felt sufficiently motivated in this area to consider travelling to Okinawato study Karate, but as was later to happen, Okinawa came to him.

In 1910, at the age of eighteen, Ohtsuka Sensei entered Waseda University to study commerce.He continued his study of Jujitsu throughout this period.In 1917 he started work at the Kawasaki bank and also expanded his martial arts experience exploringOther styles of Jujitsu, visiting many Dojos and exchanging techniques. In May 1919, aged twenty seven, Ohtsuka Sensei mastered ‘bone-setting’ techniques which he had learned from his Jujitsu training.

His real ambition was to become a full time Martial Artist, but his mother was opposed to this, so outOf respect for his mother he temporarily shelved his plan of action.

On his twenty ninth birthday, 1st June 1921, Ohtsuka Sensei was awarded his Shindo Yoshin RyuTeachers license by Nakayama Sensei and he was to become the fourth Headmaster of the Ryu.

Throughout his life Ohtsuka Sensei observed the attitude of the true Martial Artist. It is said that even in the street he was careful to take a corner wide, for fear of colliding with a potential opponent or enemy and would never tempt fate by walking under scaffolding.

INTRODUCTION TO KARATEIn June 1922 Gichin Funakoshi, an Okinawan Karate Master, was invited to mainland JapanTo demonstrate his Art and was later invited to extend his visit and stay at ‘Meisei Juku’ a houseFor Okinawan students. It was not long before Funikoshi started teaching Karate at ‘Meisei Juku’ in Tokyo.Ohtsuka Sensei heard about Funikoshi’s demonstration and went to visit him. In their first meetingthey discussed various aspects of the Martial Arts for many hours. Funikoshi agreed to accept Ohtsuka Sensei as his student and the lessons started the very same day. Ohtsuka Sensei was thirty years old at the time. He continued his training with Funakoshi for nine years. It was said at that time it tookThree years for a student to learn one kata, but Ohtsuka Sensei was such an accomplished Martial Artist that he studied all of the Katas Funikoshi brought with him from Okinawa in one year!

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Ohtsuka Sensei was dissatisfied with the explanations of some of the moves in the Katas and sought to further his understanding by also studying with Kenwa Mabuni, another Okinawan Master resident at that time. It is said that today’s Wado Ryu Katas in some ways resemble more closely the Katas of Mabuni Shitoryu line than those of the Funikoshi Shotokan line. Ohtsuka Sensei also studied with and befriended the maverick Karate master and fearless street fighter Choki Motobu. This charismatic Okinawan is reputed to have only practised and taught the Kata ‘Naihanchi’ and one school of thought suggest that Ohtsuka Sensei’s own interpretation of this kata is heavily influenced by Motobu’s version.

By 1924 Ohtsuka Sensei had developed a series of ‘Yakusoku Kumite’ (pre-arranged techniques) asWell as Idori No Kata, Tachi Ai No Kata and Shirahatori No Kata. In May of the same Ohtsuka Sensei and Funikoshi Sensei demonstrated Yakusoku Kumite in public for the first time.By 1925 Ohtsuka Sensei was firmly established as Funakoshi Sensei’s assistant instructor and acknowledged as a talented and formidable exponent of the Martial Art. A story from this period illustrates not only the relationship between the various Okinawan experts but also the skill attributed to Ohtsuka Sensei as a result of his rich Martial Arts background.The mischievous Motobu set up a test for Funikoshi and Ohtsuka escape the grip on sleeve and collar of a noted Judo expert. Funikoshi, the older man, tried without success, much to the amusement of Motobu. Ohtsuka rose to the challenge and because of his Jujitsu background had no difficult in dealing with the situation.

In 1928, three years after his mother’s death Ohtsuka Sensei resigned from the Kawasaki bank and set up a ‘bone-setting’ practise. His son, the present Grandmaster of Wado Ryu, speculated that if his father had continued with this business the family would be very wealthy today, but this was not to be.

Ohtsuka Sensei travelled around extensively, as assistant to Funakoshi Sensei or instructing on his own.A story in circulation recounts how when he was teaching in Shich-Tokudo, a student named Koura from Keio University, who was a third Dan in Kendo, for reasons unclear decided to face Ohtsuka Sensei with a razor sharp sword. The other students watched in horror as they knew that the chances were slim against a trained swordsman with a live blade. Ohtsuka Sensei watched calmly and as Koura made his move Ohtsuka Sensei swept him off his feet.

It is unclear exactly when or why Ohtsuka Sensei decided to split from Funikoshi Sensei. By this timehe had started to inject his own ideas and interpretations into his teaching. This did not go down well in some quarters and there may have been pressure put on senior members of Funikoshi Sensei’s group to squeeze Ohtsuka out. Whatever happened Funikoshi and Ohtsuka remained on good terms and were photographed together as late as 1935. The split may have occurred around 1930/31.

In May 1934 Wado Ryu Karate was recognised as an independent style, although it was then called ‘Dai Nippon Karate Do Do Shinko Club’. It was at this stage that Ohtsuka Sensei closed down his bone-settingpractise and became a full time Martial Arts Instructor.

In 1938 the Dai Nippon Butoku Kai awarded Ohtsuka Sensei the rank of ‘Renshi Go’ a high rank instructor and his style was registered as ‘Shi Shu Wado Ryu’

In 1939 Ohtsuka Sensei registered the name as Wado Ryu, alongside the other main styles, but in actual fact Wado Ryu was the first style of Karate to be officially named.

In 1942 Ohtsuka Sensei was awarded the rank of ‘Kyoshi Go’

At the end of the war the practise of Martial Arts was forbidden by the occupying Americans.

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Ohtsuka Sensei continued to practise in secret and finally in 1951 the ban was lifted.

Wado Ryu Karate continued to develop over the years and in 1965 senior instructors were sent abroad to spread Wado Ryu across the globe. Tatsuo Suzuki, Teruo Kono, Yutaka Toyama, Atsuo Yamashita and Masafumi Shiomitsu were sent to Europe to spread the word.

In 1966 Ohtsuka sensei was awarded the highest title possible, ‘Meijin’. The first man in history to receivethis great honour.

Hironori Ohtsuka 10th Dan, Saiko Shihan, Meijin, died at the age of ninety years on January 29th 1982 after a total of 86 years of Martial Arts training. In one of his last interviews he said of his own training, “I am still struggling to the top of a high mountain”.

Before he died he appointed as his successor his son Jiro, who out of respect took his father’s name, Hironori.

The true spirit, as fostered by this great man, continues today in the practitioners of pure Wado Ryu Karate Do, who aim to keep the spirit of pure Budo alive in their training.

Examples of Ohtsuka Sensei’s ‘Doka’ or poems of the Way;

“The skill of ‘Budo’ is ever changing, Consequently there is no limit for it”

“changing of the skill of martial arts is indeed unlimited. A life is the same, we never know what will happen to you in a moment We should resort to a temporary expedient”

“every day we have to anticipate and prepare for everything. This is my life’s practise.The way of life is the way of Budo, the way of Budo is the way of life”.

“The way to practise Martial Arts is not for fighting. Always look for your own innerpeace and harmony, search for it”.

Information from:Wado World MagazineFighting Arts InternationalWeaponless WarriorsConversations with Shiomitsu Sensei and Hironori Ohtsuka IIAnd my own notes

Tim Shaw

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A SHORT HISTORY OF ‘WADO’ RYU‘Wado’ Karate over the last 25 years has experienced considerable success. It has grown to be one of the most widely practised styles of Karate in the world.

Its profile is largely due to the committed and dedicated instruction from its team of Japanese Senseis, who in turn gained their inspiration from its founder Hironori Ohtsuka.

The ‘Wado’ story officially began in may 1934 when Hironori Ohtsuka registered his own style of Karate which he called ‘WADO RYU’ and was recognised 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 the natural movements found in other Martial Arts.

The full ‘Wado’ story began when Hironori Ohtsuka was born on June 1st 1892. He was born in Shimodate City, Ibaragi, Japan, the first son of Dr Tokujiro Ohtsuka, a doctor of medicine. Ohtsuka was first introduced to the Martial Arts by his great uncle Chojiro Ebashi who began teaching Jujitsu. This marked the starting point of his lifelong fascination and obsession with the Martial Arts.

On 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 his style of Jujitsu. The essence of this art lays emphasis upon the nature and 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 without damage. Its self defence and preservation was based upon yielding to outside forces without damage. This study of movement impressed upon the young Ohtsuka the importance of natural flowing movements. These lessons play a large part in today’s ‘Wado’ Karate. In defence and attacking techniques The use of the opponent’s body weight and movement play an equally significant role in defeating your enemy as your own body movements.[Type a quote from the document or the summary of an interesting point. You can position the text box anywhere in the document. Use the Text Box Tools tab to change the formatting of the pull quote text box.]

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 this 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

Below H. Ohtsuka, aged 18

H.Ohtsuka age 15 at school, middle front row

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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 that year he 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 his mother and family he postponed his ambition, 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 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 his 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 Funikoshi had brought from Okinawa, although he found certain movements and techniques difficult to implement and understand. This lead Ohtsuka in his search for a deeper understanding of Karate to practise kata with Mabuni Sensei, the founder of Shito Ryu Karate.

In 1925 Ohtsuka’s mother died and he was left in a period of indecision about his career. After 3 years of deep philosophical thought, he left the Kawasaki Bank and set up a ‘bone setting’ practise similar to a small hospital. His prowess in the Martial Arts had led him to be at the Chief Instructor of Shindo Yoshin Ryu Jujitsu and an assistant instructor at Funikoshi 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 defence and attack, was missing. Ohtsuka Sensei meanwhile had been developing Yakusoko Kumite to compensate for the lack of attacking techniques. He thought there was need for a more fluid type of Karate and decided to leave Funakoshi Sensei to concentrate on developing his own style of Karate, ‘Wado’

H. Ohtsuka aged 31, receiving an award from Funakoshi Sensei.

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1934 proved to be a major year for Ohtsuka and ‘Wado’ Karate. On February 28th Ohtsuka II (who has recently become the leader of Wado Ryu Karate) was born. It’s 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 fulfilment 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 as 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 saw 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 II 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 II 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 championship 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 was about to engulf the world with its virtues. From such humble origins the potential of Wado-Ryu Karate became recognised worldwide for its true merits.

EUROPE Britain in particular became gripped with the spread of the Martial Art. After a demonstration at the Kendo club in London Tatsuo Suzuki Sensei was invited to stay and instruct British students in Wado-Ryu Karate. In 1964 Mr Tanabe was sent to England as an official delegate of the Japanese Karate Federation where he founded the All Britain Karate Association. This was the first Wado-Ryu organisation in Europe. At the same time Mr Mochizuki began to teach Wado-Ryu Karate in France. Other Wado-Ryu Karate instructors soon followed establishing Wado-Ryu all over Europe. In May 1965 Mr Kono and Mr Toyama were sent to West Germany where he became the national coach and Mr Kono came to England but later that year when Mr Shiomitsu came to England he moved to the Netherlands.

H. Ohtsuka, Funakoshi, Motubi, Mabuni

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Also in that year Mr Yamashita went to Italy where he became national coach. In 1966 Messrs Fujii, Ishikawa and Takahashi were sent to the Netherlands to assist Mr Kono and Messrs Takamizawa and Hayakawa came to England to assist Mr Suzuki. In the same year Mr Kojima was sent to Belgium, and the European Wado organisation was founded. In 1967 Mr Sakagami was sent to West Germany. In 1968 Mr Ohgami was sent to Sweden and Ohtsuka Sensei made his first trip to Europe where he taught in England, Holland, West Germany and Italy. The penetration continued in 1969 with Mr S Suzuki being sent to Ireland. Mr Sakata to West Germany, Mr Maeda to Switzerland, Mr Yoshioka to Italy and Mr Kobayashi to England. In 1970 Ohtsuka Sensei and his son Ohtsuka II, came to Europe to teach and demonstrate Wado-Ryu Karate and in 1972 Mr Igarashi and Mr Saito were sent to Spain.

AMERICAWhilst this was going on in Europe, across the Atlantic in America there was a similar story. Mr Patterson who had been studying Wado-Ryu Karate whilst he had been in Japan began teaching in Tennessee U.S.A in 1957. In 1963 Mr Ajari went to the U.S.A to teach and in 1968 Messrs Kurobane and Ohsaka went to different parts of the U.S.A both teaching Wado-Ryu Karate, these were followed by Mr Abe and Takizawa. In South America Messrs Suzuki, Takamats and Buyo began teaching in Brazil, and in 1970 Mr Hamilton moved to Canada where he began teaching Wado-Ryu Karate.

Left Suzuki Sensei

Right Kono Sensei

Left Sakagami Sensei

Right Shiomitsu Sensei

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Although some of these instructors have returned to Japan, their efforts in spreading the art of Wado-Ryu Karate is enormous and should never be forgotten.

Back in Japan in 1966 Ohtsuka Sensei was awarded the title “Kun Goto Suokuo Kyoku Jujitsu Shou” by the late Emperor Hirohito. 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 instructed in Japan, whilst a team of highly qualified Japanese Senseis continued to spread the doctrines of Wado-Ryu Karate worldwide.

1972 saw Ohtsuka Sensei historically awarded with an honour 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 Martial Artist in Karate (10th Dan) it was the greatest title possible and bestowed upon him great honour.

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 favour 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 (Wado-Kai).

Ohtsuka Meijin continued to lead the world of Wado-Ryu Karate until 20th November 1981, when he finally decided to abdicate his position as Grand Master of Wado-Ryu Karate and nominated his son Hironori Ohtsuka II as his successor. Hironori Ohtsuka peacefully passed away on the 19th January 1982, two months later. Throughout the entire world where Martial Arts are practised he will always be remembered for his enormous contribution and individual devotion to Wado Karate.

Seven years after the death of Ohtsuka Meijin and fifty-five years after the birth of Wado-Ryu Karate, 1989 will witness the two “Wado” Karate organisations coming together in the true spirit of Ohtsuka Meijin Wado Karate to participate in the first World Wado Karate Championship.

Hironori Ohtsuka Sensei with his wife after receiving the award.

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