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This
section is dedicated to the Professor Tatsuo Suzuki, our Sensei, and
spreader of the Wado Ryu in the world.
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Sensei Tatsuo Suzuki was born in Yokohama, Japan,
in 1928 and became interested in Karate at the age of 14 and within six years
of beginning his study of Karate, Sensei
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. 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
traveled with Ohtsuka Sensei both domestically and internationally performing
demonstrations and teaching at the Headquarters and in such places as Hawaii.
From 1956 to 1964 Sensei 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 1975 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.
In 1991 Sensei Suzuki took over from Ohtsuka Sensei in protecting the essence
of Wado Ryu and established the Wado International Karate-Do Federation (WIKF).
In addition to his accomplishments in Karate, Sensei 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.
Hironori Ohtsuka Sensei, the founder of Wado Ryu, rispected, more of all, the ability and the loyalty of
Tatsuo Suzuki Sensei. Before the Ohtsuka death, many discussions were kept
between the members and Hironori Ohtsuka Sensei, in particular with Eiichi Eriguchi Sensei (president of
the Wado Kai at that time). In this discussion Hironori Ohtsuka Sensei
said that he wanted Sensei Suzuki as successor of him.
Suzuki was doubtfully to accept this honour. asking
instead for Ohtsuka II°, the son of Hironori, as successor of Wado Ryu. However when Ohtsuka II° was
designed as successor, many troubles arose in America,
Europe, and Japan.
Many mismatch about kata and techniques came, and Suzuki Sensei tried to join
the organization that had many problems, due to the behaviour of the members,
whose happened when Suzuki Sensei left Japan. The
unsatisfaction and the know that time is no eternal, made to change road to
Suzuki Sensei, who wanted to continue the Ohtsuka Sensei's path. That was the
reason of the beginning of the Suzuki Sensei's Wado Ryu Karate-Do. Today he
is the unique man in the world, that has studied in
intense way with Ohtsuka Sensei, for many years.
Suzuki Sensei “Hanshi” is now the Chief Director of Wado International Karate
- Do Federation (WIKF).
WIKF is the organization of him, so he can continue the Essence of Wado Ryu
of Ohtsuka Sensei.
Today WIKF has 51 countries affiliated in the
world. Suzuki Sensei is faithfull to the man who teached him Ohtsuka Sensei.
Tatsuo Suzuki won't admit change to the style: the Wado Ryu of him, is
the original, as he had learnt, and he will teach up to he will be “Hanshi”.
SUZUKI
SENSEI PHOTOS BY ELENI LABIRI. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.
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