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This
section explains when, how and why, Hironori Ohtsuka Sensei founded
Wado Ryu
Karate-Do......................
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The full
"Wado" story began on 1st June 1892 when Hironori
Ohtsuka was born. He was born in Shimodate
City, Ibaragi, Japan,
the first son of Dr. Tokuiuro Ohtsuka, a Doctor of Medicine. Ohtsuka was
first introduced to the Martial Arts by his great uncle Chojiro Ebashi who
began teaching him Jujitsu. This marked the starting point of his life-long
fascination and obsession with the Martial Arts.
On the 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 this style of Jujitsu. The essence
of this art lays emphasis upon the nature and the 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 to outside forces without damage. This study
of movement impressed upon the young Ohtsuka the importance of natural
flowing movements. These lessons play a major part in today's
"Wado" karate. In defense and attacking techniques the use of the
opponent's body and weight and movement play an equally significant role in
defeating your enemy as your own body movements.
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
his 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 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 the year he is believed to have 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 this mother and family
he postponed his ambitions, 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's 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.
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