History of Wado Ryu Karate-do

The "Wado" story officially began in May 1934 when Hironori Ohtsuka registered his own style of Karate, which he called "Wado Ryu" and was recognized as an independent style.

However, its origins were developed by Ohtsuka continuous study of all martial arts, formulating the "Wado" technique by combining his own innovations and natural movements found in the other martial arts.

The next few years witnessed Wado Ryu karate growing from strength to strength, new dojos was opening and karate was being taught at the Universities. Ohtsuka himself was becoming a recognised figure within the World of Martial Arts.

 

In 1963 a three-man team left Japan to spread Wado Karate in 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 became recognised worldwide for its true merits

By the early 1970s karate had become truly established worldwide. Ohtsuka continued to train and instruct in Japan , whilst a team of highly qualified Japanese Sensei's continued to spread the doctrines of Wado-Ryu Karate worldwide.

 

In 1980 Ohtsuka Meijin began to think about retirement as the head of Wado Karate and wanted Tatsuo Suzuki Sensei to succeed him as Grand Master. Suzuki Sensei declined saying that Ohtsuka's son should succeed him.

 

However other high level Wado Karateka was 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 Karate-ka broke away and formed their own association (Wado-Kai).

 

Ohtsuka Meijin formed Wado Ryu Karate-do Renmei on the first of April 1981

 

Ohtsuka Meijin continued to lead the World of Wado-Ryu Karate until the 20th November 1981 , when he finally decided to abdicate his possession as Grand Master of Wado-Ryu Karate and nominated his son Hironori Ohtsuka
2nd as his successor.

 

Wado Karate-do has been spread to many countries in the world, Japanese Instructors, Tatsuo Suzuki Sensei, Teruo Kono Sensei, Masafumi Shiomitsu Sensei, Hiroji Fukazawa Sensei, Kuniaki Sakagami Sensei and Yoshihiko Iwasaki Sensei have spread the art all over Europe and further.