'The Way is not meant as a way of fighting. It is a path on which you travel to find your own inner peace and harmony. It is yours to seek and find.'
- Ohtsuka Hironori
History
Hironori Ohtsuka founded Wado-Ryu, the 1st Japanese form of Karate in 1938. It was the result of many years of training in various forms of Japanese Jiu Jitsu and Okinawan Karate, as well as Aikido, developed into a single fluid, powerful, yet peaceful martial art. Wado-Ryu Karate is the Way of Peace and Harmony, and is practiced as a way of life by millions of people worldwide.
For such a relatively new and widely practiced martial art, details of its origin are either scarce or hotly debated. There is also plenty of speculation and rumor. I will give as factual an outline of the history as I am able. Also, I apologize beforehand if it seems that any part of this history is vague, which is a result of the lack of facts pertaining to that particular section. For a more comprehensive study of Karate, Wado-Ryu, and Ohtsuka-sensei, please refer to my Sources and Inspiration.
Ohtsuka began his martial arts training very young. His great uncle Chojiro Ebashi began teaching him Jiu Jitsu (alternately spelled jujutsu and jujitsu), a grappling oriented art beginning at the age of 3 or 4. He was later enrolled around age 5 or 6 in shindo yoshin-ryu jujutsu ('Sacred Willow Style' jujutsu) under Shinzaburo Nakayama-sensei. This form of Jiu Jitsu was founded by Katsunosuke Matsuoka, a student of Yoshin-ryu jujutsu ('Willow Style'), in the early to mid 1800s. Shindo Yoshin-ryu emphasizes grace and natural movement.
This study of natural flowing movement later played a major role in the development of Wado principles, along with Ohtsuka's training later in life under Morihei Ueshiba O'Sensei, founder of Aikido. The use of the opponent's momentum are as important in defeating him or her as your own movements. Also, Jiu Jitsu's orientation towards rugged practicality influenced Ohtsuka's modifications to the Karate techniques he would later learn.
The Jiu Jitsu community of that time generally retained many of the Samurai traditions and fighting arts from which Jiu Jitsu itself was derived. Shindo Yoshin Ryu Jiu Jitsu, for example, contained Kenjutsu influence and a heavier emphasis on striking than many other Jiu Jitsu forms. The Kenjutsu side was a definite influence on the body shifting and hand controlling techniques Ohtsuka later included in Wado-Ryu.
Ohtsuka continued his study of Jiu Jitsu for many years. During his period at Waseda University (from 1910-1917, where he earned his Associate's Degree in Economics) he experimented with various Jiu Jitsu styles to find their best qualities. Even this early on, Ohtsuka began evolving his techniques and principles.
According to many, on June 1st 1920 Ohtsuka was promoted to 4th Grandmaster of Shindo Yoshin Ryu Jiu Jitsu. This has been much debated, however. The 3rd grandmaster of Shindo Yoshin Ryu, Tatsuo Matsuoka (grandson of the art's founder), did not pass away until 1989, 7 years after Ohtsuka's death. Also, Ohtsuka's instructor, Nakayama, had previously branched off from the founder to begin his own style and lineage of Shindo Yoshin-ryu. It is also heavily debated as to how much or little of the actual shindo yoshin-ryu jujutsu curriculum was later adopted into Wado ryu. Also, Ohtsuka had, at some time during the early 1920s, been awarded a 'menkyo kaiden' certificate. This certification essentially meant he had gained full proficiency in the system. At the very least, Wado was heavily influenced by the shindo yoshin-ryu principles, and some of its waza (techniques).
Nonetheless, Ohtsuka's path as a budoka was set by this point, and would soon take its first fateful turn. He would soon meet the father of modern karate, Gichin Funakoshi. In the fall of 1922, Ohtsuka was giving thought to his future. Although his job at the bank appeared secure, he was not satisfied. He wanted to devote his life to his true passion, the martial arts. This interest was heightened even more when Ohtsuka found out that an Okinawan school teacher, Gichin Funakoshi, was invited by Crown Prince Hirohito to perform karate before the Emperor of Japan at a public hall in Tokyo. Ohtsuka attended the demonstration, and as a result became one of Funakoshi's 35 original Japanese students.
Because of the popularity gained by the demonstration, Funakoshi stayed in Japan. Ohtsuka was at Funakoshi's dojo nearly every night, absorbing the art. By 1924, he became chief assistant instructor. On April 24th, Ohtsuka was named among the first seven black belts in modern karate.
Funakoshi came to rely heavily on Ohtsuka. At 32, Ohtsuka's realized his dream of being a full time martial artist. However, he found Funakoshi's karate (later named Shotokan) lacking. He felt there was little sense behind the philosophies, the kata seemed to have no practical application, and the movements were too confined. Also, Funakoshi did not allow free sparring, leaving no way to truly test his karate. Therefore, while still assisting Funakoshi, Ohtsuka trained with other notable masters. These included Kenwa Mabuni, founder of Shito-Ryu Karate, as well as Choki Motobu, famous for his excellent technical and fighting abilities, and Morihei Ueshiba, founder of Aikido.
Ueshiba O'Sensei helped Ohtsuka find the missing link, and officially begin the creation of Wado. Like Shindo Yoshin Ryu Jiu Jitsu, Aikido is a direct descendant of Aikijujutsu (a part of Samurai combative). The greatness of Aikido is in its reliance on natural movements, focusing on breathing, relaxation, and 'ki' (life force; breath; spirit). Whereas most karate tended to generate tension in performing techniques, Aikido was the opposite. Instead of meeting force of force, it blended with and redirected the opposing force or ki.
It was upon learning Aikido that Ohtsuka-sensei began to form a new budo, a Way of Harmony. He would eventually blend the basics of Funakoshi's karate, the practicality of Shindo Yoshin Ryu Jiu Jitsu, and the spirituality of Aikido, as well as the natural, evasive movements of the latter two. Much like the Jiu Jitsu influence on Ohtsuka-meijin's budo, Aikido had more influence on the principles from which techniques are derived, rather than the specific techniques themselves. Also, it would appear that Shito ryu Karate and Shindo Yoshin Ryu Jiu Jitsu had a much heavier influence on Wado than Aikido.
Ohtsuka gradually incorporated knowledge from Jiu Jitsu, Aikido, and the other karate sensei he trained with, into the classes Funakoshi-sensei had put him in charge of. This included free fighting, and weaving his newfound principles into the kata. While many students agreed with the changes being made, Funakoshi-sensei viewed them as contrary to his teachings. Due to their disagreements, it was in 1930 that Ohtsuka-sensei and Funakoshi-sensei finally parted ways.
Over the 4 years that followed, with help from students who also left Funakoshi's instruction, Ohtsuka continued his own teaching. Constantly developing his new budo, he focused on deriving practical defense from formal art. A major breakthrough was the idea of Kihon Kumite Kata, which became his greatest contribution to martial arts. In blending Jiu Jitsu, Aikido, and Karate, he created not only 36 new kata, but a new budo.
Ohtsuka-sensei created the All Japan Karate-do Research Organization (Dai Nippon Karatedo Shinko Kai) in 1934, after encouragement from many of his students. Also, his son Jiro (later known as Hironori Ohtsuka II), who would later become Ohtsuka's heir, was born that same year.
Four years later, the All Japan Classical Martial Arts Festival (Dai Nippon Kobudo Tai Kai) invited Ohtsuka-sensei to demonstrate his controversial new style. He was asked to name the style prior to the demonstration, and he registered it as Shin Shu Wado Ryu Karate-jujutsu - New Style Way of Harmony School. The year after, when Dai Nippon Butokukai requested all Japanese martial arts and their chief instructors register their names, Ohtsuka-sensei gave the name Wado-Ryu - Way of Peace and Harmony.
Ohtsuka-sensei continued teaching, and Wado-Ryu eventually became one of the most highly regarded Japanese martial arts. The 1st All Japan Wado-Ryu Karate championships were held in 1955. In 1963, Mr. Arakawa, Mr. Takashima, and Mr. Tatsao Suzuki left Japan to help spread Wado-Ryu Karate to Europe and America. Emperor Hirohito in 1966 awarded Ohtsuka-sensei with The Grand Order of the Rising Sun (Kyuokujitsusho). In 1972, the president of International Martial Arts Federation (Kokusai Budo Renmei) awarded Ohtsuka the title of 'meijin' (master), the first time a karateka had been given such an honor in Japan. Even now, many years after his death in 1982, people all over the world are still being affected in a positive way by Ohtsuka's Wado-Ryu Karate-do, which is his ultimate honor.
Lineage
Outlined here is a basic lineage. Any further worthwhile information is accepted and appreciated. Also be sure to read my brief history of Karate.
Sokon Matsumura
Student of Kong Su Kung/Kushanku and Sakugawa
Matsumura taught Okinawan Shuri-te which later became known as Shorin-Ryu. This form was a combination of Sakugawa's tode, and Kong Su Kung's Chinese Boxing.
Yasutsune Itosu
Student of Sokon Matsumura
Itosu-sensei continued Shorin-Ryu as it was originally taught by Matsumura-sensei.
Kanryo Higaonna
He practiced and taught the Naha-te style which became known as Shorei-Ryu (influenced directly by Zhao Long Liu, a Chinese martial art). After his death, Shorei-ryu was continued by Chojun Miyagi, who later formulated it into Goju-Ryu.
Kosanku Matsumora
He practiced and taught Tomari-te.
Other practitioners and styles at/around the time:
Hohan Sokan, founder of Matsumuro Seito
Chotoku Kyan, founder of Shobayashi-Ryu
Chosin Chibana, founder of Kobayashi-Ryu
Shosin Nagamine, founder of Matsubayashi-Ryu
Joen Nakazato, founder of Shorinji-Ryu
Kanbun Uechi, founder of Uechi-Ryu
Motubi-Ryu, a family style
Isshin-Ryu, founded by Tatsuo Shimabuku.
Toon-Ryu, founded by Juhatsu Kiyoda.
Shito-Ryu, founded by Kenwa Mabuni.
Okinawan Kempo, a combination of Shuri-te, Naha-te, and Tomari-te, founded by Shigeru Nalamura.
Gichin Funakoshi
Student of Yasutsune Itosu and Sokon Matsumura
The father of modern karate-do, Funakoshi-sensei founded Shotokan Karate-do in the 1920's after popularizing his martial art in Japan. He originally studied under not only Matsumura and Itosu-sensei but a number of other masters, whom Funakoshi talks about in detail in his Karate-do: My Way of Life.
Choki Motobu
Student of Soken Matsumura and Anko Itosu of Shuri, Kosaku Matsumora of Tomari, and possibly Tokumine. His teaching methods primarily consisted of Naihanchi kata for kihon (basics), and kumite. He stressed up-close fighting.
Hironori Ohtsuka
Student of Gichin Funakoshi. Founder of Wado-Ryu Karate-do, Ohtsuka-sensei developed the style as a blend of the basics and kata of Shotokan Karate, the rugged practicality and natural movements of Shindo Yoshin-ryu Jiu Jitsu, and the fluidity and peacefulness of Aikido. The Wado-Ryu symbol represents peace encompassing strength.
In the months leading to his retirement, he decided that his son was to succeed him as grandmaster of Wado-Ryu. However, some of the higher level Wado-Ryu Karateka were not in favor of this decision. Negotiations took place, but no agreement could be reached as to the next grandmaster. As a result, some of the karateka split off to form their own associations.
Hironori Ohtsuka II (Ohtsuka Jiro)
Son and Student of Hironori Ohtsuka. Months before his father's death, he and a group split from Japan Karate Federation-Wadokai. His split is named Wadoryu Renmei. It is regarded as a private group. In 1989 a new split occurred. Suzuki Tatsuo, resident in London, founded Inter-national Wadoryu Federation. The succession argument is the one most backed by Jiro as to the split.
Hironori Ohtsuka III
Grandson of Hironori Ohtsuka
Tatsao Suzuki
Senior Student of Hironori Ohtsuka, and Founder of International Wadoryu Federation. Suzuki sensei was one of the primary influences in spreading Wado throughout Europe. As a result, Wado is currently the most widely practiced form of karate in Britain.
Lineage of my personal Wado ryu:
Kiyohisa Hirano-soke
Student of Hironori Ohtsuka and Founder of Japan International Karate Center. Hirano-soke founded Heiwa-do, his interpretation of Wado-Ryu Karate-do. It also blends in ideas from Shotokan, Shito-Ryu, and Goju-Ryu, as well as Aikido, Iaido, and Judo. The basic strategy and philosophies are classical Wado-Ryu.
Shotokan's scientific approach to body physics helps students grasp instruction more easily. Shito's efficiency & superior stances are also adopted. Also integrated into the movements are Goju-Ryu's dynamic breathing methods.
The name Heiwa-do uses the first kanji (Japanese set of Chinese loanwords) of Hirano (Hira, or Hei) & the 1st character from Wado (Wa). The do in Heiwa-do translates to The Way. Heiwa-do's name was created out of respect for its origins in Wado-Ryu. Heiwa also happens to be the Japanese word for peace; therefore Heiwa-do literally means The Way of Peace.
Shihan Ronald Woodard
Student of Kiyohisa Hirano-soke & current shihan of JIKC. Shihan Woodard is the 1st JIKC instructor in continental US.
Sensei Dale Coker
Student of Shihan Ronald Woodard, Founder of Nippon Kokusai Karate Center, and Founder of Japan Karate Institute.
Sensei Curtis Boyd
Student of Sensei Dale Coker
Sensei Kevin Marshall
Student of Sensei Dale Coker
The above was excerpted from my free guide to karate, available as a free pdf ebook download - Understanding Karate-Do. I am the chief instructor of Johnston Karate.
"Understanding Karate" is also available as a professionally bound and printed trade paperback book, as well as a Kindle e-book over at our Understanding Karate-do store on Amazon.com. If you are a book store or school owner and would like to sell any of our books, visit the above page and scroll down to the "Bulk pricing" section.
- Ohtsuka Hironori
History
Hironori Ohtsuka founded Wado-Ryu, the 1st Japanese form of Karate in 1938. It was the result of many years of training in various forms of Japanese Jiu Jitsu and Okinawan Karate, as well as Aikido, developed into a single fluid, powerful, yet peaceful martial art. Wado-Ryu Karate is the Way of Peace and Harmony, and is practiced as a way of life by millions of people worldwide.
For such a relatively new and widely practiced martial art, details of its origin are either scarce or hotly debated. There is also plenty of speculation and rumor. I will give as factual an outline of the history as I am able. Also, I apologize beforehand if it seems that any part of this history is vague, which is a result of the lack of facts pertaining to that particular section. For a more comprehensive study of Karate, Wado-Ryu, and Ohtsuka-sensei, please refer to my Sources and Inspiration.
Ohtsuka began his martial arts training very young. His great uncle Chojiro Ebashi began teaching him Jiu Jitsu (alternately spelled jujutsu and jujitsu), a grappling oriented art beginning at the age of 3 or 4. He was later enrolled around age 5 or 6 in shindo yoshin-ryu jujutsu ('Sacred Willow Style' jujutsu) under Shinzaburo Nakayama-sensei. This form of Jiu Jitsu was founded by Katsunosuke Matsuoka, a student of Yoshin-ryu jujutsu ('Willow Style'), in the early to mid 1800s. Shindo Yoshin-ryu emphasizes grace and natural movement.
This study of natural flowing movement later played a major role in the development of Wado principles, along with Ohtsuka's training later in life under Morihei Ueshiba O'Sensei, founder of Aikido. The use of the opponent's momentum are as important in defeating him or her as your own movements. Also, Jiu Jitsu's orientation towards rugged practicality influenced Ohtsuka's modifications to the Karate techniques he would later learn.
The Jiu Jitsu community of that time generally retained many of the Samurai traditions and fighting arts from which Jiu Jitsu itself was derived. Shindo Yoshin Ryu Jiu Jitsu, for example, contained Kenjutsu influence and a heavier emphasis on striking than many other Jiu Jitsu forms. The Kenjutsu side was a definite influence on the body shifting and hand controlling techniques Ohtsuka later included in Wado-Ryu.
Ohtsuka continued his study of Jiu Jitsu for many years. During his period at Waseda University (from 1910-1917, where he earned his Associate's Degree in Economics) he experimented with various Jiu Jitsu styles to find their best qualities. Even this early on, Ohtsuka began evolving his techniques and principles.
According to many, on June 1st 1920 Ohtsuka was promoted to 4th Grandmaster of Shindo Yoshin Ryu Jiu Jitsu. This has been much debated, however. The 3rd grandmaster of Shindo Yoshin Ryu, Tatsuo Matsuoka (grandson of the art's founder), did not pass away until 1989, 7 years after Ohtsuka's death. Also, Ohtsuka's instructor, Nakayama, had previously branched off from the founder to begin his own style and lineage of Shindo Yoshin-ryu. It is also heavily debated as to how much or little of the actual shindo yoshin-ryu jujutsu curriculum was later adopted into Wado ryu. Also, Ohtsuka had, at some time during the early 1920s, been awarded a 'menkyo kaiden' certificate. This certification essentially meant he had gained full proficiency in the system. At the very least, Wado was heavily influenced by the shindo yoshin-ryu principles, and some of its waza (techniques).
Nonetheless, Ohtsuka's path as a budoka was set by this point, and would soon take its first fateful turn. He would soon meet the father of modern karate, Gichin Funakoshi. In the fall of 1922, Ohtsuka was giving thought to his future. Although his job at the bank appeared secure, he was not satisfied. He wanted to devote his life to his true passion, the martial arts. This interest was heightened even more when Ohtsuka found out that an Okinawan school teacher, Gichin Funakoshi, was invited by Crown Prince Hirohito to perform karate before the Emperor of Japan at a public hall in Tokyo. Ohtsuka attended the demonstration, and as a result became one of Funakoshi's 35 original Japanese students.
Because of the popularity gained by the demonstration, Funakoshi stayed in Japan. Ohtsuka was at Funakoshi's dojo nearly every night, absorbing the art. By 1924, he became chief assistant instructor. On April 24th, Ohtsuka was named among the first seven black belts in modern karate.
Funakoshi came to rely heavily on Ohtsuka. At 32, Ohtsuka's realized his dream of being a full time martial artist. However, he found Funakoshi's karate (later named Shotokan) lacking. He felt there was little sense behind the philosophies, the kata seemed to have no practical application, and the movements were too confined. Also, Funakoshi did not allow free sparring, leaving no way to truly test his karate. Therefore, while still assisting Funakoshi, Ohtsuka trained with other notable masters. These included Kenwa Mabuni, founder of Shito-Ryu Karate, as well as Choki Motobu, famous for his excellent technical and fighting abilities, and Morihei Ueshiba, founder of Aikido.
Ueshiba O'Sensei helped Ohtsuka find the missing link, and officially begin the creation of Wado. Like Shindo Yoshin Ryu Jiu Jitsu, Aikido is a direct descendant of Aikijujutsu (a part of Samurai combative). The greatness of Aikido is in its reliance on natural movements, focusing on breathing, relaxation, and 'ki' (life force; breath; spirit). Whereas most karate tended to generate tension in performing techniques, Aikido was the opposite. Instead of meeting force of force, it blended with and redirected the opposing force or ki.
It was upon learning Aikido that Ohtsuka-sensei began to form a new budo, a Way of Harmony. He would eventually blend the basics of Funakoshi's karate, the practicality of Shindo Yoshin Ryu Jiu Jitsu, and the spirituality of Aikido, as well as the natural, evasive movements of the latter two. Much like the Jiu Jitsu influence on Ohtsuka-meijin's budo, Aikido had more influence on the principles from which techniques are derived, rather than the specific techniques themselves. Also, it would appear that Shito ryu Karate and Shindo Yoshin Ryu Jiu Jitsu had a much heavier influence on Wado than Aikido.
Ohtsuka gradually incorporated knowledge from Jiu Jitsu, Aikido, and the other karate sensei he trained with, into the classes Funakoshi-sensei had put him in charge of. This included free fighting, and weaving his newfound principles into the kata. While many students agreed with the changes being made, Funakoshi-sensei viewed them as contrary to his teachings. Due to their disagreements, it was in 1930 that Ohtsuka-sensei and Funakoshi-sensei finally parted ways.
Over the 4 years that followed, with help from students who also left Funakoshi's instruction, Ohtsuka continued his own teaching. Constantly developing his new budo, he focused on deriving practical defense from formal art. A major breakthrough was the idea of Kihon Kumite Kata, which became his greatest contribution to martial arts. In blending Jiu Jitsu, Aikido, and Karate, he created not only 36 new kata, but a new budo.
Ohtsuka-sensei created the All Japan Karate-do Research Organization (Dai Nippon Karatedo Shinko Kai) in 1934, after encouragement from many of his students. Also, his son Jiro (later known as Hironori Ohtsuka II), who would later become Ohtsuka's heir, was born that same year.
Four years later, the All Japan Classical Martial Arts Festival (Dai Nippon Kobudo Tai Kai) invited Ohtsuka-sensei to demonstrate his controversial new style. He was asked to name the style prior to the demonstration, and he registered it as Shin Shu Wado Ryu Karate-jujutsu - New Style Way of Harmony School. The year after, when Dai Nippon Butokukai requested all Japanese martial arts and their chief instructors register their names, Ohtsuka-sensei gave the name Wado-Ryu - Way of Peace and Harmony.
Ohtsuka-sensei continued teaching, and Wado-Ryu eventually became one of the most highly regarded Japanese martial arts. The 1st All Japan Wado-Ryu Karate championships were held in 1955. In 1963, Mr. Arakawa, Mr. Takashima, and Mr. Tatsao Suzuki left Japan to help spread Wado-Ryu Karate to Europe and America. Emperor Hirohito in 1966 awarded Ohtsuka-sensei with The Grand Order of the Rising Sun (Kyuokujitsusho). In 1972, the president of International Martial Arts Federation (Kokusai Budo Renmei) awarded Ohtsuka the title of 'meijin' (master), the first time a karateka had been given such an honor in Japan. Even now, many years after his death in 1982, people all over the world are still being affected in a positive way by Ohtsuka's Wado-Ryu Karate-do, which is his ultimate honor.
Lineage
Outlined here is a basic lineage. Any further worthwhile information is accepted and appreciated. Also be sure to read my brief history of Karate.
Sokon Matsumura
Student of Kong Su Kung/Kushanku and Sakugawa
Matsumura taught Okinawan Shuri-te which later became known as Shorin-Ryu. This form was a combination of Sakugawa's tode, and Kong Su Kung's Chinese Boxing.
Yasutsune Itosu
Student of Sokon Matsumura
Itosu-sensei continued Shorin-Ryu as it was originally taught by Matsumura-sensei.
Kanryo Higaonna
He practiced and taught the Naha-te style which became known as Shorei-Ryu (influenced directly by Zhao Long Liu, a Chinese martial art). After his death, Shorei-ryu was continued by Chojun Miyagi, who later formulated it into Goju-Ryu.
Kosanku Matsumora
He practiced and taught Tomari-te.
Other practitioners and styles at/around the time:
Hohan Sokan, founder of Matsumuro Seito
Chotoku Kyan, founder of Shobayashi-Ryu
Chosin Chibana, founder of Kobayashi-Ryu
Shosin Nagamine, founder of Matsubayashi-Ryu
Joen Nakazato, founder of Shorinji-Ryu
Kanbun Uechi, founder of Uechi-Ryu
Motubi-Ryu, a family style
Isshin-Ryu, founded by Tatsuo Shimabuku.
Toon-Ryu, founded by Juhatsu Kiyoda.
Shito-Ryu, founded by Kenwa Mabuni.
Okinawan Kempo, a combination of Shuri-te, Naha-te, and Tomari-te, founded by Shigeru Nalamura.
Gichin Funakoshi
Student of Yasutsune Itosu and Sokon Matsumura
The father of modern karate-do, Funakoshi-sensei founded Shotokan Karate-do in the 1920's after popularizing his martial art in Japan. He originally studied under not only Matsumura and Itosu-sensei but a number of other masters, whom Funakoshi talks about in detail in his Karate-do: My Way of Life.
Choki Motobu
Student of Soken Matsumura and Anko Itosu of Shuri, Kosaku Matsumora of Tomari, and possibly Tokumine. His teaching methods primarily consisted of Naihanchi kata for kihon (basics), and kumite. He stressed up-close fighting.
Hironori Ohtsuka
Student of Gichin Funakoshi. Founder of Wado-Ryu Karate-do, Ohtsuka-sensei developed the style as a blend of the basics and kata of Shotokan Karate, the rugged practicality and natural movements of Shindo Yoshin-ryu Jiu Jitsu, and the fluidity and peacefulness of Aikido. The Wado-Ryu symbol represents peace encompassing strength.
In the months leading to his retirement, he decided that his son was to succeed him as grandmaster of Wado-Ryu. However, some of the higher level Wado-Ryu Karateka were not in favor of this decision. Negotiations took place, but no agreement could be reached as to the next grandmaster. As a result, some of the karateka split off to form their own associations.
Hironori Ohtsuka II (Ohtsuka Jiro)
Son and Student of Hironori Ohtsuka. Months before his father's death, he and a group split from Japan Karate Federation-Wadokai. His split is named Wadoryu Renmei. It is regarded as a private group. In 1989 a new split occurred. Suzuki Tatsuo, resident in London, founded Inter-national Wadoryu Federation. The succession argument is the one most backed by Jiro as to the split.
Hironori Ohtsuka III
Grandson of Hironori Ohtsuka
Tatsao Suzuki
Senior Student of Hironori Ohtsuka, and Founder of International Wadoryu Federation. Suzuki sensei was one of the primary influences in spreading Wado throughout Europe. As a result, Wado is currently the most widely practiced form of karate in Britain.
Lineage of my personal Wado ryu:
Kiyohisa Hirano-soke
Student of Hironori Ohtsuka and Founder of Japan International Karate Center. Hirano-soke founded Heiwa-do, his interpretation of Wado-Ryu Karate-do. It also blends in ideas from Shotokan, Shito-Ryu, and Goju-Ryu, as well as Aikido, Iaido, and Judo. The basic strategy and philosophies are classical Wado-Ryu.
Shotokan's scientific approach to body physics helps students grasp instruction more easily. Shito's efficiency & superior stances are also adopted. Also integrated into the movements are Goju-Ryu's dynamic breathing methods.
The name Heiwa-do uses the first kanji (Japanese set of Chinese loanwords) of Hirano (Hira, or Hei) & the 1st character from Wado (Wa). The do in Heiwa-do translates to The Way. Heiwa-do's name was created out of respect for its origins in Wado-Ryu. Heiwa also happens to be the Japanese word for peace; therefore Heiwa-do literally means The Way of Peace.
Shihan Ronald Woodard
Student of Kiyohisa Hirano-soke & current shihan of JIKC. Shihan Woodard is the 1st JIKC instructor in continental US.
Sensei Dale Coker
Student of Shihan Ronald Woodard, Founder of Nippon Kokusai Karate Center, and Founder of Japan Karate Institute.
Sensei Curtis Boyd
Student of Sensei Dale Coker
Sensei Kevin Marshall
Student of Sensei Dale Coker
The above was excerpted from my free guide to karate, available as a free pdf ebook download - Understanding Karate-Do. I am the chief instructor of Johnston Karate.
"Understanding Karate" is also available as a professionally bound and printed trade paperback book, as well as a Kindle e-book over at our Understanding Karate-do store on Amazon.com. If you are a book store or school owner and would like to sell any of our books, visit the above page and scroll down to the "Bulk pricing" section.
