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ABOUT WADO-RYU KARATE
The Wado-Ryu (Way of Peace) school of karate,
was founded in 1931 by the late Grand
Master Hironori Otsuka (1892-1982).
Otsuka Sensei was already an accomplished master
of JuJitsu, Shindo Yoshin Ryu, when Master
Gichin Funakoshi introduced karate in Tokyo, Japan. Master
Otsuka became interested in karate in 1922. By 1928, he was assistant
instructor to Funakoshi Sensei. In 1931 master Otsuka founded the
Wado-Ryu style of karate. In 1972, Otsuka Sensei was awarded the
title Shodai Karate-do meijin Judan (the greatest title
possible) from the Imperial Japanese family. This means first
generation karate master of the 10th dan; he was the first
Japanese (not Okinawan) to make a style of karate in the form of
Japanese budo, thus making it a true Japanese martial art. Master
Otsuka also received the Shiju Hooshu medal for his outstanding
contributions to sport from the government of Japan. He was the
only man ever in the history of karate to be so honored.
Originally, karate
was a method of unarmed self-defense developed in the Okinawan
Islands from various techniques introduced from mainland China,
as well as local innovations. Up until the late 19th century,
the various karate techniques were practiced and taught within
relatively small regions; i.e. a particular technique would be
taught in one village and never revealed to outsiders. After
1900, great interest was shown in teaching karate to larger groups
of the general public and certain karate experts developed distinct
'styles'.
Wado kai or ryu,
meaning the "way of peace and harmony", is one
of the four major styles of karate in Japan and perhaps the purest
form of karate-do (the way of the empty hands).
Wado-Ryu karate
is a fast, fluid style which emphasizes body movements in evasion.
It's highly characteristic nagashizuki exemplifies the style's
sophistication.
The aim of Wado
karate is not merely perfection of the physical techniques of
self-defense, but, the development of a mind that is tranquil
yet alive, able to react intuitively to any situation. In Wado,
as skill and knowledge are acquired through training and concentrated
effort, the student is expected to develop inner strength and
calmness of character, as well as the virtues of self-control,
respect for others, and true humility. Karate-do for Sensei Otsuka
is primarily a spiritual discipline.
Basic techniques
- punching, kicking, blocking, striking with open hand, joint
twisting, and trapping techniques - kata (a sequence of techniques
done in certain order against imaginary opponents), and prearranged
and free style sparring comprise the training foundation of this
style. Equally fundamental to Wado is taisabaki, body
shifting to avoid the full brunt of an attack, a technique derived
from Japanese swordsmanship. Kumite (sparring) is usually judged
on a point system; one referee and four corner judges determine
which techniques are given a point. In free sparring, there is
no contact allowed to the head, below the waist except for foot
sweeps, or to the spine; only light to medium contact is allowed
to the torso. Attacks to the head and torso can all score points
in a tournament, therefore, Wado karate-ka tend to fight with
explosive, close movements with an emphasis on well-controlled
techniques.
A
Message from the Otsuka Family
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