The Origin of Wado-Ryu Karate

Master Hironori Otsuka, the founder of Wado-Ryu, was born on June 1, 1892. He began his martial arts training at the age of six, practicing ju-jitsu under the instruction of his father. Several years later he began his formal training by enrolling in the Shinto-Yoshin school of ju-jitsu, which stressed kicking and striking techniques, in contrast to the throwing techniques of most ju-jitsu styles.

He studied in the school under Master Nakayama, for 16 years. At the age of 29 he was presented a certificate of “full proficiency” and accepted the mastership of the Shinto-Yoshin school of ju-jitsu. In 1922, Master Otsuka met Gichin Funakoshi, an Okinawan karate master who would later become known as the “The Founder of Modern Day Karate.” Master Funakoshi had been sent to Japan by a council of Okinawan karate masters in order to introduce karate to the Japanese. After witnessing an impressive demonstration by Master Funakoshi, Master Otsuka began studying this new art of karate with him.

After 1930, Master Otsuka went increasingly on his own, and in 1934 inaugurated his own style of karate by altering some of the Shotokan movements learned from Master Funakoshi, and incorporating some of the movement from the Shinto-Yoshin school. Master Otsuka created a style of karate with the major physical characteristics of speed, mobility, efficiency, and of course effectiveness. The ultimate goal of the style however, is to be a vehicle for developing harmony within oneself and with others.

In 1940, Master Otsuka finally devised the present name of the style, Wado-Ryu, which means “Way of Peace,” or “Way of Harmony.” In keeping of this he chose the dove and the fist as the symbol of his style (the dove representing peace and the fist representing strength). Master Otsuka believed that one's peaceful nature should be developed along with one's strength, and peaceful nature should be the controlling nature in the use of our martial skills.

On January 31, 1982, at the age of 89, Master Otsuka passed away. The inspiration of what he created, and the things that he stood for, still live on today as his teachings are continually passed on from instructors to student.

In the words of Master Otsuka:

“The difference between the impossible and the possible is one's will.”