History
Wado-Ryu
(Way of Peace and Harmony)
The
Wado Ryu style was created by Master Hironori Otsuka in the 1930’s but wasn’t
given its official name until 1940. He
died in 1982 the oldest practicing martial artist.
Just before his death, Master 
Otsuka
handed the Mastership of this style to his eldest son Jiro Otsuka who took his
father’s name at his death in honor of him.
The reason I mentioned this is Wado Ryu is one of the few martial arts
styles that still hands the mastership to the most deserving son to keep the
tradition, the style and the family strong.
Master
Otsuka, during his martial arts career, has earned several awards given to him
by Emperor Hirohito of Japan
.
The first was after WWII. Master
Otsuka was 53. He was still actively
teaching the martial arts, even though the US Military had taken over control
of Japan
(after their surrender in 1945) and put a ban on the martial arts practice because
of its war-like training. Master
Otsuka instead of closing up changed the school name to a boxing academy, even
though nothing different was being taught, because Americans know boxing as
a sport. It is all in the labeling.
The Emperor also bestowed upon him years later the title of Hanshi,
which made Otsuka the head of all martial arts in
Japan
.
Idori Kata #2 - Kneeling Defense
(Click to Enlarge)
He
held that title until his death. On
October
9, 1972 ,
the International Martial Arts Federation awarded Master Otsuka the JU-DAN (10th
degree black belt) in karate-do.
Master Otsuka created this style with the teachings he learned from a lot of
masters and their styles of martial arts.
The first was Shinto Yoshin Ryu Jujitsu created by Yoshitoki Aikiyama,
which not only stressed takedowns, joint locks, chokes and throws, but also
strikes and kicks. Master Otsuka
started this style at the age of 5. At
the age of 29, he became the 4th headmaster of the style.
Master Nakayama (the 3rd headmaster), bestowed the certificate
of mastery to Hironori Otsuka.
Idori
Kata #3 -
Kneeling Defense
(Click to Enlarge) |
In
1922, Master Otsuka met a man by the name of Gichin Funikoshi.
He is the founder and creator of the Shotokan style of karate.
He studied under Master Funikoshi for about 10 years.
He was among the first students of Master Funikoshi and also one
of the first karate practitioners in Japan to receive a black belt rank,
when the colored belt system was adopted by karate from Judo. |
Master Otsuka was at this time practicing and teaching jujitsu at his
jujitsu school as well as karate at a sister school for Funikoshi.
Though a difference of opinion in teaching styles led to a split between
Otsuka and Funikoshi, they remained friends.
Funikoshi thought Otsuka taught too much jujitsu and sparring at the
Shotokan
School
for Funikoshi.
Master
Otsuka, hungry for knowledge about kata, also studied with Kenwa Mabuni, the
founder and creator of Shito-Ryu.
Kenwa Mabuni was well respected for his mastery, knowledge, and teachings
of kata.
He was also a fan of sparring, unlike Funikoshi, so he and Otsuka probably
had a lot to talk about in this subject.
| Choki
Motobi, creator of Motobu-Ryu was a known bully who hung out in the red
light district and picked fights. He
was not interested in running a lot of kata, but did run one kata religiously,
“Niahanchi”. It is believed
Choki Motobi taught Niahanchi to Otsuka.
|
Idori
Kata #5 -
Kneeling Defense
(Click to Enlarge) |
He also taught Otsuka a lot about fighting
and street self-defense. For example,
to not only be defensive but offensive when confronted with a situation you
cannot get out of.
Also, to know when the attack is coming before it happens.
And finally, to always be alert and aware of your surroundings wherever
you are.
What is interesting about all of these styles and their masters is that they
all stem from the same style and Master, Okinawin Master Ankoh Itosu of the
Shuri-te style. It is interesting,
they are all from the same style, have the same teachings but have three different
interpretations.
Another prominent Master Otsuka
learned from was Morihei Ueshiba, the founder and creator of Aikido.
He
taught Otsuka about “Ki” (inner energy) and how to use it in every aspect of
life, not just martial arts training or self-defense. Also how important
it is to use your whole body in everything you do.
| |
Kihon
Kata #5 -
Finishing Move
(Click to Enlarge)
|
|
Out of all these teachings, Master Otsuka devised one of the most complete styles
out there. He combined the movement
and balance of Jujitsu with the blocks, strikes and punches of Karate.
He also believed that if you can control your opponent’s actions you
could control the fight. By doing
this, you may be able to get out of the fight without hurting your opponent
or your opponent hurting you. This
all is a part of Master Otsuka's belief in a relaxed mind and body. If you have
a relaxed mind and body, you can control your emotions and thusly control your
actions. If you are angry, you will be more likely to hurt someone unintentionally,
maybe even yourself. If you are calm, you will be more likely to try and defuse
the situation than get physical. If it does get physical and you stay calm,
you will be more likely to not want to hurt someone or get yourself hurt. Master
Otsuka was a very peaceful man hence the name of the style, Wado-Ryu (Way of
Peace and Harmony).
