| History: Hironori Ohtsuka (1892 - 1982) was the | | | | This is one of the main aims of the martial art which |
| founder of the Wado Ryu system of Karate. He | | | | emphasises the development of respect, discipline |
| commenced training in shindo yoshin ryu jujitsu at the | | | | and understanding in a mental as well as physical |
| age of 6, and at the age of 30, he began training | | | | capacity. This aim affects our attitude towards |
| under the supervision of Gichin Funakoshi (the | | | | ourselves and others in our home life, work and social |
| founder of Karate-do) before founding the Wado | | | | activities. To show aggression outwardly, even during |
| Ryu system in 1939. Wado Ryu is one of the 4 main | | | | training sessions, is greatly discouraged. The name |
| Japanese styles of Karate that are taught around the | | | | Wado Ryu, approximately translated, means "the |
| world. In 1939, Ohtsuka organised the All Japan | | | | peaceful way". Another characteristic of Wado Ryu is |
| Karate Do Federation Wado Ki and the Worldwide | | | | that unnecessarily large movements are kept to a |
| Headquarters for the Wado Ryu System. In 1967, he | | | | minimum. Importance is placed on the speed and |
| was the first katateka to be awarded the 5th order | | | | efficiency of movements with which each technique |
| of merit of the sacred treasure of the Emperor of | | | | is performed, rather than the strength or physical |
| Japan as an acknowledgement of his achievements. | | | | effort outwardly shown. Exponents of Wado Ryu |
| Following his death in 1982, Hironori Ohtsuka's son, | | | | place great emphasis on the coordination of body |
| Jiro, became the chief instructor of the Wado Ryu | | | | movement with each particular technique. This |
| system. Today, there are a number of senior, | | | | principle is found in many other martial arts, such as |
| well-respected representatives of Wado Ryu in | | | | ju-jitsu, aikido and kendo. This coordination is stressed |
| Japan, who are also leaders of their own federations | | | | at all stages of learning, from the execution of basic |
| or associations. Characteristics of Wado Ryu: To | | | | techniques to the application of advanced, |
| practitioners of Wado Ryu, the main philosophy is to | | | | free-fighting combinations. |
| better their attitude both within and outside the art. | | | | |