Wado Ryu History

Master Hironori Ohtsuka 1892-1982

BRIEF HISTORY OF WADO-RYU KARATE

Master Hironori Ohtsuka, who was born 1st June 1892 in Shimohate City, Japan, founded Wado-Ryu. In 1905 Master Ohtsuka began his study of Shindo Yoshin Ryu Jujitsu under Tatsusaburo Makayama. By 1928 Master Ohtsuka was chief instructor of Shindo Yoshin Ryu.

In 1922 Master Ohtsuka began his study of Karate under Master Gichin Funakoshi. By 1928 he was the assistant instructor to Funakoshi Senseis Dojo.

In 1939 Master Ohtsuka registered the name Wado-Ryu for his own style of Karate.

Wado-Ryu combines the Karate techniques taught by Funakoshi with the influence of Motobus fighting methods and Mabunis way of performing the Kata. Wado also contains Jujitsus locks, throws and techniques of avoidance.

The uniqueness of Wado-Ryu is characterized by 3 major concepts:

Nagasu - the ability to deflect an attack without using harsh blocks.

Inasu - moving the body as a target out of the line of attack using a simultaneous defense/offense technique.

Noru - the ability to judge your counterattacks impact before your opponents attacking momentum has stopped.

In 1972 Ohtsuka was awarded Meijin, the highest title possible, the first man in history to receive this honour.

Master Hironori Ohtsuka died at the age of 90 on the 29th January 1982.

KATAS OF WADO RYU

Originally Wado had 16 Katas but in 1945, the Kata suparinpei was dropped from the syllabus. After the war, only 9 Kata remained, but now 15 Kata are practiced by many clubs throughout the UK. The 15 Kata registered in 1945 are:

Pinan Shodan, Nidan, Sandan, Yodan, Godan.

Ku Shanku, Nai Hanchi, Seishan, Chinto, Passai, Wanshu, Niseishi, Rohai, Jitte, Jion.

THE PINAN SERIES

The Pinan Kata were developed by Anko Itosu (1832-1916). Itosu learned the Kata Chaing Nan from a Chinese Martial Artist who lived in Okinawa, and later remodeled this into five basic katas calling them Pinan because he found the Chinese Chaing Nan too difficult to pronounce.

Pinan means peaceful mind, this is taken to mean that once the five Kata and their application are mastered, the Karateka wall be able to defend himself in most situations. Ohtsuka was taught these Katas by Gichin Funakoshi and Kenwa Mabuni.

KU SHANKU

Ku Shanku was the name of a Chinese public official who came to Okinawa in 1762. Tode Sakugawa (1733 - 1815) was taught Chinese Kempo by Kushanku and it, from Kushankus methods that Sakugawa devised this Kata.

This is one of the longest Katas and contains a wide variety of techniques. This Kata teaches body change, the ability to quickly adapt to changing situations and even the techniques of night fighting (very important in an age with no artificial light).

Ohtsuka was taught this Kata by Funakoshi and Mabuni.

NI HANCHI

The word Nifanchi means surreptitious steps or 24. It is said that Sokon Matsumura (1809-1901) brought this Kata back with him after a trip to China. Master Ohtsuke was taught this Kata by Chokki Motobu (1871-1944) who was one of the most feared fighters on the whole of Okinawa. Motobus version of this Kata contains grappling, throwing and striking vital points making this Kata the most deadly of them all. It is said that Motobu once broke one of his students legs while explaining the application of this form.

This is a very old Kata and no one is sure of its exact origin.

SEISHAN

This Kata is the oldest of them all and is said to have been introduced into Karate by Sokon Matsumura who was taught it while studying in China. Seishan means thirteen hands. This Kata emphasises close range self defence techniques, with the foot movement being used to get inside an opponents attack and destroy his stability.

In Wado-Ryu the first half of this Kata is performed with tension, this type of tension exercise is a proven way of gaining greater muscle control.

CHINTO

Chinto was the name of a shipwrecked sailor and martial artist who taught Matsumura Chinese Kempo, based on these methods Matsumura formulated this Kata. Practice of this form will develop stability and balance and teach many grappling and throwing techniques. Ohtsuka was taught this Kata by Gichin Funakoshi.

PASSAI

Passai means to "thrust asunder" or "storm a castle". This Kata originated in China and is one of the most popular Katas in history, being practiced by most of the Karate Masters of the classical era. Practice of this Kata will teach the Karateka the techniques of night fighting, grappling techniques and will develop into an advantage through a fast, strong and courageous response.

WANSHU

Wanshu was the name of a Chinese envoy who came to Okinawa in 1683. As well as his diplomatic duties, he also taught a small group Shaolin temple white crane fist boxing. Wanshu taught the importance of fighting using evasive foot movements and this reflected in the Kata he inspired. This Kata also contains the secret to taking an opponent off his feet and throwing him to the ground, because of this in Okinawa Wanshu is often referred as the "Dumping Kata".

ROHAI

Rohai is translated as Vision of a white heron. The name of the Kata reflects the large flowing arm movements that do resemble the movements of a herons wings This version of Rohai is not widely practiced in other styles. The one practiced in Wado-Ryu is the one taught by Kenwa Mabuni. This Kata is Chinese in origin and teaches the use of close range techniques, continuous rhythm, stability and accuracy.

NEISEISHI

Neiseishi means twenty four steps and was created by Ankichi Aragaki (1899-1927). With the exception of the Pinan series, this is the only Kata in Wado-Ryu of Okinawan origin, with the remainder coming from China. This Kata gives practice in grasping and countering techniques along with close range striking and blocking.

JITTE

Jitte means ten hands, this is taken to mean that if this Kata is mastered, it will give the Karateka the power of ten men. It is believed that this Kata was developed by monks in China.

JION

Jion means Temple Sound. Jion was the name of a temple in China and it is believed that this Kata was developed at the temple or by someone associated with it. The practice of the martial arts was strongly encouraged at the temple. Jion is a long physically demanding Kata and practice of this Kata will develop a strong body. The Kata contains techniques for dealing with both armed and unarmed opponents.

Karate, to the very end, should be

with Kata as the principle method

and sparring as a supporting method.

Gichin Funakoshi

At the moment most people that practice Kata have no idea of its real meaning, or the benefit that it brings. They practice Kata and Kumite as though they were two different things whereas of course Kumite starts with Kata and Kata starts with Kumite.

Takayuki Kubota