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| Also known as | Shinshu Wadoryu Karate-Jujutsu[a] |
|---|---|
| Date founded | 1929[b] or 1938[c][1]: 205 |
| Country of origin |  Japan |
| Founder | Hironori Ōtsuka |
| Arts taught | Karate |
| Ancestor arts | Karate (Shotokan,Shitō-ryū andMotobu-ryū),Jujutsu (Shindō Yōshin-ryū, other) |
| Descendant arts | Shaolin Nam Pai Chuan,[1]: 121 Sanjuro |
Wadō-ryū (和道流) is one of the four majorkarate styles[d] and was founded by Hironori Ōtsuka (1892–1982).[6][7] Ōtsuka was aMenkyo Kaiden licensedShindō Yōshin-ryū practitioner of Tatsusaburo Nakayama and a student ofYōshin-ryū prior to meeting the Okinawan karate masterGichin Funakoshi. After having learned from Funakoshi, and after their split, with Okinawan masters such asKenwa Mabuni andMotobu Chōki, Ōtsuka merged Shindō Yōshin-ryū with Okinawan karate. The result of Ōtsuka's efforts is Wadō-ryū Karate.[8]
As such, Wadō-ryū places emphasis on not only striking, buttai sabaki,joint locks andthrows. It has its origins withinShindō Yōshin-ryū jujitsu, as well asShotokan,Tomari-te andShito-Ryu karate.[9][10]: 40 [11][1]: 205
The nameWadō-ryū has three parts:Wa,dō, andryū.Wa means "harmony,"dō (same character astao) means "way," andryū means "school" or "style". Harmony should not be interpreted aspacifism; it is simply the acknowledgment that yielding is sometimes more effective than brute strength, which founds the art's mentality in fighting.[9][11][1]: 205 [8] Additionally, KanjiWa (和) used is also a Kanji forJapan, due to the influence of Japanese Jujutsu in Wadō-Ryū, meant in contrast to the other karate styles originating fromOkinawa.[12]
To the untrained observer, Wadō-ryū might look similar to other styles ofkarate, like its parent school ofShotokan. Most of the underlying principles, however, were derived fromShindō Yōshin-ryū, anatemi waza focused style ofJujutsu.[6][9] Indeed, from one point of view, Wadō-ryū might be considered a style ofJūjutsu rather than Karate.[citation needed]Hironori Ōtsuka embraced jujitsu and was its chief instructor for a time. When Ōtsuka first registered his school with theDai Nippon Butoku Kai in 1938, the style was called "Shinshu Wadō-ryū Karate-Jūjutsu," a name that reflects its hybrid character.[citation needed]
Additionally, there are noticeable differences in the katas compared to other styles such as Shōtōkan. Wadō-Ryū katas have a lighter, less powerful appearance and are economical in movement. Defensive techniques do not block an opponent’s attack, but rather redirect it.[citation needed]
Wado-ryu karatedo is characterised by evasion instead of meeting force with force, and by light, fast, and fluid body movement. The Wado-ryu stylist defends with parries and deflections with simultaneous counterattacks.
— David Jones[6]
Similar toShotokan Karate, Wadō-ryū employs linear striking, but forgoes with Shotokan's aggressive approach.[11][1]: 205 Instead, Wadō-ryū optstai sabaki (often incorrectly referred to as 'evasion') as its key principle. The Japanese term can be translated as "body-management," and refers to body manipulation so as to move the defender as well as the attacker out of harm's way. The way to achieve this is to 'move along' rather than to 'move against'—orharmony rather thanphysical strength.[1]: 205 [9] Using these principles, the energy of the attack is diverted and evaded, and then or simultaneously countered with joint-locking, throwing, or striking techniques. The technical execution is subject to the following principles:
Wadō-ryū is also characterised by a higher body position and stances than in other Karate styles.[15]
Modern karate competition tends to transform Wadō-ryū away from its roots towards a new generic karate that appeals more to the demands of both spectators and competitors.[8]
Ablock in Wadō may look much like a block in Goju/Uechi ryu, but they are executed from different perspectives.[citation needed]
While the core principles (at least with regard to the transmission of body mass into punches) of turning on the heel remain in Wadō, as it is the fastest way to push the hips in the direction of attack, the progression to the ball of the foot is a hallmark of the style.[citation needed]
Kata are predefined, specific patterns of movement that incorporate and encapsulate martial techniques, concepts, and applications.[16] Wadō-Ryū takes a different approach to kata training than other styles. Ōtsuka Hironori adopted the katas from Gichin Funakoshi, but used a different kanji for the term kata. In Wadō-Ryū, he replaced the meaning of original mold or template (Japanese 型) of the kata in Shōtōkan with the meaning of symbol (Japanese 形). This means that the practitioner should not always aim for the same form of a kata, but rather allow and even encourage changes to a kata due to the age and other individual characteristics of the karateka.[14]
In his 1977 book on Wadō-ryū (published in English in 1997), Ōtsuka declared only nine officialkata for Wadō-ryū:Pinan Nidan,Pinan Shodan,Pinan Sandan,Pinan Yodan,Pinan Godan,Kūshankū,Naihanchi,Seishan andChintō.[17][full citation needed] However, after his death, other organizations of the style have added other forms, such as unsu and kumpu. However, it can be said that all individual kata originate fromShuri-te.[citation needed]
As such, The exact movements of akata often vary from one organization to another, and even from one school to another within the same organization. The variations can range from significant deviations apparent to the untrained observer to very subtle minutiae.[citation needed]
Kata associated with Wadō-ryū include:
In addition to the solokata listed above, many Wadō-ryū schools also practice pairedkata, which reflects its jujutsu heritage.[11] These pairedkata are performed by two people (one as the attacker and one as the defender), demonstrating a range of self-defense techniques. The pairedkata of Wadō-ryū often vary from one organisation from another, because Ōtsuka did not standardise them. The pairedkata are:[citation needed]
In addition to the three pairedkata above, there are alsoGyakunage Kata (kata of throwing),Joshi Goshinjutsu (kata of women's self-defense),Kodokan Goshin Jutsu & some others, but they are not commonly taught.[citation needed]
Wadō-ryū uses a typical karate belt order to denote rank. The beginner commences at 9th or 10thkyū (depending on the organisation and school) and progresses to 1stkyū, then from 1st–5thdan for technical grades. The ranks of 6th–10thdan are honorary ranks. Although some other karate styles add stripes to their belt for thedan ranks, Wado-ryū practitioners tend not to follow that practice.[1]: 205
The rank at which Wado practitioners are first able to teach is usually 3rddan, but this depends on the organisation. Some Wado ryu organisations require completion of a special course in addition to attaining a certaindan rank.
Schools that use the same belt colour for multiplekyu ranks typically, although not necessarily, use stripes to indicate progress within that belt colour.
The founder of Wadō-ryū, Hironori Ōtsuka, was born on 1 June 1892 in Shimodate, Ibaraki Prefecture, Japan. In 1898, Ōtsuka began practicingkoryūjujutsu under Chojiro Ebashi. From 1905–1921, he studiedShindō Yōshin-ryū jujutsu under Tatsusaburo Nakayama.[26][27]: 68, 174 In 1922, he metGichin Funakoshi and began to train under him.[28][6][29] In 1924, Ōtsuka became one of the first students promoted to black belt in karate by Funakoshi. To broaden his knowledge of Karate, Ōtsuka also studied with other prominent masters such asKenwa Mabuni ofShitō-ryū andMotobu Chōki.[16]
By 1927, Ōtsuka had become an assistant instructor in Funakoshi's Shotokan school.[6] In 1929, Ōtsuka organised the first school karate club atTokyo University. Eiichi Eriguchi coined the term 'Wadō-ryū' in 1934.[30]
In 1938, Ōtsuka registered his style of karate with theDai Nippon Butoku Kai under the name of "Shinshu Wadoryu Karate-Jujutsu." Soon after, however, this was shortened to "Wadō-ryū" (和道流). In 1938, the Dai Nippon Butoku Kai awarded Ōtsuka the rank ofRenshi-Go, followed in 1942 by the rank ofKyoshi-Go. It was around this time that Tatsuo Suzuki, founder of the WIKF, began training in Wadō-ryū. In 1944, Ōtsuka was appointed Japan's Chief Karate Instructor.[citation needed] In 1946, Ōtsuka awarded Tatsuo Suzuki the rank of 2nddan.
Around 1950, Jiro Ōtsuka (the founder's second son) began training in Wadō-ryū while in his adolescent years. In 1951, Ōtsuka awardedTatsuo Suzuki the rank of 5thdan, the highest rank awarded in Wadō-ryū at that time. In 1952, the Wadō-ryū headquarters (honbu) was established at theMeiji University dojo inTokyo. In 1954, its name was changed toZen Nippon Karate Renmei (All Japan Karate Federation). In 1955, Ōtsuka published "Karatejutsu no Kenkyu," a book expounding his style of karate. In 1963, he dispatched Suzuki, along with Toru Arakawa and Hajimu Takashima, to spread Wadō-ryū around the world.
In 1964, theJapan Karate Federation (JKF) was established as a general organisation for all karate styles. Wadō-ryū joined this organisation as a major group. In 1965, Ōtsuka and Yoshiaki Ajari recorded onto film (which is now still available on two video tapes) much of the legacy of Wadō-ryū karate. The first video, "Wadō-ryū Karate Volume 1," consists of: in-depth history and recollections; demonstrations of the eightKihon No Tsuki body shifts; the first fiveKihon-Kumite; and thekataPinan 1–5,Kūshankū,Jion,Naihanchi, andSeishan. The second video, "Wadō-ryū Karate Volume 2," consists of: more history; thekataChintō,Niseishi,Rōhai,Wanshu, andJitte; as well asKihon-Kumite 6–10, along with application. In 1966, Ōtsuka was awarded theOrder of the Rising Sun, Fifth Class by EmperorHirohito for his dedication to the introduction and teaching of karate.[31] On 5 June 1967, the Wadō-ryū organisation changed its name to "Wadōkai."
In 1972, the President of Kokusai Budō Renmei, a member of the Japanese royal family, awarded Ōtsuka the title ofMeijin.[6][32] In 1975, Suzuki received his 8thdan, the highest grade ever given (at the time) by the Federation of All Japan Karate-dō Organisations, and was namedHanshi-Go by the uncle of Emperor Higashikuni.[citation needed]
In 1980, as the result of a conflict between Ōtsuka and the Wadōkai organisation over personal withdrawals from the organisation's bank accounts, he stepped down as head of the Wadōkai. Eiichi Eriguchi took over his place within that organisation. On 1 April 1981, Ōtsuka founded the "Wadōryū Karatedō Renmei." (Renmei means "group" or "federation.") After only a few months, he retired as head of this organisation. His son, Jiro Ōtsuka, took his place. On 29 January 1982, Hironori Ōtsuka died, and in 1983, Jiro Ōtsuka succeeded him as grandmaster of Wadō-ryū. The younger Ōtsuka changed his name to "Hironori Otsuka II" in honor of his late father. In 1989, Tatsuo Suzuki founded the third major Wadō-ryū organisation, "Wadō Kokusai" (Wadō International Karatedō Federation; WIKF). (Kokusai means "international.") In 2011 following Suzuki's death, Jon Wicks succeeded as the WIKF chief instructor. In 2015 following Jiro's death, his son Kazutaka succeeded him as grandmaster of Wadō-ryū, assuming the name "Hironori Otsuka III".
Wadō-ryū is spread between three independently-led organisations:Wadōkai, Wadō Kokusai and Wadō-ryū Karate-dō Renmei.
Wadō-ryū has been spread to many countries in the world, by both Japanese and non-Japanese students of Hironori Otsuka. Japanese Wadō-ryū stylistsTatsuo Suzuki,Teruo Kono,Masafumi Shiomitsu, H. Takashima,Naoki Ishikawa, Yoshihiko Iwasaki,Kuniaki Sakagami and many others spread the art inEurope.Yoshiaki Ajari,Masaru Shintani and Isaac Henry Jr. spread the art in the United States and Canada,[33][4]: 44 [34]: 32 Joaquim Gonçalves (fromPortugal) and many others have helped to spread the style in their respective countries. In 1968, Otsuka promotedCecil T. Patterson of the United States to 5thdan, and charged him with the creation of the United States Eastern Wado-Kai Federation (USEWF).[35]
Following the split between Otsuka and the Wado-Kai in 1980, Patterson and the USEWF (renamed: United States Eastern Wadō-ryū Karate Federation) remained with Otsuka. Following Patterson's death in 2002, his son John T. Patterson assumed the presidency of the USEWF. Patterson's organisation continues as an active member of the Wadō Ryū Karatedō Renmei. In the UK, Wadō-ryū has been cited as a key influence in the development of thehybrid martial artSanjuro.[citation needed]
The Federation of All Japan Karate-do Organizations recognises four main karate styles – Goju-ryu, Shito-ryu, Shotokan, and Wado-ryu – although there are more than 70 different styles, including Shorin-Ryu, Uechi-Ryu and Kyokushinkai.
Wado-ryu, Created by Hironori Otsuka in the 1930s, Wado-ryu is a synthesis of Shotokan karate and jujutsu. Wado-ryu, which means "the harmonious way style," combines the linear strikes of Shotokan with evasive maneuvers that involve slipping past attacks. Wado-ryu also focuses on sparring drills that are more complex than the simple block and counter drills of shotokan. These drills, which are called paired kata, include locks and throws reflecting the jujutsu heritage of Wado-ryu.
Wadō-Ryū as a style is very natural. Being relaxed is important and the stances are slightly higher compared to the other styles. Using lower stances requires certain kind of way of using power which might cause unnecessary tension.
Yoshiaki Ajari introduced Wado-ryu karate in Hayward, California.
WADO RYU Eugene Alexander Codrington Eugene Codrington's competition career began in 1974 when he became the AKA Champion.
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