Wado Ryu Karate

There is not much written material in relation to Wado Ryu that a student can study and therefore it is up to the individual students to listen carefully to what they are instructed and to train hard. It is very important to remain as part of the original organization with direct links through qualified and knowledgeable instructors if you are to fully understand Wado Ryu karate Do. Wado Ryu of Japan Australia is very fortunate to be a member of the Wado Ryu Karate Do Academy under the guidance of Sensei SHIOMITSU, 9th Dan who provides us with invaluable guidance.

During one of his training visits to Australia Sensei SHIOMITSU was asked what is the philosophy of Wado Ryu to which he replied simply "Get sweat". He then elaborated by providing the explanation of the Wado Poem which goes like this : Ten, Chi, Jin, No Ri-Do Ni Wasuru.The kanji TEN means the sky, heaven and the air; CHI stands for the earth, the soil and the ground; JIN represents man, mankind and human beings; Ri-Do means the reason and truth and WA stands for the sum of the whole, peace and harmony. Taken all together it is clear that man is a part of nature and everything that he does is connected to nature which he must learn to live in harmony with if he is to achieve harmony and peace. Taken one step further then the true meaning of practicing Wado Ryu karate is to achieve a state of harmony with all things through the process of hard training in techniques which are both natural in movement and their application.

The Founder of Wado Ryu is attributed with the following writing; "When you practice Wado Ryu as a martial art, it not only means committing yourself to the way of Wado Ryu, but also committing yourself to a certain way of life, which includes hard training, overcoming obstacles in life and finding the way to lead a healthy and meaningful existence in the time you have on this planet. Through this way of life, you can reach the centre of WA and lead a life of wholeness."

Wado Ryu karate is practiced as a martial art and not as a sport. Modern times dictate that there is a sporting element attached to the practice of karate but a true student of Wado Ryu never loses sight of the fact that sport is sport and life is life. The difficulties faced in training parallel difficulties we face in life, if we give up because something is difficult then we give up on life itself. If we succeed in the dojo then move on to face the next challenge then we will continue forward in life. Success is not simply overcoming an opponent in the dojo because we should not be training to destroy others but to develop ourselves. Wado Ryu Karate Do is designed to make better people.

It is difficult to summarise what differentiates Wado Ryu Karate from other styles. The main difference is that in Wado Ryu karate there is no block of an attack as a means to itself, we try to hit and kick at the same time as our opponent attacks. To do this we use the principles of Nagashi Zuki, Tai Sabaki and also Nagasu, Inasu and Noru. The last three terms are important movements of Wado Ryu.

Sensei SHIOMITSU explained the last three terms as follows; NAGSU, means like a river running, you try to swim the same way as the river, so as the punch is coming your arm moves to the same way as the punch then that is called NAGASU. INASU is like when you make a bank at the side of the river, if you make a little bank then the water will change direction so, if you put a little friction and deflection with your arm then the punch will change direction, that is called INASU. NORU is to ride on top of your opponents strength, when you are attacked you ride on top of your opponents strength then punch, that is NORU.

Nagshi Zuki and Tai Sabaki are methods of moving your own body to minimize the amount of energy needed to deliver your attack and to ensure that you are moving out of danger from your opponents attack. These natural body movements and the concepts of NAGASU, INASU and NORU have their origins in the traditional budo approach to martial arts. Wado has as part of its origins elements of Shinto Yoshin Ryu Ju Jitsu and sword fighting techniques from Yaggyu Ryu Kenjutsu and Toda Ryu kodachi. These traditional budo style martial arts contribute greatly to the unique methods employed in the Wado Ryu system.Grandmaster Ohtsuka likened the flowing movement and flexibility of Wado Technique to being like a "ball of air".
He once said " defence and offence in martial arts work with the ways of nature. One's movements must be like a ball, uninterrupted and fluid. A ball's movement is smooth, it does not contradict or oppose the ways of nature. Techniques in martial arts must be flexible to change and other forces like a "ball of air". Regardless of the degree of smoothness a flow of movements must occur. A "ball of air" would move freely from other external forces, it moves in accordance to its environment. It can change its shape and form infinitely thus, its surfaces and limits change infinitely.
There is shape without shape, surface without surface and limit without limit. These changes are infinite. Like outer space, it is infinitely limitless. It is like the sky. This infinity embraces all things, and makes peace. In martial arts there is no such thing as the ultimate technique. Techniques must be infinitely changeable and altered, just like the sky and space."

In addition to the above concept of being fluid and adaptive there are three maxims to be observed;

Do not use unnecessary force
Do not make unnecessary movement
Do not use unnecessary techniques to achieve your effect.

Many of the physical techniques of Wado Ryu karate can be found in other styles it is the method of delivery and intent that makes the applications of these techniques a Wado Ryu technique. There are also elements of Ju Jitsu found in Wado that are not found other karate styles, joint locking and throwing techniques are fully incorporated into the Wado Ryu syllabus.

Wado-Ryu Karate is a Japanese martial art founded by Hironori Ohtsuka Sensei in 1924. Ohtsuka Sensei developed Wado-Ryu after studying the Samurai martial art of Jiu-jitsu, and Shotokan (another style of Karate). This combination, according to Ohtsuka Sensei, is a softer, more natural means of self-protection.

Ohtsuka Sensei started training in martial arts at the age of 6 years where he studied Shindo Yoshin Ryu jujitsu under Master Nakayama, 3rd head master of the style. In 1921, on his 29th birthday, Hironori Ohtsuka (Otsuka) was appointed as the 4th headmaster of Shindo Yoshin Ryu Jujitsu.

In 1922, Ohtsuka Sensei began studying karate under Gichin Funakoshi, the founder of Shotokan karate. In 1924 he was awarded his black belt in Shotokan.
By 1929 Ohtsuka was a registered member of the Japan Martial Arts Federation.
In 1940 Ohtsuka Sensei finally devised the name of his style, Wado-Ryu, meaning "The Way of Harmony".

The full name of the style is Wado-Ryu Karate-Do. Ohtsuka Sensei's original intention was to use training in Wado-Ryu as a means of solving problems in a non-violent way.
Ohtsuka Sensei received the highest award the Emperor of Japan can award, the "Hanashi" award in 1972. This award gave him the honor of being the president of the International Martial Arts Federation.

The Emperor of Japan presented Ohtsuka with the title of "Meijin"(10 th Dan) - the first marital artists in Karate to be bestowed with this award and was a great honour to him.
Meijin Ohtsuka passed away in 19th January 1982, when his son took over the style and remains the Grand Master of Wado-Ryu Karate to this day.

WA = Harmony; DO = Way; RYU = Style or School

Hironori Ohtsuka was born on 1st June 1892 in Shimodate City, Ibaragi, Japan. He was the first son, and the second of four children, of Dr. Tokujuro Ohtsuka, a Doctor of Medicine. Ohtsuka Sensei was first introduced to martial arts by his great uncle, Chojiro Ebashi, a samurai warrior, who began teaching him Jujitsu. This marked the starting point of his life-long fascination with the martial arts.
On the 1st April, 1897, Ohtsuka Sensei started school where he studied Shindo Yoshin Ryu Jujitsu, under the supervision of his father. Later, when he was 13, he studied the style under Shinzaburo Nakayama Sensei, the third Grand Master of this style of Jujitsu. Unlike the other schools of jujitsu at the time, Yoshin Ryu specialised in kicking and punching techniques in addition to throwing, twisting and locking techniques. Ohtsuka Sensei continued to study the style whilst at Waseda University from 1910 to 1917. He also studied different styles of Jujitsu, concentrating on their positive aspects. In doing so, Ohtsuka Sensei learned a great deal about the body's vital points for both attacking and healing purposes.
In 1922, Ohtsuka Sensei attended the sports festival in Tokoyo, where he encountered Karate taught by Gichin Funakoshi, a Karate instructor from Okinawa, and a man widely held as the "Father of Modern Karate". Ohtsuka Sensei was so impressed with this that he visited Funakoshi Sensei on numerous occasions during his stay. Funakoshi Sensei was, in turn, impressed by Ohtsuka's enthusiasm and determination to understand Karate and agreed to teach him all he knew about it. In the following years, Ohtsuka Sensei set up a medical practice dealing with martial arts injuries. His prowess in martial arts had led him to be the Chief Instructor of Shindo Yoshin Ryu Jujitsu at the age of just 30, and an assistant instructor at Funakoshi Sensei's dojo.
By 1929, Ohtsuka Sensei was a registered member of the Japan Martial Arts Federation. At this time, Okinawan Karate only concentrated on Kata, which is a set sequence of movements against an imaginary opponent (or group of opponents). Ohtsuka Sensei thought that the full spirit of Budo, which concentrates on defence and attack, was missing, and that kata techniques did not work in realistic fighting situations. He experimented with other, more combatative styles such as Judo, Kendo and Aikido. He blended the practical and useful elements of Okinawan karate with traditional Japanese martial-arts techniques from jujitsu and kendo, which lead to the birth of Kumite, or fighting, in Karate. Ohtsuka Sensei thought that there was a need for this more dynamic and fluid type of Karate to be taught, so he decided to leave Funakoshi Sensei to concentrate on developing his own style of Karate - Wado.
1934 proved to be a pivotal year for both Ohtsuka Sensei and Wado Karate. On February 28th, Ohtsuka the Second was born. During this year, Wado-Ryu Karate was also officially recognised as an independent style of Karate. This recognition meant a departure for Ohtsuka Sensei from his medical practice and the fulfilment of a life's ambition - to become a full-time martial artist.
Ohtsuka Sensei's personalised style of Karate was officially registered in 1938 after he was awarded the rank of "Renshi-go". He presented a magnificent demonstration of Wado Karate for the Japan Martial Arts Federation. They were so impressed with his style and commitment that they acknowledged him as a high-ranking instructor. The next year the Japan Martial Arts Federation asked all the different styles to register their names. Ohtsuka Sensei registered the name Wado-Ryu. The next few years witnessed Wado-Ryu Karate going from strength to strength. New dojos were opening and Karate was being taught at universities. Ohtsuka Sensei himself was becoming a recognised figure within the world of martial arts.
In 1944, Ohtsuka Sensei was appointed Japans Chief Karate Instructor. In 1945 Ohtsuka the second began to receive expert tuition from his father in Wado-Ryu Karate.
From this point until the 1960s, Wado-Ryu Karate remained on the three small islands of Japan. It was hardly recognised outside of the east. However, in 1963, a three man team left Japan to demonstrate Wado-Ryu Karate to America and Europe. The team was composed of Arakama Sensei, Takashima Sensei and Sukuzi Sensei. The impressions they left wherever they went were tremendous, and Wado-Ryu Karate soon became recognised world-wide.
During this time, Ohtsuka Sensei continued to train and instruct Wado-Ryu Karate in Japan. He was awarded the title "Kun Goto Suokuo Kyoku jujitsu Shuo" in 1966 by the late Emperor Horohito. It was presented by the Emperor for his dedication to the introduction and teaching of karate. This dedication led to the further, historic, award of "Meijin", or The First Excellent Martial Artist in Karate 10th Dan, in 1972. This was the first time that this award has been given to a practitioner of karate, and was the same status as that of Kyuzo Mifune in Judo and Hakuko Nakayama in Kendo. Ohtsuka Sensei continued to teach and lead the world of Wado-Ryu karate into the 1980s. Ohtsuka the Second became the second Grand Master of Wado-Ryu in 1982,

In Karate-Do, as with all traditional Japanese martial arts, exercise and training begin with and are concluded by a formal bow, either standing or sitting, depending on the circumstances. This formal bow is probably the most visible sign of the system of etiquette known in Japan as REIGI. It is fundamental both to the fighting systems and to the people of Japan, and yet is almost always misunderstood even by quite experienced and physically capable students of the martial arts.

The etiquette as manifested by the traditional bow and the reasons for which it is performed are as follows. When you bow, you not only show respect for your opponent and the training hall, but by gathering and controlling your inner power and by remaining calm and dignified in manner, you emanate an aura of quiet confidence and invulnerability that will allow you to influence those around you and exercise a degree of control over them. By understanding this, and developing it as an essential and not just a superficial part of the training program, the bow will become almost like a formal Karate stance in which you quickly take control of any situation you face while remaining ready to defend yourself without the need to be constantly tense.

This may seem to be no more than a ploy to unsettle an opponent in order to make him easier to defeat, or an attempt to upset his concentration and exert psychological pressure in order to gain an easy victory. While this does happen in modern sports, and has become almost a tradition in some, it is not true in the case of the martial arts, as there was, and often is, too much at stake to risk the outcome of physical combat on a trick. In fact we all have the instinctive ability, together with most other members of the animal kingdom, to recognize the leader of any group, whether we are a member of that group or not. He may not be the oldest, or the most experienced, but all recognize him as the leader and defer to him. Some people are born with this power, others have to acquire it; the serious study of Karate-Do is an excellent way of developing this ability, and at the same time building a strong healthy body and learning to defend yourself.

When you prepare to bow, this is the sort of force you must exert - a combination of confidence, strength of character, dignity and awareness. If you can do this successfully you will possess a powerful weapon, as your calmness will be communicated to those around you through your body language, and they will understand your latent strength and invulnerability. It was by the use of this force, and not through threats or violence or naked aggression, that the Samurai of Japan's past ages controlled large groups of people, keeping order when disorder was threatened, and arresting wrongdoers without even drawing their swords.

This power or ability must never be confused with aggression, which in my opinion is a negative emotion caused by fear, and is therefore counter-productive. It is also a sign of weakness, in that your opponent has instilled fear in you and you have reacted by becoming aggressive. He therefore gains a superior position, having discovered that he can exercise a degree of control over you. A dog that is frightened will growl and threaten, his hair will stand up, and he will present a fearsome appearance to his enemy. The courageous dog will attack without warning. Fear is unknown to him and he wisely does not want to lose the element of surprise.

Powerful positive action should never be mistaken for aggression, and aggression should never be taken for strength. When you understand this and have experienced it, you will realize the importance of etiquette, and why it's observance is insisted upon by all good instructors. This observance of etiquette includes addressing all black belt ranks as "Mr." or "Ms." during the class session.

1. If you are a student at a Dojo, always arrive before the class starts.

2. TACHI-REI (Standing Bow). Always bow upon entering and leaving the Dojo. Upon entering, bow first to the flag, then to the highest ranking black belt. Upon leaving, bow first to the highest ranking black belt, then to the flag. The flag is always first and last.

3. When it is time for the class to begin, if the Sensei (Instructor) is not present, then the senior adult student will start the class.

4. All students must follow the leader's instructions as if they were that of the Sensei.

5. During the session, students must work with a serious attitude and complete concentration. Therefore, laughing, talking, chewing gum or asking questions cannot be permitted except with special permission from the Sensei. Silence and seriousness during a session are two rules which must be followed if a high level of training is to be sustained. All black belt ranks are to be addressed as "Mr." or "Ms." during the class session. In addition, no jewelry or watches may be worn by the students during class.

6. Whether in lining up on command or in actual practice action, rapid movement is an essential part of the training. This habit of moving quickly and without wasted movement or effort will keep the class working smoothly and at a good pace. In addition, the student will acquire good working techniques.

7. A session is designated as a continuous half hour of work with a two minute break, unless given permission from the Sensei.

8. If a student must stop work, then he must raise his hand to report to the instructor and obtain permission.

9. Each student must report when temporarily discontinuing lessons.

10. Each student, purple belt or above, must report any anticipated absence to the head of the Dojo or to the trainers.

11. Senior System: No student should go directly to the Sensei with questions without first attempting to obtain the answers from the lower or senior students. If the student is a white belt, then he should ask a purple belt, and etc. Each student should, however, make every effort to learn the answer through continued practice, work, and observing other students. If a problem can be solved by the student himself in this way, through his own effort, the answer will become permanent knowledge and will not be forgotten. As a final resort, the Sensei should be consulted.

12. To practice hard is the motto of any Dojo, in order to master the techniques of true Karate.

13. Each student of Karate must thoroughly understand the "Code of Conduct", Tenets and Dojo Ethics.

14. The wearing of the Do-Gi (uniform) outside the Dojo is strictly prohibited. However, the Do-Gi may be worn at home during your private practice sessions.

KARATE--------------Begins with Courtesy
Disciplines the Mind and Body
Builds Character
Promotes Respect
Ends with COURTESY
and leads to Wa-No-Michi (Way of Peace)

MOKUTEKI -----------(Purpose)
The purpose of the Wado-Ryu System of Karate and the Federation of All Japan Karate-Do Organizations, at any Dojo affiliated with the Federation, is to teach the Japanese Martial Arts, its attitudes, traditions and culture, and to teach a way of harmony with the student, within the student, and around the student.

SONKEI -------------(Reverence)
Revere that which is Holy. Honor your Father and Mother. Respect your elders and other people's property and rights.

KANSHA -------------(Thankfulness)
Be thankful for all things: your life, friendship and love. Thankfulness will bring happiness.

SHUYO --------------(Discipline)
Discipline your mind and body so that you have absolute control over both of them. Only a disciplined person can achieve his goal.

MAKOTO -------------(Sincerity)
A person's character will be judged by his sincerity and integrity. Only a sincere person can be worthy of friendship.

TOITSU -------------(Unity)
Unity of one's mind and singleness of one's purpose are essential to success. Concentrate on one thing at a given time.

1. Rei
2. Yoi Heiku-dachi (feet apart one foot length, fists hanging naturally).
3. Turn counter-clockwise 90 degrees, using the hips for power, into hidari zenkutsu dachi and execute hidari gedan uke, right hand pulled back into hikite.
4. Step forward into migi zenkutsu dachi and execute migi junzuki at chudan level.
5. Turn clockwise 180 degrees, using the hips for power, into migi zenkutsu dachi with a migi gedan uke.
6. Step forward into hidari zenkutsu dachi and execute hidari junzuki at chudan level.
7. Turn counter-clockwise 90 degrees, using the hips for power, into hidari zenkutsu dachi and execute hidari gedan uke.
8. Step forward into migi zenkutsu dachi and execute migi jodan uke.
9. Step forward into hidari zenkutsu dachi and execute hidari jodan uke.
10. Step forward into migi zenkutsu dachi and execute migi jodan uke.
11. Turn counter-clockwise 270 degrees, using the hips for power, into hidari zenkutsu dachi and execute hidari gedan uke, right hand pulled back into hikite.
12. Step forward into migi zenkutsu dachi and execute migi junzuki at chudan level.
13. Turn clockwise 180 degrees, using the hips for power, into migi zenkutsu dachi with a migi gedan uke.
14. Step forward into hidari zenkutsu dachi and execute hidari junzuki at chudan level.
15. Turn counter-clockwise 90 degrees, using the hips for power, into hidari zenkutsu dachi and execute hidari gedan uke.
16. Step forward into migi zenkutsu dachi and execute migi junzuki at chudan level.
17. Step forward into hidari zenkutsu dachi and execute hidari junzuki at chudan level.
18. Step forward into migi zenkutsu dachi and execute migi junzuki at chudan level.
19. Turn counter-clockwise 270 degrees, using the hips for power, into hidari zenkutsu dachi and execute hidari gedan uke.
20. Step forward into migi zenkutsu dachi and execute migi junzuki at chudan level.
21. Turn clockwise 180 degrees, using the hips for power, into migi zenkutsu dachi with a migi gedan uke.
22. Step forward into hidari zenkutsu dachi and execute hidari junzuki at chudan level.
23. Yamei.
24. Naorei, into Musubi-dachi position.
25. Rei

1. Rei
2. Yoi Heiku-dachi (feet apart one foot length, fists hanging naturally).
3. Turn counter-clockwise 90 degrees, using the hips for power, into hidari zenkutsu dachi and execute hidari gedan uke, right hand pulled back into hikite.
4. Step forward into migi zenkutsu dachi and execute migi mae-geri and junzuki at chudan level.
5. Turn clockwise 180 degrees, using the hips for power, into migi zenkutsu dachi with a migi gedan uke.
6. Step forward into hidari zenkutsu dachi and execute hidari mae-geri and junzuki at chudan level.
7. Turn counter-clockwise 90 degrees, using the hips for power, into hidari zenkutsu dachi and execute hidari gedan uke.
8. Step forward into migi zenkutsu dachi and execute migi jodan uke.
9. Step forward into hidari zenkutsu dachi and execute hidari jodan uke.
10. Step forward into migi zenkutsu dachi and execute migi jodan uke.
11. Turn counter-clockwise 270 degrees, using the hips for power, into hidari zenkutsu dachi and execute hidari gedan uke, right hand pulled back into hikite.
12. Step forward into migi zenkutsu dachi and execute migi mae-geri and junzuki at chudan level.
13. Turn clockwise 180 degrees, using the hips for power, into migi zenkutsu dachi with a migi gedan uke.
14. Step forward into hidari zenkutsu dachi and execute hidari mae-geri and junzuki at chudan level.
15. Turn counter-clockwise 90 degrees, using the hips for power, into hidari zenkutsu dachi and execute hidari gedan uke.
16. Step forward into migi zenkutsu dachi and execute migi mae-geri and junzuki at chudan level.
17. Step forward into hidari zenkutsu dachi and execute hidari mae-geri and junzuki at chudan level.
18. Step forward into migi zenkutsu dachi and execute migi mae-geri and junzuki at chudan level.
19. Turn counter-clockwise 270 degrees, using the hips for power, into hidari zenkutsu dachi and execute hidari gedan uke.
20. Step forward into migi zenkutsu dachi and execute migi mae-geri and junzuki at chudan level.
21. Turn clockwise 180 degrees, using the hips for power, into migi zenkutsu dachi with a migi gedan uke.
22. Step forward into hidari zenkutsu dachi and execute hidari mae-geri and junzuki at chudan level.
23. Yamei.
24. Naorei, into Musubi-dachi position.
25. Rei

1. Rei
2. Yoi Heiko dachi (feet apart one foot length, fists hanging naturally).
3. Move left foot to left into hidari neko ashi dachi (side-facing cat stance). Perform hidari haishu uke with right hand hikite open across the chest.
4. Bring left foot back to heiko dachi (ready stance) and perform migi tae uke.
5. Perform migi shuto to the right at shoulder level.
6. Perform hidari seiken zuki at 45 degree angle to the right and withdraw both hands simultaneously into hidari tae uke. (Note - these first movements are done with the body facing the front.)
7. Step left foot out 45 degrees to the left into left neko ashi dachi and perform left shuto uke with right hand hikite beside the chest in a fist.
8. Step right foot forward into zenkutsu dachi and perform right yonhan nukite chudan (spear hand thrust at solar plexus level).
9. Pivot 180 degrees counterclockwise withdrawing the right hand. Then step the right foot forward into migi neko ashi dachi and perform migi shuto uke with left hand hikite beside the chest in a fist.
10. Step left foot forward into zenkutsu dachi and perform hidari yonhan nukite chudan.
11. Pivot 135 degrees clockwise into zenkutsu dachi and perform migi jodan uke (high block).
12. Perform hidari gyakuzuki (reverse punch) chudan.
13. Perform migi junzuki (front punch) chudan.
14. Yame, step left foot beside the right into heiko dachi by pivoting 90 degrees clockwise on the right foot.
15. Naorei