Drogheda Voices

jazzjeff · Posted: Sat May 19, 2007 12:40 pm Post subject: Wado-Ryu Karate

Wado-Ryu Karate

Links:
- http://www.irishkarate.com/
- http://www.wadokaratefederation.co.uk
- http://www.wado-ryu.org
- http://www.karatedo.co.jp/wado/w_eng/e_index.htm
- http://www.wkf.net/
- http://www.eurokarate.com/

For many years I had the pleasure of training in Wado-Ryu Karate under the excellent tutorship of Mr Philip Nulty.

If anyone is looking to get fit, learn self-defense, build up their confidence or do all of the previous mentioned, I would without question, suggest you sign up today with Philip and the local branch and international organisation.
Under his fully internationally legally recognised (and insured) club and excellent training, his experience in shaping the minds and bodies of the people of Drogheda over many years, have had a lot of benefits. To me, he is a quiet unsung hero. For many years he has helped shape the hearts, bodies and minds of young and not so young across Louth and sometimes beyond. He should be at least acknowledged by the town for his voluntary efforts.

Wado-Ryu karate is a form of self-defense and is based around the principle that it should only be used to defend ones self in times of trouble.
"Wado-Ryu" means - "Wa" can be read to mean harmony. "Do" is a Japanese term for way. "Ryu" simply means style.
More commonly known as Way of Peace" or "Open Hand" (in other words if some in previous times thought you might be of a danger to them, by the showing of open hands to them, it was recognised that you were not carrying any weapons and were of a peaceful nature and not a threat).
Wado-Ryu also espouses the idea of "Way Of Peace" and in todays troubled times, that can only be good.

The club, national and subsequent international organisation are very, very strict about the use of their students training.
THIS CANNOT BE UNDERSTATED.
No street demonstrations are allowed by children showing off, no use of the skills learned in the use of attacking someone, no use or threat of use, of the skills in even intimidating someone, etc.
The use of karate is strictly forbidden in all but absolute life threatening situations.
Breakage of any of the above and other well though out important rules means immediate without question, disbarment from the organisation worldwide and if necessary, the proper legal authorities are involved also.

The Benefits:

* Fitness:
Karate in general use all parts of the body and so the sheer exercises and movements of karate help shape the human body to a very high degree as you wish it to be.
Using both warm-up exercises and actual karate movements, slow and fast, the human body gets a complete workout from the head downwards to the toes.
Along with swimming, karate is recognised as one of two top activities that provide the best way of getting and keeping fit, in the world.

* Confidence:
With a small amount of knowledge of Wado-Ryu karate and a few months training, many previous students worldwide have discovered that their confidence had greatly improved.
With the skills learned you might not be able to take on 20 attackers but what you do learn is that although you might be faced with a tough and difficult situation sometimes, your chances of walking away alive are greatly improved.
You will find that this mental realisation stays with you and transgresses into other areas of your social life and work.
We all will face though situations in years to come but the knowing that the chances of harm are lessened by skills and knowledge learned from Wado-Ryu, greatly help in dealing with day to day occurrences and people.
I can testify to this myself personally.

* Defense:
As a form of self-defense Wado-Ryu has been shown to be one of the best. As the training consists on more defensive moves that offensive moves, its importance in keeping you alive is acknowledged.
Not only do you learn the physical moves and techniques that are part and parcel of the training, you also learn the mental techniques used in tough situations by security and police authorities around the world.
Knowing how to calmly talk down a situation of trouble and using trained correct responses more times than not, will get you out of trouble quicker than reacting with force and physical actions.

In Wado-Ryu, they would like to see you walking away by talking away, not hiking it by fighting it. It really is a way of peace.

*Discipline:
Students everywhere, especially young, learn a form of discipline and respect through proper training. Through actions and taught respect for each other in the training area (Dojo), students are made clear to that respect and equality are aspects of life that cannot be downplayed and should be upheld as admirable aspects in a persons character every day.
In a growing society that now lacks discipline in certain areas, there is still teachers out there that are showing discipline has its placed and use in society too.

There are many other advantages to Wado-Ryu. Enjoy discovering them for yourself.
Drop along for a free first class to get your self acquainted and discover a world beyond the one you previously knew.
You won't regret it - thats a guarantee.

Jeff Rudd.

---------------------------------------------------

History

On 1 June 1892 Founder Hironori Otsuka is born the second child of four children to Dr. Tokujiro Otsuka, in Shimodate, Ibaraki Prefecture

In 1898 Ohtsuka began practicing Jiujitsu.

Between 1905-1921 Ohtsuka trains Shindo Yoshin Ryu Jiujitsu under Tatsusaburo Nakayama (1870-1933).

In 1922 Otsuka met a soon to be famous Okinawan named Gichin Funakoshi and begins to train with him.

In 1924 Otsuka is one of the first students promoted to Black Belt in Karate by Funakoshi.

In 1929 Otsuka organized the first school karate club at Tokyo University.

In 1934 Eiichi Eriguchi coins the term 'Wadoryu'.

In 1938 Hironori Ohtsuka registers his style of karate with the Dai-Nippon-Butoku-Kai, originally under the name of "Shinshu Wadoryu Karate-Jujutsu". Not much later this was shortened (simplified) to Wadoryu (和道流).

In 1938 The Dai-Nippon-Butoku-Kai awarded Ohtsuka the rank of Renshi-Go.

In 1942 The Dai-Nippon-Butoku-Kai awarded Ohtsuka the rank of Kyoshi-Go. Tatsuo Suzuki, Founder of the WIKF, begins training Wado.

In 1944 Otsuka was appointed Japan's Chief Karate Instructor.

In 1946 Ohtsuka awards Tatsuo Suzuki 2nd Dan.

Circa 1950 Otsuka's second son Jiro Otsuka, begins training Wado around the age of 15.

In 1951 Otsuka awards Tatsuo Suzuki 5th Dan, the highest rank awarded in Wado at that time.

In 1952 a Wadoryu Honbu (headquarter) is established in the Meiji University dojo in Tokyo, Japan.

In 1954 Its name was changed to Zen Nippon Karate Renmei (All Japan Karate Federation)

In 1955 Otsuka published the book, Karatejutsu no Kenkyu.

In 1963 Otsuka dispatches Suzuki, along with Toru Arakawa and Hajimu Takashima to spread Wado around the World.

In 1964 the Japan Karatedo Federation (JKF) is established as a general organization for all karate styles. Wado joins this organization as a major group.

In 1965 Otsuka along with Yoshiaki Ajari, record onto film, which is now still available on two video tapes, much of his legacy of Wado Ryu Karate. The first video, Wado Ryu Karate Volume 1, consists of: in-depth history and recollections, demonstrations of the 8 Kihon No Tsuki body shifts, the first 5 Kihon-Kumite, and the katas: Pinans 1-5, Kushanku, Jion, Naihanchi, Seishan. The second video, Wado Ryu Karate Volume 2, consists of: more history, plus the katas Chinto, Niseshi, Rohai, Wanshu, and Jitte, as well as Kihon-Kumite 6-10, along with application.

In 1966 Ohtsuka was awarded Kun Goto Soukuo Kyokujujitsu (comparable to a knighthood) by Emperor Hirohito, for his dedication to the introduction and teaching of karate.

On 5 June 1967, the Wado organization changes the name into Wadokai.

In 1972 the President of Kokusai Budo Renmei, a member of the Royal Family, awarded Otsuka Sensei the title of Meijin, the highest possible title.

In 1975Tatsuo Suzuki receives his 8th Dan, the highest grade ever given by the Federation of All Japan Karatedo Organization, and is named Hanshi-Go by the Uncle of Emperor Higashikuni.

In 1980 as the result of a conflict between Hironori Otsuka and the Wadokai organization, Ohtsuka steps down as head of Wadokai. Eiichi Eriguchi takes over his place within Wadokai.

On 1 April 1981 Hironori Otsuka founds Wadoryu Karatedo Renmei. After only a few months Hironori Otsuka retires as head of this organization. His son Jiro Otsuka takes his place. Renmei means 'group' or 'federation'.

On 29 January 1982 Hironori Otsuka passes away in his 90th year.

In 1983 Jiro Otsuka succeeds his Father as grandmaster of Wado Ryu and changes his name to Hironori Otsuka II, in honor of his father.

In 1989 Tatsuo Suzuki founds his own organization (WIKF), the third major Wado organization: Wado Kokusai. Kokusai means 'international'.

Different Wado names

The full name of Wadokai in English is Japan Karatedo Federation Wadokai. In Japanese it is Zen Nihon Karatedo Renmei Wadokai.

Nowadays the full name of Wadoryu is Wadoryu Karatedo Renmei.

The full name of Wado Kokusai is Wado Kokusai Karatedo Renmei, also known as Wado International Karatedo Federation abbreviated as WIKF.

Strictly speaking Hironori Ohtsuka founded and developed Wado Ryu. The people who trained with him became the Wado group or Wadokai. So today, the style that is trained within Wadokai is Wado Ryu.