East Coast Wado Karate Club
Martial Arts Club serving Sackville, Bedford and Hammonds Plains, NS
History of Wado
Our history begins in 1934, when Founder and Master Hironori Ohtsuka registers his own style of Karate called Wado Ryu.
When broken down Wado Ryu directly translates to Harmony Way School. Wa = Harmony, Do = Way and Ryu = School.
Ohtsuka Sensei started his training in 1897 in Shindo Yoshin Ryu Jujitsu. Some of which is still found in Wado Ryu today. He continued his training until 1920 when he was awarded the highest degree of Shindo Yoshin Ryu Jujitsu making him the fourth Grand Master of that Style. In 1922, Ohtsuka Sensei would first encounter Karate with Ginchin Funakoshi Sensei. The two trained extensively together for a year, and led Ohtuska Sensei to finding a deeper meaning. At that time, karate was more Kata based and Ohtsuka Sensei felt there was a need for more attack and defense based techniques. In 1934, Wado Ryu was registered as a style, a combination of techniques Ohtsuka Sensei found to be more fluid in motion and action. Ohtsuka Sensei would be appointed Japan Chief Karate Instructor by 1944, giving accreditation to his training as a Martial Artist.
Ohtsuka Sensei would be the Head of Wado Ryu Karate until passing in January, 1982.
When broken down Wado Ryu directly translates to Harmony Way School. Wa = Harmony, Do = Way and Ryu = School.
Ohtsuka Sensei started his training in 1897 in Shindo Yoshin Ryu Jujitsu. Some of which is still found in Wado Ryu today. He continued his training until 1920 when he was awarded the highest degree of Shindo Yoshin Ryu Jujitsu making him the fourth Grand Master of that Style. In 1922, Ohtsuka Sensei would first encounter Karate with Ginchin Funakoshi Sensei. The two trained extensively together for a year, and led Ohtuska Sensei to finding a deeper meaning. At that time, karate was more Kata based and Ohtsuka Sensei felt there was a need for more attack and defense based techniques. In 1934, Wado Ryu was registered as a style, a combination of techniques Ohtsuka Sensei found to be more fluid in motion and action. Ohtsuka Sensei would be appointed Japan Chief Karate Instructor by 1944, giving accreditation to his training as a Martial Artist.
Ohtsuka Sensei would be the Head of Wado Ryu Karate until passing in January, 1982.
Until the 1960's, most Martial Arts and more specifically, Wado Ryu, were still primarily in Japan. In 1963, a small 3 man team would leave Japan and bring Wado Ryu to Europe and the Americas. By the 1970s, karate had truly become recognized internationally . And While Ohtsuka Sensei remained in Japan to teach, his senior instructors took Wado Ryu to the masses.
Among this 3 man team taking Wado Ryu internationally was Tatsuo Suzuki Sensei.
Suzuki Sensei began his training in 1942 under Ohtsuka Sensei. Between 1945 and 1956 he received direct instruction from Founder Ohtsuka Sensei in the Wado Style. By 19 years of age he was awarded 3rd Dan rank. In 1951, by the age of 24, he was awarded the highest rank in Wado at the time, 5th Dan. At the age of 45 years old, he received his 8th Dan. Also in that year, he was given the title of Hanshi (Master) by the International Budo Federation.
In 1991, Suzuki Sensei took over from Ohtsuka Sensei the great responsibility of protecting the essence of Wado Ryu. Suzuki created the Wado International Karate-Do Federation in order to preserve these teachings. Suzuki Sensei remained the head of the Wado Ryu style until his passing on July 10, 2011.
It was at this time that Suzuki Sensei appointed his senior student Jon Wicks to become the World Chief Instructor of Wado Ryu. A position he holds to this day.
Among this 3 man team taking Wado Ryu internationally was Tatsuo Suzuki Sensei.
Suzuki Sensei began his training in 1942 under Ohtsuka Sensei. Between 1945 and 1956 he received direct instruction from Founder Ohtsuka Sensei in the Wado Style. By 19 years of age he was awarded 3rd Dan rank. In 1951, by the age of 24, he was awarded the highest rank in Wado at the time, 5th Dan. At the age of 45 years old, he received his 8th Dan. Also in that year, he was given the title of Hanshi (Master) by the International Budo Federation.
In 1991, Suzuki Sensei took over from Ohtsuka Sensei the great responsibility of protecting the essence of Wado Ryu. Suzuki created the Wado International Karate-Do Federation in order to preserve these teachings. Suzuki Sensei remained the head of the Wado Ryu style until his passing on July 10, 2011.
It was at this time that Suzuki Sensei appointed his senior student Jon Wicks to become the World Chief Instructor of Wado Ryu. A position he holds to this day.