Wadō-ryū, meaning “Harmony Way School”, is one of the major styles of modern karate, officially recognised on mainland Japan. It is considered one of the four major styles of Japanese karate, alongside Shotokan, Gōjū-ryū, and Shitō-ryū.
The style was founded by Hironori Ōtsuka (大塚 博紀), who was born on 1 June 1892, in Shimodate City, Ibaraki, Japan. His father, Tokujiro Ōtsuka, was a medical doctor. Ōtsuka began his martial arts journey at the young age of five, training in jujutsu under his great-uncle, Chojiro Ebashi, who was a samurai. His father took over his martial arts education in 1897.
At the age of 13, Ōtsuka became a student of Tatsusaburo Nakayama in Shindō Yōshin-ryū jujutsu, a style that would prove fundamental in the founding of Wadō-ryū. He continued his studies through school and university. By 1928, at the age of 30, Ōtsuka was awarded the title of grandmaster in jujutsu.
In 1922, Ōtsuka met Gichin Funakoshi, who is credited with bringing Okinawan karate to mainland Japan. Ōtsuka began studying karate under Funakoshi and quickly became one of his assistant instructors. During this period, he continued his jujutsu studies and also explored other Japanese martial arts, including judo and kendo, and aikido. He also studied under other prominent Okinawan masters such as Motobu Chōki and Kenwa Mabuni. Ōtsuka was a professional bonesetter, known for his exceptional knowledge of atemi-jutsu (the knowledge of where and how to strike to inflict damage or immobilise an adversary).
Founding and Early Development
Ōtsuka’s vision for a new martial art came from blending the practical and useful elements of Okinawan karate with the techniques found in jujutsu and kendo. This blend notably led to the early formation of kumite (sparring) in karate, as he believed there was a need for a more dynamic and fluid type of karate.
On 1 April 1934, Ōtsuka opened his own karate school, the Dai Nippon Karate Shinko-Kai, located at 63 Banchi Suehiro-Cho, Kanda, Tokyo. It was during this time that he formulated what would become Wadō-ryū. The style was officially recognised as an independent karate style in 1934. The name Wadō-ryū, meaning “Harmony Way School” or “Way of Peace”, came into being in 1938 when it was registered with the Dai Nippon Butoku Kai under the more elaborate name Shinshu Wadō-ryū Karate Ju Jutsu (神州和道流空手柔術). It was again registered at the Butokukai, Kyoto, in 1940, for the demonstration of various martial arts, alongside Shotokan, Shitō-ryū, and Gōjū-ryū.
After founding Wadō-ryū, Ōtsuka left his medical practice to become a full-time martial artist. In 1944, he was appointed Japan’s Chief Karate Instructor.
Influences and Distinguishing Characteristics
Wadō-ryū is a fusion style, drawing heavily from multiple martial arts traditions:
- Shindō Yōshin-ryū Jujutsu: This jujutsu style, which Ōtsuka studied under Tatsusaburo Nakayama, was fundamental to Wadō-ryū’s creation. Ōtsuka incorporated the grace and natural movement of Shindō Yōshin-ryū, as well as its focus on body-shifting and avoidance.
- Okinawan Karate (specifically Shotokan and Shuri-te elements): Ōtsuka’s training under Gichin Funakoshi (Shotokan’s founder) provided the karate foundation. The Wadō style is said to partly include Shuri-te, but rearranged as jujutsu.
- Other masters: He also trained under Motobu Chōki and Kenwa Mabuni, indicating a broad exposure to different Okinawan karate methods.
Wadō-ryū distinguishes itself from other styles in several ways:
- Emphasis on Body-Shifting and Avoidance: The core objective in Wadō-ryū is to cause pain and injury to the opponent while simultaneously restricting any possible injury to the karateka through agile body movement and evasive tactics.
- Atemi-jutsu: Ōtsuka’s background as a professional bonesetter gave him exceptional knowledge of striking points on the human anatomy. Wadō-ryū leverages this knowledge, using body-striking techniques aimed at the more than three hundred regions that can inflict damage or immobilise an adversary.
- Kata Differences from Shotokan: The Wadō-ryū versions of kata lack the changes introduced into Shotokan kata by Gichin Funakoshi and Gigō Yoshitaka, particularly those affecting kicking techniques. These Shotokan modifications were implemented after Ōtsuka’s separation from Funakoshi.
Growth and Worldwide Spread
Wadō-ryū has grown significantly, becoming one of the major karate styles with thousands of adherents throughout the world. Many great masters have developed from its original teachings. The style is recognised as one of the traditional Japanese martial arts.
Katas Associated with Wadō-ryū
Ōtsuka incorporated nine traditional kata into Wadō-ryū.
- Pinan (Heian): The Wadō-ryū style practices the Heian kata, but refers to them by their Okinawan name, Pinan. Notably, the first and second Pinan kata in Wadō-ryū are reversed in order compared to the modern Shotokan ordering, which is closer to the original Okinawan Toh-te tradition.
- Seisan: This kata is practiced within Wadō-ryū. The Wadō-ryū version of Seisan is derived from the precursor of Shotokan that Funakoshi was teaching, and it is strikingly similar to the Shorin-ryū Seisan versions practiced on Okinawa, suggesting it underwent minimal alteration.
- Rohai: A family of kata found in various karate styles, Rohai is also practiced in Wadō-ryū. This kata originated from the Tomari-te school of Okinawan martial arts.
- Wanshū (Wansu): This kata is included in Wadō-ryū. The name refers to “Excellent Wrist” or “Wang’s Series,” believed to be named after the diplomat Wang Ji (Ōshū in modern Japanese) who taught chu’an fa to the gentry of Tomari in the 17th century. In Shotokan, this kata is known as Empi.
- Kushanku
- Naihanchi
- Seishan
- Chintō
- Jion
Branches and Official Organisations
Ōtsuka formally founded the International Karate Organisation Kyokushin kaikan (IKO or IKOK) in 1964 to organize the numerous schools teaching his Kyokushinkai style, which evolved from his Gōjū-ryū training. While this is a development from a different style of Ōyama (who trained in Gōjū-ryū, Shotokan, and developed Kyokushinkai), the Wadō-ryū was founded by Hironori Ōtsuka. The main international organisation for Wadō-ryū is the International Federation of Wadō-ryū Karate-dō Organisations.
Legacy
Hironori Ōtsuka‘s Wadō-ryū holds a significant place in karate history, not only as one of the four major Japanese styles but also for its distinctive approach. By integrating the evasive movements and joint manipulations of jujutsu with the striking techniques of Okinawan karate, Ōtsuka created a dynamic system emphasizing harmony and efficient self-defence. His contributions include the early development of kumite in karate, transforming it into a more practical and fluid martial art. This blend of hard and soft techniques, coupled with a deep understanding of human anatomy, ensures Wadō-ryū’s enduring legacy in the global martial arts community.
Karate Kata Step By Step 