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Hironori Otsuka

Hironori Otsuka - The Founder of Wado-Ryu

Master Otsuka was born on June 1st, 1892 in Shimodate City, Ibaraji, Japan where his father, Dr.Tokujiro Otsuka operated a clinic. As a boy he listened to his mother's uncle, Chojiro Ebashi tell thrilling stories of samurai endevours. He himself was a respected samurai warrior. Master Otsuka began martial arts training at five practicing ju-jutsu under his uncle's instruction.

By the age of 13 he began his formal training during his school days (1906-1911) in Shindo Yoshin-ryu Ju Jitsu, a traditional Japanese martial art from which modern judo was derived. This was under the direction of Yokiyoshi Tatsusaburo Nakayama (Kendo instructor, 1870-1933). This style stressed kicking and striking techniques, in contrast to the throwing techniques of most ju-jitsu styles.

In 1911, Master Otsuka entered Waseda University to study business administration. It was during this period that Master Otsuka began studying Atemi-style Kempo, while he continued his studies in Shinto Yoshin Ryu. When his father died in 1913 he was forced to quit school and return to Shimodate to work at Kawasaki Bank.

By 1921 at the relatively young age of 29, he was awarded the coveted menkyo-kaiden, designating him the successor as master of this style. A year later he began karate training under Gichin Funakoshi, the man who introduced karate to Japan from Okinawa.

Shotokan Master, Gichin Funakoshi had been sent to Japan by a council of Okinawan karate masters in order to introduce Okinawa-Te (Tode) to the Japanese. This was requested by the crown Prince Hirohito. Master Otsuka heard of this visit and journeyed to Tokyo to witness the demonstration.

Master Hironori Otsuka Demonstrating Pinan Shodan

Sensei Funakoshi eventually stayed on the main land and taught his passion karate at the Meishojuku Gymnasium. Master Otsuka visited with him at the Meisei Juku (home for Okinawan students) and spent many hours discussing their ideas about the martial arts. At this time Master Funakoshi agreed to accept Master Otsuka as a student of his karate. Master Otsuka immediately saw the advantages of combining the karate of Master Funakoshi, especially the kata with the techniques and principles of Shinto Yoshin Ryu jujitsu. Because of his martial arts skill he was able to grasp the principles of karate very quickly.

Master Funakoshi recognized these abilities and in 1924 he granted Master Otsuka his black belt in karate making him one of the first Japanese to be promoted in this art.

In 1927 he left the bank at Shimodate, and became a medical specialist treating martial arts injuries in order to devote more time to the martial arts.

Master Otsuka studied under Master Funakoshi for over ten years and became one of Master Funakoshi's senior students. After Master Otsuka began to teach karate at Tokyo University in 1929, he began to have conflicts with Master Funakoshi over the introduction of ju jitsu techniques and the practice of jiu kumite (free sparring), of which Master Funakoshi did not approve. Master Funakoshi was of the feeling that it was not necessary to take the risk of injuring your opponent for the pleasure of sport and there was a parting of the ways. Master Otsuka eventually travelled to Okinawa to train with the likes of Kenwa Mabuni and Choki Motobu. He wanted to learn more deeply of karate from the masters who had instructed Master Funakoshi. It was his belief that Master Funakoshi had over-simplified and over-modified several karate techniques and katas in the interests of teaching large groups of beginners.

Master Otsuka combined his new knowledge of karate with several of his own adaptations from his original Jui jitsu and Japanese Bushido (the Way of the Warrior) to form Wado karate. Master Otsuka intentionally made his karate as Japanese as possible. He also discarded techniques which he felt were ineffective. He introduced different kinds of body shifting techniques, a more upright stance for mobility, and reliance on evasion and counter techniques. Its emphasis of technique as opposed to strength and the traditional Okinawan karate maneouvers gave a softness to wado ryu unique in Japanese karate. He also introduced throws and joint locks into the repertoire and reduced the number of kata in his system to nine. Though many schools teach several more, Otsuka believed these nine were sufficient if studied properly. These include Pinan kata 1 through 5, Kushanku, Naihanchi, Seishan, and Chinto.

He had developed rules and regulations for competitive free sparring to be incorporated into his system, the first karate style to do so. These rules have been wholly or patially adopted by virtually all modern martial arts competitions. It is the sparring element in todays' karate that appears to attract many to the art.

Master Otsuka's wado ryu is a tremendously fast style. Its techniques and movements are the total expression of the practitioner's mind. As well as founding Wado Ryu Karatedo Renmei Federation, he was a founding member of the Kokusai Budoin (International Martial Arts Federation) and Director of the Japan Classical Martial Arts Promotion Society.

In 1967 the Emperor of Japan awarded Master Otsuka the Fifth Order of Merit (the Shiju Hoosho Medal) for his outstanding contributions to karate. He was the first karate master to receive this distinguished award.

In 1972, he was the recipient on the Hanshi Award, an even greater honour. Otsuka was again the first karateka ever honored by the royal family with the title of Meijin. Along with this award came the honour of being ranked at the head of all martial arts systems within the All Japan Karate-do Federation (Ju-dan or 10th degree Black Belt).

Shortly before his death Master Otsuka was recognized as the oldest practicing karateka in the world. Master Otsuka said "The difference between the possible and the impossible is one's will," and he always emphasized that the karateka should always hold true three vital elements - the heart, spirit and physical strength.

Even an above average man in his seventies or eighties would probably have been content to rest and let others continue his work, but Master Otsuka was not. Never believing that he or the martial arts in general had learned all that there was to know, he continued to practice. Putting on his gi (training uniform), he would train every day for twenty minutes on just one technique, and continue this for a full month. Those who have studied with him remarked how he enjoyed walking on the crowded streets of Tokyo, so that he could practice smoothly weaving and twisting (tai sabaki waza) without letting anyone touch him.

Master Hironori Otsuka practiced karate daily until his death on January 29th, 1982.