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| Around the year 1934, Sensei Otsuka developed rules for kumite (fighting) competitions, the first karate style to have done it. These rules were adapted for modern karate competitions. But soon the practice of karate decreased, then disappeared with the bombardments. The young Japanese men leave for military service, then to the war on the front. The number of deaths are innumerable. At the end of the war, there isn't one karate dojo left in Tokyo. It is after 1946 that the students begin once again to practice karate. In Japan, during the years following the war, the first trouble the population had was to eat, and the material conditions are very miserable. Only the toughest students come to classes to practice karate. It is as if they wanted to forget the wounds the war had left them in plunging deeply in the practice of the art of kumite. It was a way for the students to forget their dead comrads by imposing themselves a training of extreme difficulty. After the war had so profoundly hit Japan, karate schools began once again in the universities. |
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Master Otsuka demonstrating defense against kendo (sword fighting) |
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| In referance to Sensei Otsuka, Wado Ryu was more of a spiritual dimension discipline. For him, "ten-chi-jin, ri-do" ( heaven-earth-man-principal way) was an harmonious union that is respected through discipline and commitment. His thoughts are perhaps best left to be expressed by the great man himself: |
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Master Otsuka fighting with 2 oponents |
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"The true purpose of budo is the search for truth. in karate, three elements are important - physical strengh, spirit and heart. The end of do (the way), cannot be achieved in a few years, rather is a lifelong search. Perhaps you could say the aim is to make us good Human Beings." |
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| In Sensei Otsuka's memories, he mentionnes that the way of martial arts is not the kumite techniques but rather the way of the "Peace and Harmony" without violence. To acquire power, a healthy body and a superior intelligence should be cultivated to attain this ideal. On November 20, 1981 Master Hironori Otsuka abdicated the position of Grand Master and nominated his eldest son, Jiro Otsuka (soon to be Hironori Otsuka II), as the second Grand Master. On January 29,1982 he died at the age of 90 years old. Wado-Ryu was his rich legacy to the world in which he hoped to bring peace and mutual understanding. Wado, the way of peace and harmony. |
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Master Otsuka demonstrating defense against knife attack with Kato Toshio |
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| Personal history of Master hironori Otsuka |
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06-01-1892 Birth in Shimodate, Ibaragi
04-01-1897 Signs up to Shinzaburo Nakayama's (Master of Shinto Yoshin Ryu) school.
06-01-1920 Succeeds to his master, attaining the highest degree in Shinto Yoshin Ryu and becomes the
4th master
07-1922 Begins learning of Okinawa-te (karate)
05-1934 Founded the Wado-Ryu Karate-Jutsu and the Wado-Ryu Jujutsu Kenpo
11-20-1981 Abdicates to the position of Grand master and nominates Jiro Otsuka, his eldest son, as the
second Grand Master (Hironori Otsuka II)
01-29-1982 Dies at the age of 90 years old. |
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| Titles and decorations received by Master Hironori Otsuka |
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- In 1938, the Dai Nippon Butoku Kai awarded Sensei Hironori Otsuka the rank of Renshi-Go.
- In 1942, Sensei Hironori Otsuka was awarded the rank of Kyoshi Go.
- In 1966, on Emperor Hirohito's birthday, Sensei Otsuka receives the rank of Kun-Go-To (Fifth Order of Merit {Cordon of the Rising Son}) and the Emperor decorates him with Soko-Kyokujitsu-Sho Medal, for his efforts in spreading karate-do in Japan.
- Sensei Hironori Otsuka also received the Shiju Hoosho Medal for his services given to sports of the Japanese goverment. The only man in the history of karate-do to have been honored so many times.
- In 1972, Sensei Hironori Otsuka received the Shodai Karate-do Meijin Judan (First geneation of karate-do Masters of 10th Dan). "The All Japan Karate-do Federation" and the "International Martial Arts Federation, Kokusai Budo In", headed by Higashikuni, certified Sensei Hironori Otsuka as the first Exellent Martial Artiste of 10 Dan in Karate-do. This is the same status as that of Mifune Kyuzo in Judo and Nakayama Hakuko in Kendo. |
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