Professor Tatsuo Suzuki was born
in Yokohama in 1928 and became interested in
Karate at the age of fourteen. He was taught by Professor
Hironori Ohtsuka, Highest Karate authority in
Japan, founder of the Wado-Ryu style of Karate
and recipient of the Shiju Hoosho medal for
service to sport from the Government of Japan,
the only man in the history of Karate to be so
honoured. Professor Suzuki is looked upon as his
successor.
Within six years of beginning to study Karate,
Professor Suzuki was awarded his third Dan and in
1951 was awarded the then highest grade in Wado-Ryu
style Karate - fifth Dan - for his outstanding
courage and ability
In addition to his accomplishments in Karate,
Professor Suzuki is a second Dan in
Tenshin Koryu Bo-Jitsu (stick fighting)
and a first Dan in Judo. He has
also studied Zen doctrine with the high priests,
the late Genpo Yamamoto and Soyen Nakagawa.
In
1975 he received his eighth Dan, the
highest grade ever given by the Federation of All-Japan
Karate-Do organizations, Wado-Kai. In that year
he also received the highest Japanese martial
arts title of 'Hanshi' awarded to
him by an uncle of the Emperor Higashikuni.
Professor Suzuki is the only living person with
this title in Wado-Ryu. The only other person was
the late Professor Ohtsuka. He is at present
engaged in the setting up of Karate organizations
throughout Europe as the Renmei's Chief
Representative abroad.
Professor Suzuki is now the Chief Instructor the
for Europe Wado-Ryu and Chairman to the United
Kingdom Karate-Do Wado Kai whose main dojo is
Professor Suzuki's School of Karate.
Professor Tatsuo Suzuki was born
in Yokohama in 1928 and became interested in
Karate at the age of fourteen. He was taught by Professor
Hironori Ohtsuka, Highest Karate authority in
Japan, founder of the Wado-Ryu style of Karate
and recipient of the Shiju Hoosho medal for
service to sport from the Government of Japan,
the only man in the history of Karate to be so
honoured. Professor Suzuki is looked upon as his
successor.