PROFESSOR HIRONORI OHTSUKA

Professor Ohtsuka, the founder of Wado-Ryu style karate-do was undoubtedly one of the greatest maters there has ever been in Japanese karate.

From the age of 6 years old Ohtsuka had spent 24 years of his life training under Chojiro Ibashi in Jui-Jitsu (unarmed fighting art of the Samurai warriors) and then from 13 years old under Tasusaburo Nakayama , which he received a master certificate in Shindo Yoshin Ryu Jui-Jitsu. He did not begin to study karate until he was 30 years of age, this being under Master Gichin Funakoshi (1868-1957) the founder Shotokan Karate.

In 1939 whilst studying under Master Gichin Funakoshi, and becoming one of his top students, Ohtsuka founded his own style of Karate know today as Wado-Ryu. Due to its unique subtleties and softness Wado-Ryu opened up a new dimension in Japanese Karate as it is described as a skilful blend of Jui-Jitsu and Karate techniques.

1st June 1892	-	Born in Lbaraki Prefecture
April 1898	-	Began training in Jui-Jitsu
Spring 1911	-	Continues training in Jui-Jitsu with special emphasis on Toshin-Kenpo
1st June 1921	-	Inherits the right to propagate Chin-style Jui-Jitsu from the thirid Master Tasuasaburo Nakayama
Spring 1922	-	Begins training in Karate, founds Wado-Ryu Karate techniques by incorporating some techniques from the Japanese Kobudo (weapon fighting art)
1929	-	Studies how to make Karate competitions possible and forms the rules for present day contests.
Autumn 1934	-	-Established Wadokai in All-Japan Karate league, with alsmost 300 locations, including Europe and America
29th April 1966	-	Recipient on the Soko Asahi award for his dedication to Karate
29th January 1982	-	Four months short of his 90th birthday, Hironori Ohtsuka passed away.
		His martial arts experience spanned 84 years of deep study.