April 1897 and Ohtsuka started school where began studying Shindo Yoshin Ryu Jujitsu the supervision of his father, Dr Tokujuro Ohtsuka. At the age of 13 the third Grand Master of this style Shinzaburo Nakayama Sensei. Unlike other schools of jujitsu at the time, Yoshin Ryu specialised in kicking and punching techniques in addition to throwing, twisting and locking techniques. Ohtsuka continued to study the style whilst at Waseda University from 1910 to 1917. He also studied different styles of Jujitsu and learned a great deal about the body's vital points for both attacking and healing purposes.
It was during the sports festival in Tokyo of 1922 that Ohtsuka first encountered Gichin Funakoshi, a karate instructor sent by council of Okinawan masters. Ohtsuka was impressed and he visited Funakoshi many times during his stay. Ohtsuka's enthusiasm and determination to understand karate so impressed Funakoshi that he agreed to teach him.
By the time Ohtsuka was 30 he had set up a medical practice dealing in martial arts injuries, was Chief Instructor of Shindo Yoshin Ryu Jujitsu and an assistant instructor at Funakoshi's dojo.
It was in 1924 now aged 31 that he was graded to Shodan level by Funakoshi. As Funakoshi's assistant he began teaching at Tokyo University and was training with other famous martial artists, such as, Kenwa Mabuni (founder of Shito-Ryu) and Choki Motobu.
1929 and Ohtsuka was a registered member of the Japan Martial Arts Federation. At this time Okinawan Karate only concentrated on Kata and Ohtsuka believed that the full spirit of budo (which concentrates on defence and attack) was missing. He experimented with other styles such as Judo, Kendo and Aikido.
He started to blend the practical and useful elements of Jujitsu and Kendo with his Okinawan Karate which lead to the birth of kumite (fighting). His teaching methods began to conflict with those of Funakoshi who believed it was only a matter of time before someone was maimed or even killed.
Ohtsuka felt that there was a need for a more dynamic and fluid style of karate and in the late 1930's the inevitable happened when Ohtsuka decided to leave Funakoshi and concentrate on developing his own style of Karate.
During 1934 Wado-Ryu Karate was officially recognised as an independent style of karate and with this came the fulfillment of Ohtsuka's life long ambition, to become a full time martial artist. It wasn't until 1938 that Wado Ryu was officially registered and Ohtsuka was awarded the rank 'Renshi-go'.
Following a demonstration of Wado Karate during the same year the Japanese Martial Arts Federation acknowledged him as a high ranking instructor and the next year when all the different styles were asked to register their Ohtsuka registered the name Wado-Ryu.
The story doesn't stop there though. The next few years witnessed Wado-Ryu Karate go from strength to strength with new dojo's opening and Karate being taught in universities. However even though Ohtsuka was appointed Japans Chief Karate Instructor in 1944, Wado Ryu was hardly recognised outside of the east.
1963 and a three man team left Japan to demonstrate Wado-Ryu Karate in America and Europe. Consisting off Arakama, Takashima and Suzuki they left lasting impressions wherever they went and Wado-Ryu Karate became recognised worldwide.
During this time Ohtsuka who had remained in Japan to train and instruct Wado-Ryu was awarded the title "Kun Goto Suokuo Kyoku jujitsu Shuo" by the late Emperor Horohito in 1966. This lead to the further historic award "Meijin" in 1972, the first time that this title had been awarded to a Karate-Ka and placed him with the same status as Kyuzo Mifune of Judo and Hakuko Nakayama of Kendo.
Ohtsuka passed away peacefully on the 19th January 1982 and had continued leading and teaching Wado until shortly before his death. He will be remembered for his enormous contribution and devotion to Wado-Ryu Karate.
The following is a quote from the programme of the 25th Anniversary Wa no Kizuna Tournament.
"Ju-jitsu brings two attributes to the practice of Wado: shimeru and atemi. The principle of 'ju' signified flexibility through yielding. A characteristic of ju known as 'riding' (noru) is a major contributor to wado's powerful, snapping punches. Through complete relaxation, a rapid flexing strike can be applied and withdrawn in a single movement, resulting in astounding force with a minimal expenditure of energy. By employment of such a punch, the practitioner is in constant readiness to strike again.
A relaxed stance suggests a second principal of 'ju' called 'flowing' - an adaptability similar to water which naturally takes the form of any container. Wado is exemplified by it's gentleness and flexibility. Gentleness implies attention to accuracy of footwork, timing and use of hands.
The fixed forms of Wado teach numerous seemingly delicate, but effective, hand and elbow strikes. Wado's principle of flexibility through yielding can be applied to intellectual endeavors as
well as self defence."
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