| History of Wado Karate | | | | techniques, however performed with a partner. The |
| In 1934 Master Hironori Ohtsuka founded the traditional | | | | attacker has certain punches, kicks, and strikes to |
| Japanese Karate style called Wado-Ryu Karate – | | | | deliver, while the defender has to execute precise |
| which translates to “way of peace” or “way | | | | blocks, evasions, and counters. This is where Wado |
| of harmony”. Master Ohtsuka believed that | | | | really differentiates itself from other styles because it |
| “violent actions may be understood as the way of | | | | uses the hips and body to evade attackers, along with |
| martial arts, but the true meaning of martial arts is to | | | | their energy, and counter with strikes, throws and/or |
| seek and attain the way of peace and harmony.” | | | | locks. |
| Considered as a pioneer of the martial arts due to his | | | | Your First Day |
| dedicated training and innovative ideas, Otsuka Sensei | | | | As I mentioned, Wado Karate can be a very traditional |
| began his martial arts career in Shindo Yoshin Ryu | | | | martial art, so your first class will probably cover some |
| Jujitsu, and than trained under the personal guidance of | | | | of the traditions of Karate. For example, you will learn |
| Shotokan founder Gichin Funakoshi – who is | | | | that you need to bow at the dojo (training) floor before |
| sometimes recognized as the Father of Karate. | | | | entering or leaving, as well as bow to other Black Belts |
| After years of training and studying, Ohtsuka Sensei | | | | that enter or leave the dojo floor because this shows |
| decided to create his own Karate style by combining | | | | respect. |
| the two arts and creating “Wado” – a fluid, | | | | More than likely you will be in a class that includes |
| yet powerful martial art. | | | | other beginners of the same age. In these classes |
| By 1938 Wado-Ryu was officially registered and later | | | | they will teach you how to punch, kick, and block |
| recognized by the Japan Martial Arts Federation as | | | | correctly, and demonstrate which part of the body you |
| “traditional” Karate – 1 of 4 styles in Japan | | | | want to use when executing these techniques. They |
| that had been awarded this status. | | | | may also teach you some very basic stances so you |
| | | | understand how to perform them later in your katas. |
| What you will learn | | | | |
| Most Wado Karate schools are very traditional due to | | | | Required Equipment |
| its roots and history. This is a great environment to | | | | The only real equipment you will need is a Gi and Obi |
| learn in because the student will experience the true | | | | (uniform and belt). Anything else is simply considered |
| essence of Wado. However, some creative | | | | additional curriculum to a Wado Karate schools |
| Wado-Ryu instructors have incorporated modern | | | | program. Many schools teach controlled free-style |
| training and teaching techniques to accommodate a | | | | sparring, therefore will require you to purchase |
| larger student base. | | | | protective gear such as a helmet, hand and feet pads, |
| Classes will consist of Karate basics such as punches, | | | | chest protector, mouth piece, and groin protector for |
| kicks, blocks, and strikes – including several stances | | | | guys. Other schools may also teach you how to use a |
| to build strength in the legs, develop coordination, and | | | | weapon. Traditionally, Wado-Ryu does not have a |
| improve balance. Along with these basic techniques, | | | | weapon in their art, as it is an empty hand style, |
| students will learn how to refine their timing by | | | | however the instructor may have learned it |
| performing reaction drills and combining them with kicks | | | | somewhere else and decided to include this in their |
| and punches. This teaches the student how to counter | | | | curriculum. |
| and/or evade an attacker. | | | | Expected Costs |
| In addition, another focus in Wado Karate classes are | | | | The cost of training in Wado-Ryu can vary, so there is |
| katas – detailed choreographed patterns of stances | | | | no definitive answer. And, it depends on the |
| combined with basic Karate techniques. To some | | | | school’s curriculum, since some studios may have |
| practitioners, this is considered as the foundation of | | | | mandatory purchases such as sparring equipment or |
| Wado, since Otsuka Sensei spent countless hours | | | | training videos. I suggest you ask the instructor what |
| perfecting katas. | | | | are the required purchases in order to train at their |
| Once you become a Black Belt in Wado, students will | | | | school so you can budget accordingly. |
| also learn Kihons – choreographed Karate | | | | |