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HIRONORI OTSUKA II
Wado-Ryu
Grand Master Jiro Otsuka II was born on February
28, 1934, in Tokyo, Japan. The second son of Grand Master Hironori
Otsuka I, he was born the same year the first Grand Master established
his own organization, "Dai Nihon Karate-do Shinko Club",
which was the parent organization of Wado-Ryu Karate-Do.
Grand Master Jiro Otsuka graduated from Meji University
in Tokyo, receiving a degree in Economics.
A unique feature of Wado-Ryu is that the position
of Grand Master is still handed down from the current Master to
the next generation family member who is most deserving of the
title. This hereditary system was one prevalent in ancient Japan
but is not seen today. In preparation for this succession, Master
Jiro Otsuka began his training in Wado-Ryu at the age of fifteen
(15). He has also trained in Iai-Do, Ken-Do, Judo, Aiki-do and
Wado Shindo Yoshin Ryu Jujitsu Kempo.
In 1983, upon the death of his father, the present
Grand Master Otsuka II succeeded Grand Master Hironori Otsuka and
became the president of the Wado-Ryu Organization. There are presently
1,000 branch dojos throughout the world, with a membership of 40,000,
which are under his supervision.
Grand Master Otsuka II and his wife, Aiko, have
three (3) children. Kazutaka, who was born in 1965, has trained
in Iai-Do, Judo, and Wado-Ryu Karate and is presently the chief
instructor at the main dojo in Tokyo. A daughter, Rika, was born
in 1967 and has trained in Iai-Do and Wado-Ryu. The youngest son,
Kazumichi, was born in 1968.
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