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ABOUT WADO RYU
A Message from the Otsuka Family
Jiro Otsuka was born the second son in the Otsuka
family in Tokyo in 1934. he same year the first Grand Master Hironori
Otsuka established his own organization called "Dai Nihon Karate-do
Shinko Club" which was the parent organization of Wado-Ryu Karate-Do.
Such being the case, Jiro Otsuka's life started the same time as
the development of Wado Ryu.
A unique point about Wado-Ryu is that is still practices the hereditary system
which was once prevalent in ancient times in Japan but is no longer seen today.
This is where the position of Grand Master is handed down to the next generation
family mentor who is most deserving of the title.
In 1983, the present Grand Master Otsuka II succeeded Hironori Otsuka and became
President of the Wado-Ryu organization. After concentrating all of his energies
on developing Wado-Ryu not only in Japan but abroad as well, the fruits of
his labours have been realized. There are presently 1,000 branch dojos with
membership of 40,000 throughout the world.
The name Wado-Ryu comes from the idea of TEN to CHI to JIN no RI_DO ni WA suru.
The Kanji TEN means sky, heaven and the air, CHI stands for earth, the soil
and the ground. JIN represents men, mankind and human beings. RI_DO means reason
and truth. WA stands for the sum of a whole, peace and harmony. These definitions
are the peace and harmony. These definitions are kanji's literal meanings,
but imply many other concepts and symbols which encompass the existing world
such as sunlight, rain harvesting crops, desire, love etc. The phrase TEN toCHI
to JIN no RI_DO ni WA suru, connects all these symbols and concepts together
with TEN, (sky) CHI (ground) and JIN (human beings). Represented as three circles,
meaning the basic principles. If those combinations are naturally executed
then WA (harmony) is created and that is represented by a larger circle that
encompasses all the other principles.
Creating harmony - WA is the most difficult condition to attain in the martial
arts. In order to do this you have to sharpen your intellect not only through
physical training but mental training as well.
The martial arts is not a sport. Whereas sports are concerned with the concept
of winning, martial arts are concerned with the idea of growing. The philosophy
of Wado-Ryu can help a person grow in any area of life.
Written by Kazutaka Otsuka
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