The Harmony Way of Wado Ryu Karate

The founder of Wado Ryu, Hironori Otsuka was a student of a couple of other Martial Arts before he developed this system. He studied Shindo Yoshin-Ryu a style of JuJitsu and was also a student in Okinawan Karate with Gichin Funakoshi. He became one of Funakoshi’s first students graded to the rank of Shodan (First Degree Black Belt). After his split from Funakoshi, Otsuka, sought out to further his knowledge of Martial Arts and studied also with Mubini Sensei and Choki Sensei. He then decided to develop his own unique style which blended both his Karate and JuJitsu training, developing the style that would be later named ‘Wado Ryu Karate Do’ The term ‘Wado’ means harmony, ‘Do’ means way and ‘Ryu’ meaning style.

This newly developed style had hints of both the other styles of Karate in which Otsuka had studied, plus techniques influences of JuJitsu. One of the main focuses of Wado Ryu Karate which makes it unique, is that it teaches you to move with the opponent versus against the opponent. Creating a harmonious outcome of both defender and attacker being out of harms way. There are other unique body mechanical type techniques taught to the Wado Ryu practitioner, making different than other traditional Okinawan/Japanese karate styles. One particular one is engaging the ball of the feet to gain distance with techniques.

Wado Ryu Karate also teaches, basics, kata, kumite, and philosophy. It like other styles of Karate incorporates a belt ranking system. Over history it has been part of and recognized as a traditional style of karate with the Dai Nippon Butoku Kai, the Japanese Karate Federation. It is is a popular style of karate which to this very day has a large following all over the world .

To learn more about Hinori Otsuka, check out his book by clicking the image below.

About the Author

Tracy Warrener has been fortunate to have been raised within the Martial Arts since the age of 4 years old and is a 4th Degree Black Belt in Goju Ryu Karate. She has had the opportunity to study with some amazing Martial Artists. Sensei Richard Kim, Sensei Peter Urban, Professor Don Jacob, Sensei Jim Wilson, Professor Wally Jay, just to name several. Of course her main Sensei is her father, Sensei Don Warrener. Throughout the 40 plus years of her involvement in the Martial Arts, she has worked her way from being a student of the martial arts to a Martial Arts Sensei ,teaching hundreds of students. She has ran and managed martial arts schools teaching students of all ages, worked within the community teaching at fitness centers, schools, businesses and Women’s Shelters, the benefits of Karate. One the causes close to her heart is teaching and empowering young girls and women the importance of self defense and awareness. Her program called Look Strong! Act Strong! Be Strong! focuses on easy self defense techniques and mind self defense techniques. In 2013 she was awarded The Silver Lifetime Achievement Award in the Masters of the Martial Arts Hall of Fame in California for her contribution to Women in the Martial Arts. She is also a Certified Reflexologist and Reiki Master. She has starred in three of her own DVDs produced by Rising Sun Productions on Reiki, Reflexology and her Look Strong ,Act Strong ,Be Strong Self Defense Program. tracy.warrenerentertainment@gmail.com