Wado-Ryu

Hironori Otsuka's "way of harmony" - evasion, fluidity and jujutsu influence.

Founder: Hironori Otsuka
Founded: 1939
Origin: Tóquio, Japão

History

Hironori Otsuka was a master of Shindo Yoshin-Ryu Jujutsu before studying karate with Funakoshi. In 1939 he founded Wado-Ryu, merging the percussive efficiency of karate with the strategic softness of jujutsu. The name says it all: "wa" is harmony, "do" is the way.

Principles

Taisabaki - avoiding the attack by moving the body rather than blocking head-on
Joint twists and off-balancing inherited from jujutsu
Economy of movement: strategic intelligence over brute force
Higher, more natural stances that favour mobility