Hironori Otsuka(1892 - 1982) - Founder of Wado ryu karate
Hironori otsuka was born at lbaraki, Shimodate in japan in the year 1892. His father's name was DR.Tohujiro. He had four children. Otsuka was second child in his family. Hironori otsuka started Jujutsu art with Chojiro ebashi who was his relation. Inspite of his interest, In 1897, his father lead him to the school by the name Shindo yoshin ryu jujutsu. He learned jujutsu from the grand master Shinza buro nakayama in Shindo yoshin ryu jujutsu. In between 1910 to 1917, he studied many forms of jujutsu through wazado university. In 1922, Funakoshi demonstrated several technics in "Funakoshi karate event" which was held in tokyo. This demonstration made a vital role. It was attracted by Otsuka. So that he started learning karate from him. At his age of 30, he was appointed as an assistant instructor in Funakoshi dojo. Then became the member of Japan martial arts federation. Then he divided from funakoshi and started school by name wado. This school became very famous in japan. In the year 1964, 3 of his seniors students namely Toru Arakawa, Tatsuo Suzuki, Hajime Takashima took this wado art to western countries. By thease students, many wado schools were founded. After that this arts spreaded to many countries. Otsuka continued and teaching wado in japan. Otsuka got his 10th dan black belt(Meijin) from royal family's Higashi No Kuni no Miya, President of the Kokusai Budo Renmei (International Martial Arts Federation). The great legend died in january 29, 1982.