History of Karate
Karate is a martial art which was developed in the Loochoo Islands (Loochoo is the old name for Okanawa). The Chinese method of boxing was introduced to these Islands which the inhabitants named Tode, literally meaning "Tang Hand". When the Loochoo Islands were conquered by the Shimazu Clan, all weapons were confiscated in order to rule the Islands with greater ease. This made for the study of Karate a study of a weaponless defense. This Martial Art would be introduced to Japan in 1922 by Gichin Funakoshi.
Modern Karate
Gichin Funakoshi (1870 - 1957) also known as the father of modern Karate introduced Okinawan Karate to mainland Japan in 1922. Funakoshi began the study of Karate as a young, sickly child. It was believed that Karate would make him stronger and allow him to overcome his handicaps. Gichin Funakoshi's Okanawan Karate would become known as Shotokan named after his pen name Shoto.
The word karate is composed of the japanese letters kara(empty) and te (hand), and so the martial art karate do is The way of the empty hand.
Karate combines various techniques of punching, kicking, blocking, grappling, controlling and so on. Mastering these techniques is only the beginning of a life long study of Karate-Do. Karate is generally viewed as a sport in today's society, but for many it is a Way of Life. Living the way builds confidence, coordination, and concentration good for man, woman and child alike.
Wado-Ryu Karate
Wado-Ryu karate is a fast, fluid style which emphasizes body movements in evasion. It's highly characteristic nagashizuki exemplifies the style's sophistication.
The Wado-Ryu (Way of Peace) school of karate, was founded by the late grand master Hironori Otsuka. Otsuka was born on June 1, 1892 in Shimodate, Ibaragi Prefecture. In 1897, at the age of 6, Otsuka entered the school of Shinzaburo Nakayama, Master of Shinto Yoshin Ryu. At the age of 29, he completed all the lessons and took the license of the highest degree of the school, which allowed him to succeed his master's position to become the fourth Grand Master of Shinto Yoshin Ryu.
In 1922, he began to study Okinawan Tode(Karate) while helping to introduce Funakoshi's Tode to Japan. In 1934, he founded Wado-Ryu Karate-Jutsu. This was a successful merge of the best of Shinto Yoshin Ryu Jujutsu and Okanawan Tode to create a brand new style of Karate known as Wado-Ryu. In 1966, the Emperor of Japan gave Hironori Otsuka the rank of Kun-Go-To and decorated him with the Sokokyokujitsu-Sho medal for his effort in the wide spread of Karate-Do.
In 1972, the International Martial Arts Federation, Kokusai Budo In, certified Otsuka as the first Excellent Martial Artist of 10th Dan in Karate-Do. Hironori Otsuka died January 29, 1982 at the age of 90 years old.