Vado Ryu is a Japanese karate style founded in 1939 by Hironori Otsuka. He is one of four main styles, along with shotokan, goju ryu and shito ryu. According to the founder of the style of Hironori Otsuk, the main task of the student is not to improve technical actions, but to develop the mind.
What is wado ryu
The name of the wado-ryu style consists of three parts: wa, do and ryu. Wa means harmony, do means path, and ryu means school or style. In some interpretations, wa is translated as “peace”, however, in the context of the name of this style, harmony is presented as something more effective than brute force. Harmony is the foundation of wado ryu.
The essence of vado ryu is due to its ultimate goal, which is to achieve peace of mind, the development of its ability to respond to any situation. Learning and improving takes a lifetime and leads to the inner peace of the student. According to Otsuki himself, violent actions can be understood as martial arts, but the true meaning of martial arts is to seek and achieve the path of peace and harmony.
History of creation
Otsuka Sensei began to study martial arts at the age of 6 years. At first he practiced jujitsu under the guidance of his father. At the age of 13, he became a student at the Shindo Yoshin Ryu Jiu-Jitsu School, a style that used atemi (a striking technique) that was different from other Jiu-Jitsu styles. Along with other martial arts, shindo yoshin ryu was one of the main styles used by Sensei Otsuka to create wado ryu.
In 1922, Otsuka began to study karate under the leadership of Gichin Funakoshi, the founder of shotokan karate. After many years of study, he was considered the best student of Funakoshi.
During this period, Otsuka began experimenting with various methods of sparring and the methods of jujitsu. He wanted to combine Cindo Yoshin's jujitsu techniques with Funakoshi's karate technique to create what he thought was the most complete combat system. He also studied and borrowed the ideas of other representatives of famous karate styles, such as Kenwa Mabuni, the founder of Shito Ryu, and Choki Motobu, known for his Naihanchi kata technique and street fighting skills.
Unlike other styles
One of the differences between Japanese karate wado ryu and many other styles is associated with training methods. Otsuka did not use makivara to strengthen the shock parts of the body. Also in this style there are no hard blocking sparring elements. Followers of wado ryu learn to use tai sabaki (movement) to avoid attack, while at the same time positioning their body for an effective counterattack.
The principle of conducting a duel in karate vado ryu is the minimum expenditure of forces, the use of a small amplitude of movements for protection without losing their effectiveness. The high maneuverability of the battle distinguishes it from other styles of karate. This method of warfare necessitates the use of higher and mobile racks. The Japanese karate wado ryu technique also uses throws, sweeps, and pain techniques. Various feints and distracting movements provoke the enemy to attack actions and help put him in a disadvantageous position.
Training program
The technique of karate wado ryu includes three aspects:
- kihon - the basics, the basic technique that is developed without a real partner;
- kumite - sparring, the fighting side of style;
- kata - formalized complexes of techniques, the most important aspect in this type of martial art, using the basics and fighting in training mode.
Initially, students study 5 Pinan kata: at the initial level, they are Nidan and Shodan kata, at the intermediate level they teach Sandan, Yondan and Godan.
At an advanced level, higher-level kata are introduced that use the complicated form of previous kata: Kushanku, Naihanchi and Bassai.
Kata karate vado ryu consists of a certain series of movements designed to provide the student with a tool for practical use of the basic methods of karate and combinations of these methods by repetition. Like other karate styles and schools, wado ryu is also based on the use of basic martial arts techniques. These methods include kicks and kicks, blocks and other movements. Most karate schools teach kata and regularly repeat them.
Initially, there were 16 kata in Vado Ryu, but in 1945 the Suparimpei kata was excluded from the curriculum. After World War II, only 9 katas remained, but some associations still practice 15 katas, registered in 1945.