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2nd Grandmaster
Hironori (Jiro) Ohtsuka Sensei |
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Jiro
Ohtsuka was born in Tokyo, Japan on the 28th February 1934. This
was also the year that Wado karate was originated by his father, Hironori
Ohtsuka sensei.
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He is
introduced to martial arts at an early age. And studies
various styles,
such as kendo, Akido, Jujitsu, Judo, and Iaido.
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At 15
years old he starts training in Wado Ryu karate, under the expert tutorage of
his father,
grandmaster Ohtsuka 1st. For the next 33
years he spends as much time with his father as possible, who will
groom him into the one-day head of the style he created.
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In 1955
he graduates from Meiji university with a degree in economics.
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He starts
to assist and accompany his father teach Wado karate throughout Japan, as well
as continuing to study and train under him.
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In 1965,
his son Kazutaka is born. He is now the chief instructor at the Wado Ryu Honbu
dojo in Tokyo. Hironori Ohtsuka 2nd has two other children. Rikki,
born in 1967, and Kazumichi,
born in 1968.
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In the
late sixties, and seventies, he accompanies his father throughout Europe and
America teaching Wado. He would often demonstrate sword defence with his
father, and attack him with a live (extremely sharp) blade. Grandmaster
Ohtsuka' s hand would sometimes be bandaged where he had been nicked at an
earlier demo. They performed with a great amount of realism.
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In January 1982 his father passes away, and in
following his fathers wishes and in the Japanese tradition (of ancient
Japan), Jiro
assumes the name Hironori Ohtsuka 2nd. He says that on the day
before he died, his father was still thinking about his karate technique, and
wondering how he could improve it!
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He
continues to train night and day to perfect the skills that he learnt off his
father,
& to develop Wado karate for the 21st
century. On his 66th birthday, he states
that he feels he now has about 50% of his father’s knowledge. A hard act to
follow!
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There are presently over
1,000 branch dojo's throughout the world, with a membership of nearly
50,000, which are currently under his supervision.
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Ohtsuka
sensei continues to head Wado Ryu karate do worldwide, and teaches every other
year throughout England and Europe.
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His ongoing commitment is
"To strive to achieve his father's greatness."
Further details and
information on Grandmaster Ohtuska 2nd
can be found at the following links.
Interview with Grandmaster Ohtsuka II by USA Eastern
Wado organisation
Video of Grandmaster
Ohtsuka performing knife defence with his son Kazutaka
Sensei
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