Experiencing the Beauty of Practicality – The Appeal of Wado-Ryu Karate

日本語

The 61st Wado-ryu Karate-do Federation National Tournament was recently held at the Tokyo Budokan.

Wado-ryu karate is a fusion of traditional Japanese martial arts and Okinawan karate.
Its founder was the first generation Otsuka Hironori Sensei, and it is known as one of the four major styles of karate in Japan.

This year's tournament was the 10th anniversary of the passing down of the Soke to the third generation, Otsuka Hironori Sensei.

I was given the opportunity to visit this tournament by my karate sensei.

What impressed me a lot about the tournament was that they kept some categories for young karate practitioners, but also provided some categories for the other practitioners to utilize and test their Wado-ryu's unique Kumite techniques.

I was also able to watch special demonstrations by Otsuka Sensei and other Sohonbu instructors, which I had been looking forward to.

Otsuka Sensei demonstrated techniques for handling threats with a knife and a sword.

In some styles, dynamic movements excite the audience.

On the other hand, the movements of Wado-ryu instructors are quiet, lean, and rooted in the beauty of use.

I thought it was an experience that calmed my mind and allowed me to touch the depth of things.

Wado-ryu karate is a martial art in which you can feel the beauty of Japanese culture in the quiet and refined movements.

If you have a chance, please experience its world.