Kiryoku Karate

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Club History

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Wado Ryu Style

Wado-ryu is a school of karate founded in 1934 by Hironori Ohtsuka.

Hironori Ohtsuka

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Tatsuo Suzuki

Born in Yokohama, Japan in 1928 Tatsuo Suzuki studied Kendo from an early age, and was introduced to karate at 14. Within 6 years, he was awarded 3rd Dan.

From 1945 through to 1956 Suzuki received direct instruction from the founder of Wado Ryu, Hironori Ohtsuka Sensei at the Wado Ryu Headquarters. Thereafter, as Ohtsuka Sensei's most senior student, he traveled across Japan and internationally performing demonstrations and teaching. In 1951, at only 24 he was awarded the then highest grade in Wado-Ryu, 5th Dan for his outstanding courage and ability.

From 1956 to 1964 Sensei Suzuki founded the first Wado Federation in England and from his base in London he spread Wado Ryu throughout Europe. Overcoming many difficulties, he brought senior students from Japan, taught them how to be instructors and sent them to various European countries. Within just a few years Wado Ryu became the most popular style practiced in Europe.

In 1973, he was awarded his 8th Dan and in the same year given the title of Hanshi (Master) by the international Budo Federation and was presented with a special silver cup by Higashi Kuni no Miya, the uncle of the late Emperor of Japan.

In 1991 Sensei Suzuki took over from Ohtsuka Sensei in protecting the essence of Wado Ryu and established the Wado International Karate-Do Federation (WIKF).

In addition to his accomplishments in Karate, Sensei Suzuki is a 2nd Dan in Tenshin Koryu Bo-Jitsu (stick fighting) and a 1st Dan in Judo. He has also studied Zen doctrine with the high priests, the late Genpo Yamamoto and Soyen Nakagawa. In 2005, at an Instructor course in Holland, Sensei Suzuki was awarded a philosophy doctorate by the International Budo Academy.

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