The Wado Karate Coalition honors the contributions of the great Japanese masters of Wado-Ryu Karate, recognizing their shared bond and setting aside politics and rivalry to appreciate their individual and collective impact on the style.
At the heart of Wado-Ryu lies the teachings of its founder, Hironori Ohtsuka Sensei, and the lineage of Japanese masters who have carried his legacy forward. Whether through competition, education, or international outreach, these practitioners have upheld the art’s core principles, ensuring that Wado-Ryu remains true to its origins. Our commitment is to preserve and respect their legacies, uniting their teachings under one harmonious vision of Wado-Ryu Karate for practitioners worldwide.
Hironori Ohtsuka I, 10th Dan
Saiko Shihan (1892–1982)
Hironori Ohtsuka Sensei founded and created Wado-Ryu Karate, one of Japan’s foremost martial arts styles. A dedicated martial artist from a young age, Otsuka Sensei began training in Jujutsu before studying Okinawan Shurite Karate under Gichin Funakoshi Sensei. In 1934, he combined his deep knowledge of traditional Jujutsu with Karate techniques to create Wado-Ryu, meaning “Way of Peace and Harmony.” Unlike other karate styles, Wado-Ryu emphasizes natural movement, fluidity, and blending simultaneous evasion, attack, and defense techniques rather than confrontation. Ohtsuka Sensei’s unique vision transformed martial arts, highlighting not just self-defense but the spiritual and philosophical aspects of practice. Hironori Ohtsuka was awarded the title of Meijin, which means “Master of Masters” or “Grand Master,” in 1966 by the Japanese government through the Martial Arts Federation. He was the only karateka (karate practitioner) ever awarded the title of Meijin by the Japanese government. This unique honor highlighted his profound impact on martial arts and recognized his status as a founder and innovator within the karate world. The title of Meijin is rarely given and is typically reserved for individuals who have made extraordinary contributions to Japanese martial arts. Today, Wado-Ryu is practiced worldwide, carrying on Ohtsuka Sensei’s legacy of harmony and skill.
Jiro Ohtsuka, 10th Dan
(Hironori Otsuka II, Saiko Shihan,1934–2015)
Jiro Ohtsuka Sensei was the second Grandmaster of Wado-Ryu Karate, carrying forward the legacy of his father, Hironori Ohtsuka I. Immersed in martial arts from an early age, he dedicated his life to refining and spreading Wado-Ryu worldwide. Under his leadership, the style continued to evolve, maintaining its emphasis on harmony, fluidity, and the integration of Jujutsu principles with traditional Karate. Jiro Otsuka Sensei upheld the values of the art while expanding its reach, training instructors globally and ensuring that Wado-Ryu remained true to its roots. He was a prominent figure in the international martial arts community and received the title “Meijin,” symbolizing his mastery and profound contribution to Wado-Ryu Karate. His dedication and vision solidified Wado-Ryu’s place as a unique and respected martial art across the world.
Masafumi Shiomitsu 9th Dan, Hanshi (Retired)
Masafumi Shiomitsu Sensei is one of the most respected and influential figures in Wado-Ryu Karate. Born in 1940 in Kagoshima, Japan, he trained under the founder, Hironori Otsuka I, and became one of the foremost exponents of the art. He was revered for his indomitable fighting spirit, fluidity of movement, and natural power. With his deep understanding of Wado principles and dedication to passing the knowledge to a new generation, Shiomitsu Sensei played a pivotal role in spreading Wado-Ryu throughout Europe, the USA, Canada, and the world. His teaching emphasized not just the technical aspects of Wado but also the philosophical and spiritual essence. With his high rank and profound contributions to Wado-Ryu, Shiomitsu Sensei earned international recognition and respect, mentoring generations of students and preserving the core principles and traditions of the style until, in 2013, a severe illness ended his teaching career.
Tatsuo Suzuki, 8th Dan Hanshi (1928–2011)
Tatsuo Suzuki Sensei was a prominent Wado-Ryu Karate master and the first true international ambassador of the art. A direct student of founder Hironori Ohtsuka, Suzuki Sensei was known for his no-nonsense approach, pushing his students to their best and playing a pivotal role in spreading Wado-Ryu globally. He began his training in 1942 and quickly rose through the ranks, achieving 5th Dan by the age of 24. In 1965, Suzuki Sensei moved to England, establishing Wado-Ryu Karate and becoming the driving force behind its growth across Europe and beyond. His robust and precise style, combined with his dedication to Ohtsuka’s principles, earned him immense respect from practitioners worldwide. As the first international “ambassador” of Wado Karate, Suzuki Sensei traveled tirelessly, founding the United Kingdom Karate-Do Wado-Kai (UKKW) and later the Wado International Karate-Do Federation (WIKF) to safeguard Ohtsuka Sensei’s teachings. He authored “Karate-do” and became renowned for his seminars, ensuring Wado-Ryu was widely practiced.
Teruo Kono, 8th Dan, Hanshi
(1934–2000)
Teruo Kono Sensei was a highly influential Wado-Ryu Karate master renowned for his robust and powerful style, who played a pivotal role in spreading Wado-Ryu across Europe. A direct student of Wado founder Hironori Ohtsuka, Kono Sensei started his martial arts journey with Shotokan before transitioning to Wado-Ryu at Nihon University, where he trained intensively under Ohtsuka Sensei. A highly skilled competitor, he won the first two All Japan Wado-Ryu Championships and served as the National Coach of Japan. In 1965, Kono moved to Germany to teach Wado-Ryu, where he quickly earned immense respect from students not only in Germany but across Europe. He had a unique talent for integrating his deep knowledge of Jujutsu with Wado Karate, reinforcing the original principles of Wado and enhancing the effectiveness of his techniques. Kono Sensei’s teaching was instrumental in establishing Wado-Ryu in Holland, Belgium, and Yugoslavia. He was awarded the prestigious 8th Dan in Jujutsu and the Hanshi title, leaving a lasting legacy as a masterful teacher, respected mentor, and key figure in European martial arts.
Hideho Takagi, 8th Dan
(1942–2018)
Hideho Takagi Sensei was an influential Wado-Ryu Karate master renowned for his exceptional speed and accuracy of movement. A long-serving JKF Wadokai Technical Committee chairman, Takagi Sensei was born in Manchuria, China, during the Japanese occupation, returning to Japan in 1953. He began his Wado-Ryu journey at Nihon University in 1966, training directly under founder Hironori Ohtsuka. While studying at Nihon Dental College, he continued to refine his Karate skills, becoming known for his technical prowess and fluidity. In 1981, after the original Wado-Ryu organization split, Takagi Sensei aligned himself with the JKF Wadokai, where he rose to prominence, eventually chairing the Technical Committee. A practicing dentist, Takagi balanced his profession with his Karate duties, conducting seminars worldwide and spreading his deep knowledge of Wado-Ryu. He was known for his warm teaching style, always instructing with a smile. At the time of his death, he was 8th Dan, a member of the JKF Wadokai Board, and a respected leader in the Wado-Kai community.
Shingo Ohgami, 8th Dan
(1941–2021)
Shingo Ohgami Sensei was a distinguished Wado-Ryu Karate master who played a pivotal role in developing Wado Karate across Sweden and Europe. Born in Japan, he began training in karate in 1961 at Todai University under the instruction of Hironori Ohtsuka Sensei, the founder of Wado-Ryu. Moving to Sweden in 1969 as a guest researcher in cellulose chemistry, Ohgami Sensei soon devoted himself fully to karate, founding the Samurai Dojo Karate Club. He later established the Swedish Karatedo Wadokai (SKW) and co-founded the Federation of Wadokai Europe (FEW), significantly advancing Wado Karate’s presence in Europe. Graded to 8th Dan in 2009, Ohgami Sensei was a passionate advocate of lifelong training and Budo. He authored two well-regarded books, “Karate Katas of Wado-Ryu” and “Introduction to Karate”, which have become essential resources for practitioners worldwide. His dedication to teaching, research, and the philosophy of karate left an enduring legacy.
Sadaharu Kurobane, 8th Dan (1942–2018)
Sadaharu Kurobane Sensei was a highly respected Wado-Ryu Karate master and the chief instructor at Denwakan in Denver, Colorado. An 8th-degree black belt with over fifty years of martial arts experience, Kurobane began his journey in martial arts with judo as a child but transitioned to karate in high school. While at Nihon University, he served as deputy captain of the Karate Club alongside Masafumi Shiomitsu Sensei and was a member of the championship Wado-Kai team in 1962 and 1963. In 1970, he moved to Colorado to promote cultural exchange, founding the Denver Japanese Karate Center (later Denwakan) and becoming an influential instructor. A certified international instructor and tournament judge with the Japan Karate Federation, Kurobane Sensei emphasized the community and mutual responsibility of karate training. Known for his exceptional teaching, dedication to cultural exchange, and commitment to the core principles of Wado-Ryu, he inspired generations of students, bridging the traditions of Japan and the U.S. with deep passion and integrity.
Toru Takamazawa, 7th Dan Kyoshi (1942–1998)
Toru Takamizawa Sensei was a highly respected Wado-Ryu Karate master and one of the key pioneers of Karate in Europe. Born in Nagano Prefecture, Japan, he initially gained his 1st Dan in Judo by age 15. After entering the Tokyo University of Foreign Studies on a scholarship, he studied Wado-Ryu Karate under Jiro Ohtsuka Sensei and his father, Hironori Ohtsuka Sensei, the style’s founder. Takamizawa Sensei quickly progressed to 2nd Dan, becoming captain of his university’s Karate team in his final year. In 1966, as a 3rd Dan, he moved to Britain to assist Tatsuo Suzuki Sensei in spreading Wado-Ryu, helping establish the art in Wales and across the UK. He later founded the Temple Karate Centre in Birmingham and became a British citizen in 1975. In the 1980s, he formed the Takamizawa Institute of Karate and later joined the Wado-Ryu Karate-Do Academy. Awarded 7th Dan Kyoshi, Takamizawa Sensei was known for his deep knowledge, modesty, and lasting impact on European Karate.