CWR Karate Club, founded in 2003 in Thornton Heath, is dedicated to the teachings of Wado Ryu, a style of Karate with a rich history and deep philosophical roots. The club aims to provide a nurturing and inclusive environment for individuals of all ages and skill levels to learn and master the art of Karate.
The story of Wado Ryu began in May 1934 when Hironori Ohtsuka, the founder of Wado Ryu, registered the style as his own, and it was recognised as an independent style. However, its origins can be traced back to Ohtsuka's continuous study of all martial arts, where he combined his own innovations and natural movements found in other martial arts to formulate the techniques of Wado Ryu.
Born on June 1st, 1892, in Shimodate City, Japan, Ohtsuka's journey into the world of martial arts started when he was introduced to Jujitsu by his great uncle, Chojiro Ebashi. This ignited a lifelong passion and obsession with martial arts for Ohtsuka. He furthered his martial arts education by studying Shindo Yoshin Ryu Jujitsu under the guidance of Shinzaburo Nakayama, the third Grand Master of this style.
One of the key aspects of Wado Ryu is its emphasis on the nature and grace of movement, inspired by Yoshitoki Akiyama Sensei's observation of the willow tree's ability to yield to outside forces without damage. Ohtsuka was deeply influenced by this idea and incorporated it into the core principles of natural and flowing movements in Wado Ryu Karate.
During his time at Waseda University from 1910 to 1917, where he studied commerce, Ohtsuka continued his studies of Shindo Yoshin Ryu Jujitsu. He also explored and experimented with different styles of Jujitsu, focusing on their positive qualities. This extensive exposure to various martial arts allowed Ohtsuka to develop and improve techniques, combining them with innovative approaches.
Ohtsuka's passion for martial arts led him to meet Morihei Ueshiba, the founder of Aikido, in 1917. This encounter marked the beginning of a deep and influential friendship between the two martial artists. Ohtsuka decided to pursue a career as a full-time martial artist and was awarded the highest degree of Shindo Yoshin Ryu Jujitsu in 1920, which allowed him to succeed his master's position as the fourth Grand Master.
In 1922, Ohtsuka came across Karate for the first time during the sports festival in Tokyo. Gichin Funakoshi, the founder of Okinawan Karate (Tode), was invited by the Japanese Education Department to demonstrate his style. Ohtsuka was impressed by the spirit and techniques of Karate and visited Funakoshi on numerous occasions to further discuss and learn from him.
The influence of Funakoshi and other martial artists led Ohtsuka to develop his own style of Karate, ultimately founding Wado Ryu. Today, CWR Karate Club proudly continues Ohtsuka's legacy by providing high-quality instruction in Wado Ryu Karate to students of all ages and abilities. The club values the principles of discipline, respect, and personal growth, instilling in its members not only the physical skills of Karate but also promoting mental and spiritual well-being.
Whether you are a beginner or an experienced practitioner, CWR Karate Club welcomes you to join their community and embark on a journey of self-discovery and mastery of the martial arts.