All Wado Karate trainees welcome

by Christina Gutz

Wado Pentecost Training Course 2011 in Berlin

Budo - a way of life

More than 100 participants met at the traditional Wado Pentecost training course 2011 in Berlin. The course was led by Shuzo Imai, 8. Dan, Takamasa Arakawa, 6. Dan, JKF Wadokai Japan and Christina Gutz, 5. Dan.

The training

The training course reflected the whole variety of Wado: Kihon, Kata and Kata-Bunkai, Idori, Kihon Kumite, Ohyo Kumite, self-defence, Tanto Dori and Tachi Dori were taught.

The training consistently covered principles of Budo such as Chushin Tadasu (proper body posture), Kansetsu (joint blocking), Kuzushi (balance breaking), Tai Otoshi (body dropping), Irimi (to carry one´s own energy forward to the attacker) and Tai Sabaki (evasive movements) were consistently trained.

Sensei Gutz

With examples from Kihon Kumite 6 and 7, Takamasa Arakawa placed emphasis on the need for cooperation between partners, who should confide in and connect with each other, giving rise to harmony between partners (Wa): At best, attacker and defender become a solid unit. That is why finding the correct distance between partners is more important than sticking rigidly to certain steps.

With regards to self-defence against knife attacks, Christina Gutz demonstrated that little evasive movements along with Wa-Uke can be the starting point of several effective self-defence strategies. Takamasa Arakawa took up the idea and shared a variety of additional techniques. Both trainers emphasized that the Budo-principles mentioned previously can also be used in self-defense.

The highlight of the training course was Shuzo Imai´s class on Tachi Dori. He demonstrated three possibilities of attack and defence, which trace back directly to Hironori Otsuka (1892 - 1982), the founder of the Wado Ryu. In doing so, Shuzo Imai clearly showed an understanding of the principles of the Wado in general and more particularly, the relation between Kihon Kumite, Tanto Dori and Tachi Dori.

Budo - a way of life

During the training course for trainers and examiners, Takamasa Arakawa reported new developments in Karate in Japan:

In Japan, Karate is a school subject and there are many possibilities to learn Karate at university too. However, often only Competition Karate is taught and many Japanese students stop practising Karate in adulthood.

Imai Sensei left, Arakawa Sensei middle, Sensei Gutz right

Currently, efforts are being made to reintroduce Budo to the Karate education. Karate has the most members of all Budo types. Karate is increasingly offered to elderly people and it turns out that they take much pleasure from it.  Competitions for people over 40 have existed for about ten years. The competitions are open to all styles and approved by the Japanese Ministry of Culture. Generally this approach is successful. Elderly people also visit the school of Takamasa Arakawa. Therefore, in addition to Budo, the health benefits of Karate are gaining importance for trainers and students too. Takamasa Arakawa assured us that once he is back in Japan, he will talk and write about the Berliner Wado Pentecost training course, saying that many elderly people practise Karate with joy and success in Europe.

Dan Exam

The Dan Exam was passed by: Mathias Gäbel (5. Dan), Frank Steffen (4. Dan), László Künsztler (2. Dan), Daniel Steffen (2.Dan), Ildiko Czigány (1. Dan) and Marion Thanner (1. Dan).

Wado Pentecost Training Course 2012

Imai Sensei

Next year there will be another Wado Pentecost training course. We invite all Karateka to come to Berlin to join the training!

prepared by Doug Jepperson

Where do you start with a biography on this man? He has done everything, he is in a league by himself.

For Sensei's biography I will use his own words as much as possible.

Sensei Tatsuo Suzuki from his book a Fullness of Life in Karate....

I was born in Yokohama, Japan in 1928. My father was a fun loving man who enjoyed life to the full. He loved to cook, and owned a large restaurant. It was often hired by businessmen and local dignitaries for private parties where they could eat, drink and be entertained by Geisha.

This all came to and end when we were forced to move to the country to avoid American bombers during the war.  School life was hard, and senior students would often beat the younger children for no reason. It was very militaristic, we looked upon our teachers as gods, I suppose it was just like the Samurai and his Lord.

I desperately wanted to become a soldier but was too young.  I tried to join a naval academy but was rejected due to an eye problem.  In hindsight I was actually quite lucky as they were all training to be Kamikaze pilots but at the time I was devastated.  I was raised with the Bushido code, to die for my emperor and country would have been a great honor.

It was while at school that I had my first taste of martial arts.  We practiced Kendo every day.  When I was 14 years old I met one of my school friends older brother.  He had studied Wado Ryu Karate while at university; from then on whenever he came home I would ask him to teach me.  Eventually he agreed, it was all fighting - nothing technical.

It has been said the times in which we live forge our spirit.  As a young many Sensei Suzuki grew up in a tumultuous Japan. He mentions he was born in 1928, this is only five years after the great earthquake destroyed Tokyo.  This earthquake was so devastating it took ten years to rebuild the city. How much did it affect a young man to spend his first seventeen years in a country at war?  Japan invaded Manchuria in 1931 and Japan's war effort continued throughout Sensei Suzuki's youth until the end of 1945 when he was 17 years old. Then of course we have the post war devastation and poverty Japan suffered for another decade, and we can see how Sensei's Suzuki' iron will was forged. He says this about his experience after the war.

"I decided to learn English and went to the local YMCA where they held classes.  Once there I discovered that they also taught Karate.  I knew that it was Karate that I wanted to do and soon forgot about learning English.  The instructor there was a man called Mr. Kimura.  He was one of Professor Ohtsuka's best students.  Professor Ohtsuka was the founder of Wado Ryu Karate.

The Americans had banned all martial arts so we had to call Karate, Japanese boxing.  I trained at the YMCA for about 6 months before we had to move on.  We would train wherever we could, in gardens or fields, in the rain and snow, anywhere the American's could not find us.  Kimura was a very intelligent man with a very sharp technique.  He was a 5th Dan at the time the highest grade in Japan.

I was fascinated by the way of the warrior and the samurai code.  I read books on Budo, Bushido and Hagkure.  As a boy I dreamt of being a samurai hero.  After the war we were not allowed swords, so I looked for a martial art without weapons.  In Judo it was always the big guy who won, but Karate was different.  With speed, timing and good spirit I could defeat any opponent large or small.

Post-war Japan saw the Japanese people embrace everything American, baseball, coke, Elvis.  I wanted to give the world something Japanese.  I decided to become a great martial artist so I could teach the world about the Japanese spirit.

When I first started I was only training four hours a day that eventually increased to 10.  Everyone thought I was crazy but I believed that to be the best I had to work longer and harder than anyone else.  I would train in a shrine garden near my home until well into the early hours of the morning.  By wearing my gi (the white Karate outfit) I inadvertently started a rumour of a ghost who stalked the shrine at night."

If you would like to read more of Sensei  Suzuki's experiences you can purchase his book, "Fullness of Life in Karate" at the WIKF web site: http://www.wikf.com/store_misc.htm

Some other highlights of his life in Karate include:

Sensei Suzuki was awarded 3^rd Dan when he was only 19 years old

In 1951 at the age of 24 he was awarded the then highest grade in Wado 5^th Dan. He said this was awkward as he was teaching students much older than himself.

At 45 he was awarded his 8th Dan and also in the same year was given the title of Hanshi (Master) by the Emperor's brother and the the International Budo Federation. He was presented with a special silver cup by Higashi Kuni no Miya, the uncle of the late Emperor of Japan.

From 1945 to 1956 he 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 travelled with Ohtsuka Sensei both domestically and internationally performing demonstrations and teaching at the Headquarters and in such places as Hawaii.

From 1956 to 1964 Master 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 in Europe.

In 1989 Master Suzuki felt he had to maintain the essence of Wado Ryu as he understood it so he established the Wado International Karate-Do Federation (WIKF)

In addition to his accomplishments in Karate,  Suzuki Sensei 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. Suzuki Sensei is also a member of the International Budo Academy (IBA) as an Associate Professor and has been award the title Doctor of Philosophy for his life long work and commitment to teaching Wado Ryu Karate.

To summarize we should list Sensei Suzuki's famous students, but we decided it was too difficult to list that many people and we would likely miss someone. If you do not know, he has trained World Champions, Heads of Organizations and thousands and thousands of students all over the world.

WIKF WORLD CHIEF INSTRUCTOR

Sensei Wicks began studying karate from the age of 13 and attained his 1^st Dan (black belt) aged 17. At the age of 50, Sensei Wicks was personally awarded by Master Suzuki - 8^th Dan Hanshi, his own 8^th Dan and became the youngest official Wado-Ryu 8^th Dan black belt in the World.

Sensei Wicks has for many years and continues today to receive private tuition from Master Tatsuo Suzuki - 8^th Dan Hanshi, ensuring that the authentic style of Wado-Ryu is maintained. It was Master Suzuki who originally introduced Wado-Ryu into the UK in 1965. Sensei Wicks has accompanied Master Suzuki on international exhibitions and teaching courses over many years. Master Suzuki, appointed Sensei Wicks WIKF World Chief Instructor in 2009, recognising his expertise and dedication to teaching authentic Wado-Ryu karate in the traditional style.

As well as being personally taught by Master Suzuki, Sensei Wicks has had the honour of training with many Japanese masters, including the notable honour of being taught by Master Hironori Ohtsuka the First. He applies the ethos of authentic Wado-Ryu karate he has leant over his years of training to the way he teaches himself, passing on the knowledge and skills as first taught by Master Ohtsuka.

Sensei Wicks teaches throughout the World. He teaches extensively in Europe, regularly in North America, and has taught in South America, Japan and Australia. Sensei Wicks has even taught and given demonstrations in China with Master Suzuki. Sensei Wicks' aim is to ensure that all clubs and students, worldwide, who want to learn traditional Wado-Ryu are all taught the same authentic techniques as were first taught by Master Ohtsuka the First and subsequently by Master Suzuki and now Sensei Jon Wicks. Sensei Wicks is the Principal Instructor for the International Leaders courses and on many Regional courses. He also grades students to all levels, from beginners to the highest Dan grade students.

Sensei Wicks has a very strong kumite pedigree, having competed in national and international championships over a number of years, winning all the major Wado-Ryu titles including; World Championships, European Championships - Individuals 4 times and team 8 times, Wado Cup and multiple National championships. He has also had the honour of being England Team Captain to the victorious teams in both World Championships and European Championships - 8 times winners.

Sensei Wicks is the head of the Su-Ha-Ri Wado-Ryu Karate School which was founded in the early 1970's by the late Sensei Mick Robins, who himself was a loyal student of Master Suzuki. He has developed and grown the school to over 20 clubs throughout the South of England, and has in excess of 100 black belt students, all taught personally by him in the authentic style. The School follows in Sensei's footsteps with regards to Kumite, having produced many World, European and National champions at all age groups, and continues to do so today.