Karate do is a way to live one’s life.
The ultimate aim of karate is to develop students, not only in terms of health and combative skills, but also in terms of character. Training will help the student to become more focused, self-confident, self-aware, strategic, pro-active, and disciplined. For the student interested in the art of karate, the basic techniques taught give a solid foundation for advanced study and practical self-defence.
Originally developed as an unarmed form of self-defence from the internationally influenced arts of Okinawa, karate is a complete martial arts system that emphasizes strikes, kicks and blocks. Wado, the way of harmony, was developed through karate’s fusion with Japanese jiujutsu to include joint locks, pressure points and throws.
Funakoshi Gichin Sensei who systematized and popularized this Okinawan martial art introduced karate first to Japan and then the world. Funakoshi developed the name of karate (empty hand) to reflect the unarmed combat system of Okinawa, which was a result of intermingling international martial arts, primarily from China, with regional ones.
From Funakoshi, the modern concept of karate has developed into five major schools of which Wado Ryu is one. Developed by Otsuka Hironori Sensei, who included techniques from his training in Japanese Shindo Yoshin Ryu jiujutsu, the way of harmony (Wado) has continued to evolve into the martial art in which we train today.
Karate is not for everyone. It takes patience, dedication, effort and focus. Those who are able to persist in our training environment become resilient. A black belt in our system is not easy to achieve and few have the resilience to complete the journey only to realize that a black belt is not a destination, it is an ongoing journey.