Wado-ryu Karate-Do translates into school for the way of peace. There are currently four main styles of Karate-Do recognised in the world today. These styles are Shotokan, Goju-Ryu, Shito-Ryu and Wado-Ryu. There are countless other Ryu but these four are considered to be the primary source of traditional Karate-Do. Wado-Ryu is the fastest moving of all the classical Ryu. Our stances are considerably higher and all of our movements are based on the conservation of energy. The other main discerning factor is the Wado schools utilization of Nagashi or evasion. Most styles work on a completely linear basis (forward, back, left and right). Ohstuka Sensei taught the principle of a bamboo bending in the wind. The supple bamboo reed will be bowed down by the wind but will not break, only spring back to it's original form. Therefor if the Karate-Ka is too rigid he may break, he must be like the bamboo and allow himself to flow around an attack. As described by Sensei Masafumi Shiomitsu, 8th Dan Hanshi, Wado-Ryu may be considered a synthesis of four elements: Shurite karatedo, Shindo Yoshin Ryu jujutsu, Toda-Ryu kodachi, and Yagyu-Ryu kenjutsu. To the linear techniques of Shurite are added the body movement principles and grappling techniques of Shinto Yoshin-Ryu, the nagasu techniques of Toda-Ryu (which is a system of fighting with short sword against longer weapons), and the movement and flow of Yagyu-Ryu style of swordsmanship. From these sources are defined several principles which are fundamental and particular to Wado-Ryu. Master Ohtsuka intentionally made his karate as Japanese as possible. He also discarded techniques, which he felt were ineffective and added much of his jujutsu technique. In 1934, when required to name his martial art, Ohtsuka submitted the name The Karate Promotion Club. In 1940, when requested to submit an official name by the Butokakai, a governing body for Japanese martial arts, Master Ohtsuka devised the name Shinshu Wado Jujutsu. This was later shortened to Wado. The term wa means peace or harmony, but it also represents Japan as a shortened form of Showa, which was the name for the era of Emperor Hirohito. Originally the style was referred to as Wadokai, which is “Wado-style”, but upon becoming a hereditary system, the name became Wado-Ryu. Master Ohtsuka's submission to the Butokukai contained a comprehensive syllabus but later he decided to exclude many of these techniques as redundant. Due to Master Ohtsuka's commitment and innovation of technique, Wado-Ryu has rapidly become one of the most popular karate systems throughout the world, and its early acceptance of jiyu kumite has enabled it to be very successful in competition. The emphasis on developing the whole body through regular exercise and training make karate an excellent means of promoting good general health, and the application of the self defense techniques builds confidence and promotes personal security. Ohtsuka Sensei, who died in January 1982, once said, "The difference between the possible and the impossible is one's will." He practiced karate daily until his death at the age of 89
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