Wadoryu Karate
Karate is a martial art based on the positive principles of courtesy, respect and discipline. Wado-ryu karate is a traditional Japanese system which employs both karate and Shintoyoshinkai jiu-jitsu. It is an excellent activity for the whole family. Men, women and children can all benefit from our highly structured curriculum. Fitness, self-defense skills, goal-setting and an increased sense of self esteem develop as you go through the various belt levels. Your confidence, enthusiasm and stamina will soar with our unique, all-inclusive program.
We offer a diverse schedule which accommodates today's busy life style. Our adult noon class caters to those working at night and our family classes allow parents and children to train together! We are sure you will be pleased with our 'unlimited training schedule'. You have the flexibility to choose when and how often you work out and therefore you determine how fast you can progress. Belts are awarded on an 'ability' type basis. Curriculum belt sheets aid you in gauging your progress. Belt tests are scheduled approximately every six weeks. Testing is both fun and challenging. It is a big deal at our school and you will feel empowered every time you move up the belt ladder to the ultimate goal of black belt. Junior black belts are awarded to those under the age of 16.
Weapons training rounds out our curriculum in the intermediate belt levels. We use the traditional bo staff as our weapon of choice. It is practical and useful in nearly every setting.
Tournament competition is encouraged. The Florida Karate Center has an active tournament team who love the thrill of competition. Many of our students have achieved great success on the tournament circuit. Some have even gone abroad to compete on the U.S. team in countries such as Japan, Okinawa, Scotland, Hungary and Germany.
Continuing education is paramount for the instructors at the Florida Karate Center. Because we love what we do, the learning never ends. We attend martial arts seminars throughout the year to keep our skills tuned and to offer our students a well rounded martial arts education by having well rounded instructors with fresh, progressive ideas. We also host seminars at our school with world-renowned guest instructors. You will never get bored or feel stagnant with your growth here. Our goal is to constantly stimulate our students with a plethora of knowledge.
The sky is the limit on what you can achieve at the Florida Karate Center. Join us soon for a one month introductory membership. It may just change your life!
The Origin of Wado-Ryu Karate
Master Hironori Otsuka, the founder of Wado-Ryu, was born on June 1, 1892. He began his martial arts training at the age of six, practicing ju-jitsu under the instruction of his father. Several years later he began his formal training by enrolling in the Shinto-Yoshin school of ju-jitsu, which stressed kicking and striking techniques, in contrast to the throwing techniques of most ju-jitsu styles.
He studied in the school under Master Nakayama, for 16 years. At the age of 29 he was presented a certificate of “full proficiency” and accepted the mastership of the Shinto-Yoshin school of ju-jitsu. In 1922, Master Otsuka met Gichin Funakoshi, an Okinawan karate master who would later become known as the “The Founder of Modern Day Karate.” Master Funakoshi had been sent to Japan by a council of Okinawan karate masters in order to introduce karate to the Japanese. After witnessing an impressive demonstration by Master Funakoshi, Master Otsuka began studying this new art of karate with him.
After 1930, Master Otsuka went increasingly on his own, and in 1934 inaugurated his own style of karate by altering some of the Shotokan movements learned from Master Funakoshi, and incorporating some of the movement from the Shinto-Yoshin school. Master Otsuka created a style of karate with the major physical characteristics of speed, mobility, efficiency, and of course effectiveness. The ultimate goal of the style however, is to be a vehicle for developing harmony within oneself and with others.
In 1940, Master Otsuka finally devised the present name of the style, Wado-Ryu, which means “Way of Peace,” or “Way of Harmony.” In keeping of this he chose the dove and the fist as the symbol of his style (the dove representing peace and the fist representing strength). Master Otsuka believed that one's peaceful nature should be developed along with one's strength, and peaceful nature should be the controlling nature in the use of our martial skills.
On January 31, 1982, at the age of 89, Master Otsuka passed away. The inspiration of what he created, and the things that he stood for, still live on today as his teachings are continually passed on from instructors to student.
In the words of Master Otsuka:
“The difference between the impossible and the possible is one's will.”
