Practice the Way of the Empty Hand to become as an empty vessel. This is so that you may take natural courses of action, like water, that you may find the path of least resistance. This is in order to better understand and utilize your nature, as it relates to the universe, and universal truth.
Practice the Way of Peace and Harmony in every way possible. Strength (the hand) of mind, body, and soul is a tool for peace and harmony (the dove). Peace and harmony give strength meaning.
Life, like the ocean, is an ebb and tide, a give and take. Learn to subside and crash upon the shores of life. Study, recover, train, become…Then give it all back. This all relates to not just combat, but life itself.
Like the ecosystem, people all depend on each other. Do not hesitate to plant a good seed. Though "an eye for an eye" makes the world blind, a favor for a favor makes the world a garden.
In your search for peace, harmony, and truth, strip away the unessential. Make leaps of faith; give it all your best effort. Do not ever hesitate, or stop learning. Reach to the bottom of the lake of your soul. I believe in you. I wish you the best, and God bless you.
A brief history of Karate is detailed in my other articles. Outlined here is a basic lineage. Any further worthwhile information is accepted and appreciated.
Sokon Matsumura
Student of Kong Su Kung/Kushanku and Sakugawa
Matsumura taught Okinawan Shuri-te which later became known as Shorin-Ryu. This form was a combination of Sakugawa's tode, and Kong Su Kung's Chinese Boxing.
Yasutsune Itosu
Student of Sokon Matsumura
Itosu-sensei continued Shorin-Ryu as it was originally taught by Matsumura-sensei.
Kanryo Higaonna
He practiced and taught the Naha-te style which became known as Shorei-Ryu (influenced directly by Zhao Long Liu, a Chinese martial art). After his death, Shorei-ryu was continued by Chojun Miyagi, who later formulated it into Goju-Ryu.
Kosanku Matsumora
He practiced and taught Tomari-te.
Other practitioners and styles at/around the time:
Hohan Sokan, founder of Matsumuro Seito
Chotoku Kyan, founder of Shobayashi-Ryu
Chosin Chibana, founder of Kobayashi-Ryu
Shosin Nagamine, founder of Matsubayashi-Ryu
Joen Nakazato, founder of Shorinji-Ryu
Kanbun Uechi, founder of Uechi-Ryu
Motubi-Ryu, a family style
Isshin-Ryu, founded by Tatsuo Shimabuku.
Toon-Ryu, founded by Juhatsu Kiyoda.
Shito-Ryu, founded by Kenwa Mabuni.
Okinawan Kempo, a combination of Shuri-te, Naha-te, and Tomari-te, founded by Shigeru Nalamura.
Gichin Funakoshi
Student of Yasutsune Itosu and Sokon Matsumura
The father of modern karate-do, Funakoshi-sensei founded Shotokan Karate-do in the 1920's after popularizing his martial art in Japan. He originally studied under not only Matsumura and Itosu-sensei but a number of other masters, whom Funakoshi talks about in detail in his Karate-do: My Way of Life.
Choki Motobu
Student of Soken Matsumura and Anko Itosu of Shuri, Kosaku Matsumora of Tomari, and possibly Tokumine
His teaching methods primarily consisted of Naihanchi kata for kihon (basics), and kumite. He stressed up-close fighting.
Hironori Ohtsuka
Student of Gichin Funakoshi
Founder of Wado-Ryu Karate-do, Ohtsuka-sensei developed the style as a blend of the basics and kata of Shotokan Karate, the rugged practicality and natural movements of Shindo Yoshin-ryu Jiu Jitsu, and the fluidity and peacefulness of Aikido. The Wado-Ryu symbol represents peace encompassing strength.
In the months leading to his retirement, he decided that his son was to succeed him as grandmaster of Wado-Ryu. However, some of the higher level Wado-Ryu Karateka were not in favor of this decision. Negotiations took place, but no agreement could be reached as to the next grandmaster. As a result, some of the karateka split off to form their own associations.
Hironori Ohtsuka II (Ohtsuka Jiro)
Son & Student of Hironori Ohtsuka
Months before his father's death, he and a group split from Japan Karate Federation-Wadokai. His split is named Wadoryu Renmei. It is regarded as a private group. In 1989 a new split occurred. Suzuki Tatsuo, resident in London, founded Inter-national Wadoryu Federation. Apparently, Jiro misappropriated organizational funds and was kicked out of JKF-Wadokai. There is documentation supporting this, although the succession argument is the one most backed by Jiro as to the split.
Hironori Ohtsuka III
Grandson of Hironori Ohtsuka Tatsao Suzuki
Senior Student of Hironori Ohtsuka
Founder of International Wadoryu Federation
Suzuki sensei was one of the primary influences in spreading
Wado throughout Europe. As a result, Wado is currently the most widely practiced form of karate in Britain.
Kiyohisa Hirano-soke
Student of Hironori Ohtsuka
Founder of Japan International Karate Center
Hirano-soke founded Heiwa-do, his interpretation of Wado-Ryu Karate-do. It also blends in ideas from Shotokan, Shito-Ryu, and Goju-Ryu, as well as Aikido, Iaido, and Judo. The basic strategy
and philosophies are classical Wado-Ryu.
Shotokan's scientific approach to body physics helps students grasp instruction more easily. Shito's efficiency & superior stances are also adopted. Also integrated into the movements are Goju-Ryu's dynamic breathing methods.
The name Heiwa-do uses the first kanji (Japanese set of Chinese loanwords) of Hirano (Hira, or Hei) & the 1st character from Wado (Wa). The do in Heiwa-do translates to The Way. Heiwa-do's name was created out of respect for its origins in Wado-Ryu. Heiwa also happens to be the Japanese word for peace; therefore Heiwa-do literally means The Way of Peace.
Author Resource:-
The author lives in Lake City, South Carolina, where he teaches at his Wado ryu Karate school. For more information on karate classes and more, please visit the Johnston Wado ryu Karate home page.
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