Jiro Otsuka, Master of Wado Ryu Karate.
February 24, 1934 – June 26, 2015
Jiro Otsuka was born on February 24, 1934 in Tokyo, Japan. He graduated from Meiji University in Tokyo, Japan, receiving a degree in Economics. Otsuka and his wife, Aiko have three children: Kazutaka, born in 1965, a daughter Riki, born in 1967 and younger son Michi, born in 1968. Kazutaka has trained in Iaido, Judo and Wado and is presently the chief instructor at the main dojo in Tokyo, Riki has trained in Iaido and Wado
Jiro began his training in Wado Ryu karate at the age of fifteen. He has trained in Iaido, Kendo, Judo, Aikido, Kenpo, Shindo Yoshin Ryu Jujitsu and Wado. A unique feature of Wado Ryu is that the position of Grand Master is still handed down from the current Master to the next generation family member who is most deserving of the title. This hereditary system was once prevalent in ancient Japan but is not seen today.
In 1982, upon the death of his father, he took over as head master and president of the International Wado Ryu Karate Do organization. He also assumed his father’s name. His commitment is “To strive to achieve his father’s greatness.” His number one concern for the future of the martial arts, is that, we need to develop more students of character. Under his supervision there are presently over 1,000 dojos, with a membership of 40,000, throughout the world.
