Jiro Ohtsuka (Hironori Ohtsuka II)

The son of one of Karate’s true legends, Jiro Ohtsuka had one of the best Karate teachers in his father. He developed into a phenomenal martial artist. He was described as a protector of Wado-Ryu, protecting the legacy passed on to him by his father.

Jiro Ohtsuka was born in Tokyo, Japan in February 1934. He was the second son of Hironori Ohtsuka.

Hironori Ohtsuka established the Dai Nippon Karate-do Shinko Club in 1934. He taught a Karate style based on his studies of Shindo Yoshin Ryu Jujitsu, and what he had learned as a student of Gichin Funakoshi. The style would eventually form the basis of Wado-Ryu Karate.

In 1943 Jiro Ohtsuka began learning Kendo from Sensei Miyata, an army officer. He began learning Karate from his father when he was aged 15. His father groomed him to eventually become his successor.

In 1952 Hironori Ohtsuka established the Wado-Ryu Hombu of Meiji University in Tokyo. Two years later, the Zen Nippon Karate Renmei (All Japan Karate Federation) was established.

After graduating from high school Jiro Ohtsuka enrolled at Meiji University. Several years later he graduated from the university with a degree in Economics.

By 1960 Jiro Ohtsuka was an instructor at the Wado-Ryu Karate Club at Tokyo University. His many students included the likes of Toru Takamizawa.

By 1965 Ohtsuka was married. He and his wife, Aiko’s first son, Kazutaka was born in 1965. Their daughter Riki was born two years later. Their youngest son, Michi was born in 1968.

On 5 June 1967, the Wado-Ryu organisation changed its name to the Wadokai.

Jiro Ohtsuka made his first visit to the United States in 1969. As his father’s designated successor, he frequently represented his and taught around the world.

In 1980 a dispute arose between Hironori Ohtsuka and the Wadokai. This led to him stepping down from the organisation he had founded. Eiichi Eriguchi replaced them as the head of the Wadokai.

On 1 April 1981, Hironori Ohtsuka established the Wadoryu Karatedo Renmei. Several prominent instructors and organisations including Hidetaka Abe, Koji Takamatsu, Hideho Takagi, and Cecil Patterson’s USEEF (United States Eastern Wado-Ryu Karate Federation) followed him to the new organisation.

In June 1981 Hironori Ohtsuka celebrated his 90th birthday. Many top instructors based overseas like Masafumi Shiomitsu, returned to Japan for the celebrations.

Hironori Ohtsuka stepped down as the head of the Wadoryu Karatedo Renmei in November 1981. He appointed his son, Jiro, as a successor.

On 29 January 1982, Hironori Ohtsuka died. To honour his father, Jiro Ohtsuka took the name Hironori Ohtsuka. Also to honour him, he carried on his legacy by following his teachings.

Masafumi Shiomitsu had been teaching in the United Kingdom for many years. Dissatisfied with the direction Wado-Ryu was taking in the UK, he left the UKKW (United Kingdom Karate-Do Wado-Kai). He established a new association called the Wado-Ryu Karate-Do Academy in 1989. Ohtsuka was named the Chairman of the new association.

On 26 June 2015 Jiro (Hironori) Ohtsuka died. His son Kazutaka succeeded him as the head of the Wadoryu Karatedo Renmei. He changed his name to Hironori Ohtsuka III.

Jiro Ohtsuka adhered to the teachings of his father and preserved the legacy passed on to him. As a direct link to his father, he passed on these teachings to a new generation of students. He frequently travelled around the world teaching seminars and courses.