1. Karate begins with courtesy and ends with courtesy.

2. There is no first attack in karate.

3. Karate is an aid to justice.

4. First control yourself before attempting to control others.

5. Spirit first, technique second.

6. Always be ready to release your mind.

7. Accidents arise from negligence.

8. Do not think that karate training is only in the dojo.

9. It will take your entire life to learn karate, there is no limit.

10. Put your everyday living into karate and you will find 'MYO' (The subtle secrets)

11. Karate is like boiling water, if you do not heat it constantly it will cool.

12. Do not think you have to win, rather that you do not have to lose.

13. Victory depends on your ability to distinguish vulnerable points from invulnerable ones.

14. The battle is according to how you move guarded and unguarded.(Move according to your opponent).

15. Think of your hands and feet as weapons.

16. When you leave home, think you have numerous opponents waiting for you. It is your behavior that invites trouble for them.

17. Beginners must master low stances and posture, natural body positions are for the advanced.

18. Practicing a kata is one thing, engaging in a real fight is another.

19. Do not forget to correctly apply; strength and weakness of power, stretching and contraction of the body and slowness and speed of techniques.

20. Always think and devise ways to live the precepts every day.       

Wado-Ryu karate started in 1934 when Hironori Ohtsuka registered the style of karate he had developed. Mr Ohtsuka had spent had spent much time studying many martial arts. He combined his knowledge of these arts with his own ideas and innovations to develop the style we know as Wado-Ryu.

Hironori Ohtsuka was born on the 1st June 1892, and was first introduced to martial arts by a family member who began teaching him Jujitsu.

Ohtsuka continued his study of Jujitsu at school. He was made aware, through his study of Jujitsu, of the importance of natural flowing movements, which were the essence of Jujitsu. these lessons stayed with Ohtsuka and formed the basis of his style of katate, that is Wado-Ryu. The foundations of Wado-Ryu are based around the principle of minimum movement for maximum effect. An exponent of Wado-Ryu will learn to use his opponents body weight and movement to his own advantage.

Ohtsuka continued his study of Jujitsu at university between 1910 and 1917. During these years he experimented with different forms of Jujitsu as well as examine many other martial arts. At this time he began to look mat ways to improve certain area if his art, whilst combining them with other innovations.

On the 1st June 1920 Mr Ohtsuka was awarded the highest degree in Shindo Yosin Ryu Jujitsu, and he followed his own teacher to become Grand Master.

In 1922 Ohtsuka was introduced to Gichin Funakoshi, the founder of modern karate. They spent many hours discussing techniques and various aspects of karate. Very quickly, Ohtsuka had learnt the kata's from Funakoshi. Some moves very difficult to understand, leading Ohtsuka to study further the practice of karate. He went on to study kata under Sensei Mabuni, the founder of Shuto Ryu. 

By 1925 Ohtsuka was both the Chief instructor of Shindo Yoshin Ryu Jujitsu and an assistant instructor at Funakoshi sensei's dojo, and by the year 1929, Ohtsukla was registered as a member of the Japan Martial Arts federation.

At this point, Okinawan karate was only concerned with the practice of kata. Ohtsuka felt that the true budo spitrit was missing. He felt that karate should concentrate on both attack and defense. This led to Ohtsuka developing Yakusoko Kumite as a way to develop attacking techniques.  

It was Ohtsuka's belief that karate should be more fluid than the styles practiced at that time. Ohtsuka decided that the time was right to leave Funakoshi and develop his own system of karate , namely Wado-Ryu. 

In 1934 Wado-Ryu was officially recognized as an independent style of karate. This breakthrough allowed Ohtsuka sensei to become a full time karate and martail artist. The following year Kano sensei, the founder of Judo, recommended that karate be accepted as a martial art by the Japan Martial Arts Federation. In the early stages this was only as a satalight of Judo.   

The major breakthrough for karate came at the end of the 1930's. in 1938 Ohtsuku sesnei gave a demonstration of Wado to the Japan Martial Arts Federation, who recognized him as an official high ranking sensei. The following year the different schools of karate were asked to register their names, and Ohtsuka registered the name 'Wado-Ryu'. In 1944 Ohtsuku sensei was appointed Japans Chief karate coach. It was at5 this time time that Ohtsuka's son began to recieve instruction from his father.

Karate remained upon the Japanses Islands until the early 1960's. In 1963 a team of 3 Japanese sensei left Japan to introduce karate to the western world. These men were, Mr. Arakawa, Mr Takashima and Mr T. Suzuki. Thanks to these 3 men, Wado-Ryu karate has now become recognized throughout the western world.  

Ohtsuka continued to promote is art, and in 1966 his dedication was rewarded when he received an honour from Emperor Horohito. He was awarded the title, 'Kun Goto Suokuo Kyoku Jujitsu Shou'. Ohtsuka and his team continued to promote Wado worldwide, and by the beginning of the 1970's Wado-Ryu was firmly established as a major school of karate.  

One of Ohtsuka sensei's most covereted awards came in 1972. The president of the Internatioinal Martial Arts Federation, who was also a member of the Japanese royal family, awarded Ohtsuka the title 'Meijin'. (The first excellent martial artist in karate, ie 10th dan).  

As we moved into the 1980's there was much debate as to who would eventually succeed Ohtsuka as the head of Wado. Ohtsuka himself wanted his son to take over, but this was not the choise of some high ranking Wado-Ryu instructors. Opinion was divided, and even after much debate no settlement could be reached. This led to some Wado exponents breaking away to form their own association practicing Wado-Ryu karate.  

On the 20th November 1981 Ohtsuka passed on the title of Grand Master of Wado-Ryu to his son, Ohtsuka 2nd. Ohtsuka sensei died peacefully on 19th January 1982, 2 months after handing the title to his son.

Ohtsuka will always be remembered through Wado-Ryu karate. Through Wado-Ryu the BWKU hope to pass on Ohtskua's legacy to future generations.