Wado-Ryu Karate-Do, one of the four major styles of traditional Karate.

Wado-Ryu boasts a rich history of its own and has evolved as a unique style of Budo. It incorporates a mix of Ju-Jutsu and elements of Ken-Jutsu and Okinawan Karate, distinguishing itself from other Karate styles.

Ura-no-Kumite is one of the manifestation of the unique nature of Wado-Ryu. In this DVD, the Wado-Ryu Karate-Do Third Generation Grandmaster Hironori Otsuka walks us through each of the 24 Ura-no-Kumite combinations in great detail.

Unlike competition Karate training, this unique method of traditional Budo practice has only been taught to practitioners in the Honbu Dojo in Tokyo. The training showed in this DVD focuses on cultivating precision of technique and impact of striking by utilizing inner muscle groups and the body to generate power efficiently. This method is based on principles of anatomy and is explained here in an easily-understood manner.

The training shown here also aims to improve the quality of technique and gives practitioners the ability to break their opponent’s center of gravity and maximize the power of their strikes from a close range.

Wado-Ryu pursues the rationality and essence of technique. It is useful for building core strength and fostering efficient movement that can be applied in any martial art, regardless of the style or discipline.

Wado-Ryu Karate-Do Third Generation Grandmaster Hironori Otsuka
Born in 1965, he is the grandson of the founder of Wado-Ryu. He started his martial arts journey in Iai-Do from his childhood, practiced wrestling and Judo in high school, and began his practice of Karate in university. After studying in the United States, he returned to Japan and later moved to France. His tenure in Europe lasted for 10 years, during which time he taught Karate around the world. In 2015, he returned to Japan and succeeded the style as the Third Generation Grandmaster of Wado-Ryu Karate-Do. He is a member of the Japan Kobudo Promotion Society and the Nihon Kobudo Association.