Tatsuo Suzuki, Hachidan, Hanshi
Tatsuo Susuki was
born in Yokohama, Japan on 27th April 1928. At the age of 14 he
began training in Karate, by the age of 19 he was a 3rd Dan Black
Belt. He was awarded his 5th Dan, the highest grade in Wado Ryu at
the age of 24. He was taught by Hanshi, Hironori Otsuka, Highest Karate
authority in Japan, founder of the Wado-Ryu style of Karate and recipient of
the Shiju Hoosho medal for service to sport from the Government of Japan, the
only man in the history of Karate to be so honored. Otsuka Sensei was also
awarded the title Shodai Karate-do Meijin Judan (the greatest title possible)
from the Imperial Japanese family. This means first generation karate master of
the 10th dan; he was the first Japanese (not Okinawan) to make a
style of karate in the form of Japanese budo, thus making it a true Japanese
martial art.
Tatsuo Susuki graduated in Economics from the University of Japan. From 1945 to
1956 he received direct instruction from Otsuka Sensei at the Wado Ryu
Headquaters in Japan. Thereafter, as Otsuka Sensei`s most senior student. He
travelled with Otsuka Sensei. From 1956 to 1964 he was the head instructor of
the Tokai Region in Japan. He moved to Hamamatsu city and taught in many clubs
and universities, throughout the area he was responsible for Wado Ryu becoming
the leading style in the Tokai Region. In 1963 Susuki Sensei received requests
from Europe and America to provide instruction and perform demonstrations. In
January 1965 he founded the first Wado Federation in England and from his base
in London he spread Wado Ryu throughout Europe. Overcoming many difficulties,
he brought senior students from Japan and taught them how to be instructors and
sent them to various European countries. Within just a few years Wado Ryu
became the most popular style in Europe.
At the age of 45 he was presented with a silver cup by Hagashi Kuni noMiya, the
uncle of the late Emperor of Japan. In 1975 he received his eighth Dan, the
highest grade ever given by the Federation of All-Japan Karate-Do
organizations. In that year he also received the highest Japanese martial arts
title of 'Hanshi' awarded to him by the Emperor Higashikuni. Suzuki Sensei is
the only living person with this title in Wado-Ryu. The only other wado Hanshi
was the late Otsuka Sensei. Susuki Sensei is at present engaged in the setting
up of Karate organizations throughout Europe as the Renmei's Chief
Representative abroad. In addition to his accomplishments in Karate, Suzuki
Sensei is a second Dan in Tenshin Koryu Bo-Jitsu (stick fighting) and a first
Dan in Judo.
Suzuki Sensei is loyal to the man who taught him, the founder of Wado-Ryu, the
late master Otsuka. Suzuki Sensei will not allow the style to be changed. His
is the original Wado-Ryu as taught to him and as it will always be taught while
he remains a Hanshi.
For more information, read the article "My Life" by Tatsuo Suzuki.