1955: First championships
The first All Japan Wado-Ryu Championships are held.

1955: Publication of Karatejutsu No Kenkyu
Publication of 'Karatejutsu no Kenky' ('the study of karate'), based on the 1949 'Karatejutsu Oboega' ('the karate memorandum') from the Tokyo University Karate Club. The book presents 9 Wado katas and became the base of the book 'Karatedo' by Otsuka in 1970.

1955: Wadokai bulletin
Wadokai starts publishing an illustrated bulletin for its members.

May 1, 1964: Founding of JKF-Wadokai
At the occasion of the Tokyo Olympics, Zen Nippon Karatedo Renmei (JKF) is founded, for the purpose of bringing together all the main karate styles. This organization was initially known as FAJKO, only later this was changed to JKF. The wado body within JKF is called JKF-Wadokai.

1964: Wado goes abroad
Three senior wadoka, Suzuki, Takashima and Arakawa, visit London to demonstrate at the Shinto-ryu Kendo Club in London.

1965: Wado in UK
Tatsuo Suzuki returns to England to stay. This marks the beginning of the spread of Wado in the UK and the European mainland.
Picture: Tatsuo Suzuki

1966: Otsuka decorated by Hirohito
Emperor Hirohito grants Otsuka the rank of Kun-Go-To and decorates him with the Soko-Kyokujitsu-Sho for his efforts to spread karate.

1970: First Wado Championships abroad
First official Wado-ryu Karate Championships are held in London.

1970: Publication of Karatedo
Publication of 'Karatedo' by Otsuka which presents 9 wado katas: Pinan 1 till 5, Naihanchi, Seichan, Kushanku and Chinto.

1972: Founding of European Wadokai
Founding of the Federation of European Wado-kai. (F.E.W.)

1972: Otsuka is granted the title ‘Meijin’
President Higashikuni of the International Martial Arts Federation (Kokusai Buso In) awards Otsuka the title of 'meijin' (master). This is the first time ever this honor is bestowed upon a karateka in Japan.

1981: Split between JKF-Wadokai en Wadoryu renmei
The split between JKF-Wadokai and Wadoryu renmei occurs

januari 29, 1982: Otsuka dies
Grandmaster Hironori Otsuka passes away at the age of 89
Picture: Otsuka in his eighties












1984
Publication of Otsuka’s book on Kihon Kumite

Publication of Otsukas Kihon kumite book.
(n.b.: this may not be the exact year of publication. Exact year unknown.)
Picture: Hironori and Jiro Otsuka as portraid in the book.

1989: First World Championships
First World Wado-ryu Karate Championships in London.

1989: Founding of Wado Kokusai
A new split occurs: Tatsuo Suzuki founds Wado Kokusai.

1990: Hideo Bo dies
JKF-Wadokai president Hideo Bo passes away

1991: Hashimoto for president
Ryutaro Hashimoto (later to become priminister of Japan) becomes president of JKF-Wadokai.

1996: Eriguchi acting president
Hashimoto resigns, Eiichi Eriguchi appointed acting president of JKF-Wadokai.

1997: Publication of Otsuka’s book ‘Wado Ryu Karate’
The book 'Wado Ryu Karate' by Hironori Otsuka is published in an exclusive limited edition. This book is an English translation from a 1977 manuscript.
Picture: Otsuka showing kata Pinan Shodan in the book.











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