Tradition and Culture since 1979
Wado Ryu is the Japanese style of martial arts founded by Master Hironori Otsuka in 1934. This style incorporates traditional modern day Karate and Shindo Yoshin-Ryu Jujutsu.
Rick Savagian brought Wado Ryu to Ahwatukee with the founding of Mountainside Martial Arts in 1979.
The Masters
Hironori Otsuka I
1892-1982
Hironori Otsuka is the founder of the Wado School of Karate.
Hironori Otsuka was born in Japan in June 1892. In 1898 he began studying Shindo Yoshin Ryu Jujutsu under the supervision of his father. By 1911 he was studying Atemi-style Kempo and many other forms of Jujitsu.
It was 1934 when he opened his own dojo and officially inaugurated his own unique style of karate. Finally in 1940 Master Otsuka registered Wado Karate at Butokukai, Kyoto, and it became one the four major styles of Japanese Karate.
In 1966, Master Otsuka received the Kun-Go-To, or "The Fifth Order of Merit of the Sacred Treasure" from the Emperor of Japan, who also bestowed upon him the Soko Kyokujitsu-Sho medal for Master Otsuka's contributions to the development and promotion of karate.
Hironori Otsuka II
1934-2015
Jiro Otsuka was born in 1934 in Tokyo, Japan. He was the second son of Grand Master Hironori Otsuka I. Jiro began his training in Wado Ryu karate at the age of fifteen in 1949.
In 1983, upon the death of his father Hironori Ohtsuka I, Jiro Ohtsuka became the second Grand Master of Wado Ryu Karate and president of the International Wado Ryu Karate Do organization.
Grand Master Otsuka II passed away on June 26, 2015.
Hironori Otsuka III
Born in 1965, Kazutaka Otsuka is the grandson of Sensei Hironori Otsuka, creator of the Wado-Ryu style and son of Sensei Hironori Otsuka II, current Grand Master of the Wado-Ryu School.
He started practicing Wado-Ryu karate at the age of 5. But he stops at the age of 6 and begins the Iaido he will practice for twelve years. He also studies other martial arts: Judo, Kendo, Aikido and wrestling.
He is admitted to Tokai University. He became a member of Iaido club and then won the university championship.
In order to ensure the succession of the grand master Otsuka II, he practices Wado-Ryu karate at a university club.
After graduating from Tokai University, he went to study in the United States and became director of the Hombu dojo (Wado-Ryu headquarters in Tokyo).
On the Federal level, he is recognized as 8th Dan and joins the Japanese expert group within the French Karate Federation.
Shihan Toshio Osaka
Shihan Toshio Osaka is an 8th degree black belt, founder of the Japan International Karate Do Center and Chairman of the USA Wado Ryu Karate Organization.
He is originally from Kanagawa, Japan and came into contact with the American culture on the U.S. military base in that area. His martial arts training actually started in Jujitsu as a young boy and his skill progressed such that he was able to acquire a position on the very prestigious University of Nihon Karate team.
He trained with many masters in Japan, including Hironori Otsuka I.
Richard A. Savagian
Shihan Rick Savagian is President and CEO of Wado-Ryu USA and serves on the Board of Directors for Wado-Ryu Karate-do Remini in Tokyo, Japan and currently holds the rank of 6th Dan Kyoshi Shihan.
With over 60 years of experience Shihan Rick has upheld the principles and foundation of the traditional martial arts as taught to him and the student body.
Earned, Not Given
We are proud of the body of students that have studied at Mountainside Martial Arts Center and especially those who have achieved the level of Black Belt.
It is not an easy thing to do, and unlike many martial arts schools, our Black Belts are Earned, Not Given.
Below is a listing of our Black Belt Alumni.
