Instructors Authenticity

Zanshin Karate Kan practices the traditional Wado Ryu Karate and can proudly demonstrate the direct lineage  of instructors back to the Grand Master Hironori Ohstuka.

• Grand Master Hironori Ohtsuka Sensei trained
• Second Grand Master Jiro Ohstuka 10th Dan trained
• Sensei Toru Takamizawa 7th Dan trained
• Sensei Steve Darkes 5th Dan trained
  
• Sensei Peter Kay 2nd Dan

Second Grand Master Jiro Ohstuka

Jiro Ohtsuka (Hironori Ohtsuka II) began his training in Wado-Ryu karate at the age of fifteen (15) years, in 1945 from his father (Hironori Ohtsuka).  He has trained in Iai-do, Ken-do, Judo, Aiki-do and Wado Shindo Yoshin Ryu Jujitsu Kenpo.  In 1983, after the death of his father (Hironori Ohtsuka) he suceeded to become the Grand Master and President of the International Wado-Ryu Karate-Do organisation, dedicated to spreading the art of Wado Ryu as passed onto him from his father.

Sensei Toru Takamizawa

The late Toru Takamizawa Sensei was a major force in bringing Wado Ryu to the United Kingdom. Toru Takamizawa Sensei arrived in the United Kingdom in 1963 to assist Tatsuo Suzuki Sensei (sent by Hironori Ohtsuka Sensei to demonstrate Wado Ryu to Europe).

Toru Takamizawa Sensei opened the famous Temple Karate Centre in Birmingham in 1969. Today, many Wado Ryu practioners have the honour of having trained at the famous Temple Karate Centre in Birmingham run by Toru Takamizawa Sensei.