Greetings and Salutations karatekas and non-karatekas alike.A karateka is someone who is a practitioner of the art of karate (the art of the empty hand).
Wado Ryu is the study of the "way of harmony...the way of peace."
Many years ago...back the early 70's (1973-74)...I placed myself in a position where I was having to defend myself on the side of a road...in full view of a factory ending a shift, busy rush hour traffic, in front of God and the world. With a lucky punch...I put down the giant that was attacking me (along with his little friend)...and then I made a quick exit (well it took four cranks of my green Vega to start up so I could make a quick exit)...looking in the review mirror as the giant running...chased my car with a tire tool down Murfreesboro Road.
After a period of licking my wounds...I saw an article in the Daily News Journal...of a school of karate... where the cost would be $15.00 a month. Well...I had a long history of interest in the martial arts since I watched the Mr. Moto movie series...where Mr. Moto...an oriental detective...would use judo to toss around the bad guys. Combined with the The Green Hornet (with Bruce Lee as The Green Hornet's sidekick (literally) Kato)...Bruce Lee movies...Billy Jack...the Kung Fu T.V. show...and even Carl Douglas' song Kung Fu Fighting (where the kicks were "fast as lightning") all were calling me. The School was BUSHIDO SCHOOL OF KARATE. We first met in the basement of Crichlow School...but quickly moved into a storefront on Vine Street. At that time Mr. Newton Harris was the owner (someone I knew from school)...later owned by Mr. Bill Herzer...and then later by Mr. Bill Taylor. NOTE: Mr. Cecil T. Patterson was the American connection between Japan and America for Wado Ryu).
It was there that I first met Mr. Taylor. He was a young kid...who had a natural ability...around 11 years old (I think). I remember blocking a kick by Mr. Taylor...and remember vividly here in 2011 the pain that went up my arm from that kick.I dropped out after a while...BUT Mr. Taylor continued on...eventually getting his black belt and eventually becoming the owner of BILL TAYLOR'S BUSHIDO SCHOOL OF KARATE.
Many years later...in 2001...when I turned 50 years old...I started back taking karate (a dream and a passion) and continue practicing to this day (2011).
I said all of that...to say this. I have been blessed to be part of a school (Bill Taylor's Bushido School of Karate). Mr. Taylor has released a book entitled WADO RYU: A Fighter's Perspective. The original book was issued in 1995...and this new, expanded, improved edition was issued in 2010.
NOTE: This edition was edited by third degree black belt...Dr. Steven Morris (who began back when I did). Great job Mr. Morris.
This expanded edition...is written from the perspective of a "fighter." Mr. Taylor took what he learned in the school...and utilized it in practical application within the squared circle... the kickboxing realm (under the instruction of Mr. Bill Herzer).Mr. Taylor kick boxed as Billy "The Kid" Taylor...and won many fights and became a world contender. When he retired from the ring...he took over the ownership of Bushido School of Karate and built the school into one of the oldest and largest martial arts schools in Tennessee.
The purpose of this book is explained in the preface..."This book is being written as a GUIDE for the serious student of Wado-Ryu. I feel the information contained here will GREATLY ENHANCE some one's understanding of this dynamic form of Karate." (Preface Wado Ryu: A Fighter's Perspective)This book is a great history book. It lays out the roots of Wado including the historical/political times, the perspective of Master Hirinori Otsuka who created our style of karate, the philosophy of Wado Ryu, the techniques of Wado Ryu, the Pinan series of kata (the backbone of Wado, the advanced kata's, and much, much more.
While WADO RYU: A Fighter's Perspective is NOT an instructional manual (books like WADO RYU by Master Hirinori Ostuska and Karate Katas of Wado Ryu and Introduction To Karate by Shingo Ohgami are excellent and recommended by Mr. Taylor)...it is a valuable resource to glean principles that are foundational for this art that we practice. Of course you can read a book all day long...and never become a practitioner of karate...so come and join us.
FINAL THOUGHTS...FINALLY
At 60 years old...I am still kicking...and plan on continuing. I have learned a lot over the years... but with WADO RYU: A Fighter's Perspective...I continue to learn. Check out Bill Taylor's Bushido School Of Karate at: http://www.bskonline.com/
In Wado Ryu...karate always begins and ends with respect. The word used to bow in respect is REI. At this time...I would like to give a collective bow to Mr. Taylor and all the instructors and students at Bill Taylor's Bushido School of Karate. I have much REI-spect for all of you.
Rodney Boyd Ni-Dan
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