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Master Ohtsuka was born on June 1st. 1892 in Shimodate
City, Ibaragi Prefecture, Japan, where his father, Dr.Tokujiro Ohtsuka operated a clinic. As a boy he listened to his mother's uncle, Chojiro Ebashi tell thrilling stories
of samurai endeavours. He himself was a respected samurai warrior. Master Ohtsuka began martial arts training at the age of 5, practising jujutsu under his uncle's
instruction.
By the age of 13 he began his formal training during
his school days (1906-1911) in Shindo Yoshin Ryu Jujutsu, a traditional Japanese martial art from which modern judo was derived.
This was under the direction of Tatsusaburo Nakayama
(1870-1933). This style stressed kicking and striking techniques, in contrast to the throwing techniques of most jujutsu styles.
In 1911, Ohtsuka entered Waseda University to study
business administration. It was during this period that Ohtsuka began studying atemi style Kempo, while he continued his studies in Shindo Yoshin Ryu Jujutsu. When his
father died in 1913 he was forced to quit school and return to Shimodate to work at the Kawasaki Bank.
By 1921 at the relatively young age of 29, he was
awarded the coveted menkyo kaiden, which was a charter making him the grandmaster of the Shindo Yoshin Ryu Jujutsu school. A year later he began karate training with
Gichin Funakoshi, one of the men who introduced Okinawan Tode to Japan from Okinawa.
Gichin Funakoshi and Shinkin Gima had been sent to
Japan by a council of Okinawan karate masters in order to introduce Okinawa-Te (Tode) to the Japanese. This was at the request of the Crown Prince Hirohito. Ohtsuka heard
of this visit and journeyed to Tokyo to witness the demonstration.
Funakoshi eventually stayed in Japan to promote
karate. Ohtsuka visited him at the Meisei Juku (dormitory for Okinawan students) and spent many hours discussing their ideas about the martial arts. At this time Ohtsuka
began training with Funakoshi. Ohtsuka immediately saw the advantages of combining the Okinawan Shuri type karate with the techniques and principles of Japanese Shindo
Yoshin Ryu Jujutsu.
Because of his experience and knowledge of jujutsu
martial art skills, he was able to grasp and understand the principles of karate very quickly.
Funakoshi recognised these abilities and in 1924
Ohtsuka earned his black belt in karate making him one of the first Japanese to be promoted in this art.
In 1927 he left the bank at Shimodate, and became a
medical specialist (bone setter) treating injuries in order to devote more time to the martial arts.
Ohtsuka studied with Funakoshi for over ten years and
became Funakoshi's senior student. After Ohtsuka began to teach karate at Tokyo University in 1929, he began to have differences of opinion with Funakoshi over the
introduction of jujutsu techniques and the practice of ji yu kumite (free fighting), as Funakoshi did not approve.
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