Interview with Tatsuo Suzuki 8th Dan Hanshi
by Colin Jones

In recent month's speculation has been rife as to the level of commitment shown by Master Tatsuo Suzuki to Wado Ryu in the UK.

It was even suggested by some that he was no longer residing in Britain. So when I spotted in a local London press that Master Suzuki was to hold a demonstration for the opening of his new Dojo, I was unable to resist the temptation to attend.

Master Suzuki amazed the crowd, a mixture of experience and would be Karateka, with a dazzling display of knife defences. His hapless attacker Kevin Warren (club instructor) was tossed around like a rag doll. At the request of a spectator, sensei performed Seishan Kata, leaving the audience in no doubt they were in the presence of a true Master and the No.1 exponent of Wado Ryu Karate, not only in the UK but worldwide.

After the demonstration many of the audience stayed to speak to Master Suzuki, however, I was finally able to corner him and ask him for this exclusive interview.

Colin Jones: It has been recently said that you are no longer actively teaching in the UK and that you spend most of your time abroad, is this true?

Tatsuo Suzuki: This is not true, I spend a significant amount of time teaching in the UK and Ireland. However there are now 47 countries who are members of the WIKF and as a result I spend a lot of time teaching abroad. It is the largest Wado Federation in the world being the head of this Federation I must be fair to all my students across the world and give them the opportunity to train with me. This gives me a very demanding schedule. However, I am always available to teach here, though you must contact me at least six months in advance due to my busy programme.

I also hold my own summer and winter courses, which are open to everyone as well as many other courses which I teach throughout the UK. In Fact I have recently come back from Wales and Ireland. There is also my new club too, which is open twice a week.

Colin Jones: You have not had your own club since the closure of your Fulham Dojo ten years ago, why is that?

Tatsuo Suzuki: When I first opened the Fulham Dojo I had very little commitment abroad. I was able to teach five hours a day, five days a week. Each year the rent on the Dojo would increase until I was losing too much money by keeping it open. Also as the WIKF expanded, I had to spend more time abroad. I was unable to fit in a training program for myself nor could I have any time to rest. It was a combination of all these things that forced me to close down my Fulham Dojo.

Colin Jones: What prompted you to open your new club?

Tatsuo Suzuki: There are many so called Wado clubs around. Most of them are not teaching traditional Wado technique, so I decided to open my own club to teach true Wado. This is very important to me. Since I closed my Dojo in Fulham I have been very busy teaching courses around the UK and abroad. With the help of my wife (club instructor), Kevin Warren (club instructor) and some of my new students, it has been possible to open this new club. Also, London is the leading city in the UK. So it is very important to me to have a good traditional Wado club here in the capital.

Colin Jones: What is your current view of the standard of Wado in the UK?

Tatsuo Suzuki: Wado Karate is very popular here in the UK. The standard of Wado in the UK was once very good but over the years many clubs broke away from the main body and slowly the Wado technique deteriorated. This is very sad for Wado in general, as clubs then split form the breakaway groups and the techniques became more diluted. I would like to see Wado unified again as it was many years ago. I always welcome new groups wishing to join the WIKF.

Colin Jones: Is this the same worldwide?

Tatsuo Suzuki: Yes, this is the case worldwide. You have the same problem, many breakaway groups, which weaken the standard of Wado. Recently in some countries, as in America for example, there has been a great demand for traditional Karate in general, which is very welcome. At one time America was all sport Karate, but now there has been a complete turn around in America's attitude towards Karate and I have had many clubs contact me, interested in learning traditional Wado.

Colin Jones: As the head of the largest Wado Federation in the world (the W.I.K.F), what are your plans for the future?

Tatsuo Suzuki: I have many things planned ahead for the W.I.K.F. One for example, I plan to hold an annual Suzuki Cup competition, which will be open to all Wado clubs and Federations. This will be very good for Wado Karate, as it will bring everyone together again and we will be like brothers and sisters enjoying our Art. Also, I will have the usual annual courses, as well as National and International competitions, but most important to me is to train myself. Karate is deep and there are still more levels for me to reach. I will never stop learning and training. It is important to me to pass on my knowledge to someone I can trust spiritually and mentally to take over from me, as I can continue my own training and development and also for when I am gone.

Colin Jones: I understand you still maintain a punishing training schedule, can you tell me about it?

Tatsuo Suzuki: As I spend most of my time teaching it is very important for me to train hard. Every morning for 2-3 hours I run through a vigorous training regime with Kevin Warren at our local park.

I start warming exercises and lots of stretching to make sure my body remains supple. To work on my kicks and punches I use a small handheld kick pad, this is great training for my power and speed.

Following this Kevin and I always practice Kumite. This is an extremely important part of my training; it keeps my mind and body sharp and is very good for stamina. For my strength I always complete many sets of sit-ups and press-ups. However, it is essential that I always practice my Wado techniques during this private training.

To finish my training I always warm-down. This is very important as it avoids and prevents injury.

Colin Jones: Am I correct in thinking that we can look forward to a higher profile Master Suzuki than we have seen of late?

Tatsuo Suzuki: That is correct, over the past 10 years my time has been taken up with travelling throughout the UK and the world teaching. It has left me with very little time to push my forward into the public eye. Now with the help of my wife Eleni, Kevin and some loyal students I have more time to do so. My main interest has always been to promote Wado not promoting myself.

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Last Updated December 22^nd 1999 by Mark Thomas