Student Syllabus

Front Cover

Student Syllabus

Revised November 2025

Member of

Martial Arts Promotional & Development Association

https://mapda.ca/

Clubs of the South-Western Ontario Region

Preface

This syllabus has been developed as a guide for colour belt students of Wado Karate. There are many concepts, definitions, and lessons within this booklet, however they should be accompanied by in-class lessons by the Senseis (instructors) and questions by the Karateka (students).

It is not necessary to quickly read through and memorize the contents herein, but rather to use this as a reference as you progress through your own training. From time-to-time, Karateka will be asked questions about the rules, history, or concepts of the Wado Karate martial art. These questions will be appropriate to the individual’s rank, and often relevant to the specific student’s own training needs.

When encountered with a question that you don’t know the answer to, take the opportunity to search out the answer, either by this guide, by asking questions, or by doing your own research.

Our goal is to develop Karateka into strong people, not just of physical strength, but of strong intelligence, strong morale, and strong respect for themselves and others. Each person will move at their own pace, some quicker than others. It is important to remember that we will never fail a student who continues to advance, regardless of the speed at which they progress.

As you move through the ranks, you should expect to see the time between receiving a new belt take longer; this is quite normal. While a White Belt may receive their Yellow belt in a matter of months, a Green Belt may take over a year to receive their Blue Belt. Indeed, a Brown Belt will typically wait nearly 2 years to attempt their Black Belt grading, while a 5th degree Black Belt must wait at least 6 years.

Rules and Regulations

1. No alcohol or drugs will be taken before class.

2. No Karate student will provoke violence outside the dojo or allow him or herself to be provoked into violence, under the pain of expulsion from Karate for life.

3. Students will behave always as gentlemen/ladies both inside and outside the dojo.

4. All Black Belts will be addressed as “Sensei”.

5. Higher belts will aid the lower belts in their training but will not teach a technique or kata without a Sensei’s permission. Lower belts will follow.

6. There will be no sparring without express permission of the instructing Sensei.

7. All gis will be completely white. The Wado lettering may be placed on the left side of the gi top only. Any accessories (shirts, headbands, etc.) must be white only.

8. All males must wear an athletic support (jock) during sparring.

9. No rings, watches, earrings, studs, or other jewelry may be worn during class.

10. Students must comply with the dojo health rules. Personal cleanliness is essential. Finger and toenails must be clipped short.

11. No smoking, eating, drinking, or chewing gum is allowed on the dojo floor.

12. All students will bow upon entering and leaving the dojo. Bowing to instructors when making requests is mandatory.

13. Students will maintain a serious attitude at all times. No profanity or loud talking is permitted in the dojo. Vulgarity and rudeness will not be tolerated.

14. Do not criticize other Karateka.

15. Under no circumstances will any form of Karate be taught by any member to any non-member.

16. Dues must be paid by the first lesson of each quarter (or month), and there will be no refunds.

17. All gis, pads, etc. must be paid for in full upon ordering.

18. All additional rules published from MAPDA will be followed.

Information About Wado-Ryu Karate-Do

Wado-Ryu is a Japanese style of Karate which was founded in 1939 by Hironori Ohtsuka. Wado-Ryu, meaning “School to the way of harmony”, is one of the four major Japanese Karate styles and perhaps the purest form of Karate-do.

Wado-Ryu was directed by Masaru Shintani, 9th Dan Black Belt and founder of the Shintani Karate Federation of Wado-Kai of North American until May 2000.

Mr. Shintani was a direct student of Ohtsuka Sensei, and was supreme instructor of Wado-Kai Karate in North America. Shintani Sensei passed away in May 2000.

In 2014 and early 2015, Sensei Lawrence Blakemore (of the South-Western Ontario Region group) and Sensei Willy Lebrun (of the Timmins Wado group) met in Sudbury to discuss the creation of a new organization adhering to the teachings of Masaru Shintani Sensei. The two groups founded the Martial Arts Promotional and Development Association (MAPDA).

As direct students and ranking Black Belts of Master Shintani, both Sensei Blakemore and Sensei Lebrun seek to pass on their knowledge to their students, and to positively develop all aspects of martial arts.