Hironori Ohtsuka 1892 - 1982 Originator of Wado Ryu karate.	Tatsuo Suzuki 1928 - 2011 8th Dan Hanshi

The name San no Ya, literally three arrows, refers to the karate taught by the Kear family; Reg, Philip, Fred and Robert. The name was given to us by Tatsuo Suzuki Sensei some years back. We all began practising Wado Ryu Karate with Suzuki Sensei shortly after he arrived in Great Britain in 1964. We have been his students and followed his teaching ever since. Sadly Suzuki Sensei passed away in July 2011. He is sadly missed but we continue to promote and practice the Wado Ryu he taught us.

San no Ya also refers to an old Japanese tale, 'Mitsuya no kyokun' or lesson of three arrows, which recounts the story of Mori Motonari (1497 - 1571) the daimyo (feudal lord) of Aki (around Hiroshima). Mori presented each of his three sons with an arrow and then demonstrated that one arrow alone may be quite easily broken but when three arrows are held together their strength is more than tripled and they become virtually impossible to break. Correspondingly whilst each of us practises Wado Ryu from his own distinct perspective, when combined these different viewpoints form the strong, flexible basis of San no Ya.

We would like to take this opportunity to express our most sincere gratitude to our teacher, Tatsuo Suzuki 8th Dan Hanshi and his teacher Hironori Ohtsuka to whom we are greatly indebted. We would also like to remember and thank all of the other fine instructors that we practised with over the years, who gave freely of their knowledge and helped to point the way. Perhaps the adage 'straight as an arrow' can most aptly describe our feelings regarding loyalty and the perpetuation of the techniques and traditions of the Wado Ryu that they taught us.

San no Ya is an organisation formed to perpetuate, study and further the ideals and practices passed on to us by Ohtsuka Sensei and Suzuki Sensei. In essence it comprises the total of its members, past and present, who have all played a vital part in its formation and without whom it would count for nothing.

Philip Kear 8th Dan Director his dojo Yuyu Kan is located in the heart of Sydney NSW. YuYu Kan Contact Info

Reg Kear 7th Dan Director teaches in Frankston just outside Melbourne Victoria. His dojo Kobu Kan was established over 35 years ago. Kobu Kan Contact Info

Robert Kear 7th Dan Director is the teacher of the Yon Kenshi Kan dojo and is currently resident in Sydney. Yon Kenshi Kan Contact Info

Fred Kear 3rd Dan, 1941 - 1976.