EARLY LIFE
Sensei Wada was born in what is now considered Manchuria and grew up in Kyushu, Japan. As a young boy, Isao attended elementary and high school in Mountain View, CA under the care of his mother. He discovered karate at an early age and it became one of his life's greatest purposes. He graduated from San Jose State University with a bachelor's degree and worked toward his master's degree, majoring in occupational therapy.
MIDDLE AGE
After joining the army to teach karate, he was determined to open his own karate dojo and take his love for the sport to the masses. He was offered various teaching positions at San Jose State University, where he singlehandedly established the university's karate program and several recreation departments such as City of Emeryville, City of Sunnyvale, City of San Leandro, City of Saratoga, just to name a few. He founded Satsuma Dojo in Mountain View in 1978, realizing his dream and went on to open several more including dojos in Santa Clara and Japantown of San Jose. At the age of 26, he was the youngest person to hold the title of Renshi, or 'man of high attainment', which would have normally taken an additional 10 to 15 years to attain. He became a husband and then father to his two sons shortly thereafter.
LATE LIFE
After spreading Shotokan Karate throughout Northern California for more than 30 years, he retired after suffering from a heart attack. He never lost his passion and enthusiasm for the sport, saying that he would love to open another dojo. He spent his remaining years in the East Bay and is survived by his wife and two sons.
7TH DAN IN SHORINJI RYU &
6TH DAN IN SHOTOKAN
As the founder of Shotokan Karate in Northern California, Isao has left behind a lasting legacy, well beyond his 30-year dedication to teaching. After training with Sensei Hirokazu Kanazawa Soke, considered one of the world's most renowned and respected traditional karate masters of all time, he became an ambassador to the sport by establishing its roots all over Northern California through the Shotokan Karate-Do International Federation (SKIF) from Tokyo to the U.S.
VISITATION AND LUNCHEON
Visitation:
Saturday, March 24, 2018
10:00 A.M. - 12:00 P.M.
Santos-Robinson Mortuary
160 Estudillo Avenue
San Leandro, CA 94577
Metered parking, pre-paid by the mortuary, will be available along Estudillo Avenue, parking is also available in the garage adjacent to Santos-Robinson and across the street in the public Lot.
Luncheon: 1:00 P.M.
Fusion Delight Restaurant
699 Lewelling Blvd. #212
San Leandro, CA 94579