History
of Kyokushin Japanese Karate and Mas Oyama
I have
been a fan of the
Japanese styles of Martial Arts for many years namely Karate &
Kubudo and actually Renbukan Karate was the first style I trained in at
the local Police Youth Centre in 1986. But my interest has mainly been
in the hard traditional style of Kyokushin founded by the late
Masutatsu Oyama or more commonly known as Mas Oyama or the "God hand"
Mas Oyama was instrumental in the early days of Karate,
spreading his art from Japan to the rest of the World. Training in
Kyokushin is focused on self development, traditional values, hard
contact sparing, tameshiwari and is highly respected throughout Martial
Arts circles as true hard
Karate.
Masutatsu
Oyama was
born Yong I-Choi on the 27th of July, 1923, in Southern Korea. He
started studying Kempo at age nine. During 1938 at age 15 he moved to
Japan. He soon began training in what is now known as Shotokan Karate
with Gichin Funokoshi. With exceptional skills he soon reached 2nd Dan
at age 17. He continued to train hard throughout the following years an
even joined the Japan Imperial Army. He is well known for his many
months alone on Mt Kiyozumi training 12 hours a day every day under
waterfalls, breaking river rocks with his bare hands, using trees for
strength training and as makiwara.
In 1952, he was invited to
the USA. He demonstrated karate live and on national television. During
he time in the USA he is said to have many challengers, resulting in
over 270 matches against thai boxers, wrestlers, bouncers and I would
say plenty of fools with no skills.
In
1953, Mas Oyama
opened his first "Dojo" a simple facility in Mejiro Tokyo. In June 1964
the World Headquarters officially opened and it was at this time that
Oyama adopted the name Kyokushin meaning "The Ultimate Truth". In the
same year the International Karate Organization (IKO) was established.
By 1957 the World Headquarters had 700 members and the reputation of
Kyokushin was spreading. The dojo quickly earned a name for hard kumite
and fighters from all over Japan regularly trained there. During the
following decades Kyokushin Karate flourished throughout the world.
Kyokushin
Karate has influenced many other schools of karate schools for the
good. Kyokushin promotes realistic combat, endurance, physical
toughness, conditioning, and traditional values in its teachings. The
Ultimate Warrior test in Kyokushin is the 100 man kumite, a grueling
test that only a select few have passed.
Mas
Oyama, maybe due
to to his days spreading Kyokushin was fond of public demonstrations.
He was one of the only men able to punch a balloon in mid air and pop
it. Give it a go it takes much speed and power. Knife hand beer bottles
he also preformed and many tameshiwari demonstrations. Mas Oyama also
wrote many pioneering karate books that were instrumental in the early
spread of the art.
Sadly in April 1994, Kyokushin Karate founder
Sosai Mas Oyama passed away. He continued to train to the day of his
passing, encompassing the spirit of an Ultimate Warrior. The ultimate
strength of his spirit and the spirit of true Karate lives to this day
throughout the thousands of Kyokushin dojo's worldwide. The IKO, now
headed by Kancho Shokei Matsui is the largest karate organization in
the World with over twelve million members in 135 countries.
Eleven
Motto's of Mas Oyama
1. The Martial Way begins and ends with courtesy. Therefore be properly
and genuinely courteous at all times.
2.
Following the Martial Way is like scaling a cliff. Continue upwards
without rest. It demands absolute and unflattering devotion to the task
at hand.
3. Strive to seize the initiative in all things, all
the time guarding against actions stemming from selfish animosity or
thoughtlessness.
4. Even for Martial Artists, the place of money cannot be ignored. Yet
one should be careful never to become attached to it.
5. The Martial Way is centered in posture. Strive to maintain correct
posture at all times.
6. The Martial Way begins with one thousand days and is mastered after
ten thousand days of training.
7. In Martial Arts, introspection begets wisdom. Always see
contemplation of your actions as an opportunity to improve.
8.
The nature and purpose of the Martial Way is universal. All selfish
desires should be roasted in the tempering fires of hard training.
9. Martial Arts begin with a point and end in a circle. Straight lines
stem from this principle.
10. The true essence of the Martial Way can only be realized through
experience. Knowing this, learn never to fear its demands.
11. Always remember: In Martial Arts the rewards of a confident and
grateful heart are truly abundant.
About the Author
Ultimate
Warrior Blog, reality based self defense and Martial Arts. UFC, Mixed
Martial Arts, Brazilian Jiu Jitsu(BJJ), Kyokushin Karate, Doce Pares
Eskrima, Krav Maga, Judo and Self Defense. http://www.ultimatewarriorblog.com
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