Today, there are many different types of Martial Arts, most of them are developed in Asia, but there are also Martial Arts developed in other parts of the World. Karate, which means “empty-hand”, is known in most parts of the World as a Japanese Martial Art. And that's true, Today’s Karate started in the Ryukyu Islands (nowadays called Okinawa), the Southern Islands of Japan,, and was brought to the main Island as late as around 1920, by Gichin Funakoshi. However, history tells that originally, Karate was developed in China, or even further back in India. Today there are so many styles of Karate that it is difficult for a person not familiar with the art to know the differences. However, Kyokushin Karate has made its own name and position and many people knows about “karate” and “Kyokushin karate”.
The biggest difference is that Kyokushin Karate is a full-contact karate style, which means that the practicing and the competition is based on real fighting, you are actually punching and kicking your opponent,without gloves or wearing protecting wear. This might sound dangerous and harsh, however, the founder of Kyokushin Karate, Masutatsu Oyama, meant that in order to become a true “Budo-ka” (a person who follow the warrior’s path) you have to be hundred percent present, and that, you can only be if you are fighting for real. Today Kyokushin karate is one of the most popular martial arts, and through the severe and strict training, you can achieve the physical and mental strength, needed not only for your training, but creating a better life for yourself.
The founder of Kyokushin Karate ,Masutatsu (Mas) Oyama was born on 27th July 1923. He began his practicing of martial arts, Chinese kempo, at the age of nine, and in 1938, Mas Oyama went to Japan in order to enter an aviation school; he intended to become a pilot. The fifteen years old Mas Oyama had also a large interest in Martial Arts, and started to practice Judo, however, when he got in contact with Karate, he was instantly fascinated, and he started soon to practice under Gichin Funakoshi. Already from the very beginning, the young student showed to be a natural talent, and he was awarded his Nidan already after two years, at the age of 20, he obtained 4th dan. Another Karate Master who influenced Mas Oyama , and the future Kyokushin Karate, was Gougen Yamaguchi.The war ended just before Mas Oyama and the squad he belonged to were supposed to enter it. And after this he decided to devote his time to Karate. In 1946 he practiced for one year all alone up in the mountains, this was a year during which he tested himself to the extreme point, both physically and mentally. The only person he met was the man who came once a month with food supplies, otherwise he was completely alone surrounded by only nature and silence. After this year, in 1947 he fought in the 1st All Japan Karate Championship, and won it. It was at that time he took the decision to devote the rest of his life to karate.
In 1948, once again he went to the mountains for further practicing, this time, he stayed for one year and eight months. After this period, he wanted to test his strength and power, and he did it by breaking the horns of bulls, altogether he broke the horns of 49 bulls and he killed another three. To the new generations, this may sound cruel, but these bulls were all already destined to the slaughterhouse, and Mas Oyama stayed nearby for seven months in order to test himself, to see how far a man can push himself.
In 1952, Mas Oyama left for USA as a representative of Japanese Karate, and he held demonstrations throughout USA altogether 270 times, during these demonstrations, he surprised the audience with his breaking abilities, he soon got known as the “GOD HAND”. He also fought several exhibition matches against professional boxers, wrestlers and others, and won all of them. This was the beginning of a new style of karate ;“KYOKUSHINKAIKAN”.
The actually forming of Kykoushinkaikan was made in 1964, before, Mas Oyama had called his karate “Oyama Karate” but in 1963, he started to build the Honbu Dojo (Headquarter)in Nishi Ikebukuro, Tokyo . Kyokushin means the Ultimate Truth and the newbuilt Honbu Dojo became the World Headquarter for many years until the death of Sosai Oyama.
Kyokushin Karate spread rapidly throughout the world, and today, most countries have Kyokushin Karate dojos, with students following the way created by Masutatsu Oyama.
Masutatsu Oyama passed away on April 26, 1994, at the age of only 70 years. This day was a big shock for all students around the world. However, although its founder is not longer leading Kyokushin in person, Kyokushin Karate-ka still see him as the only leader and mentor. And the work for developing Kyokushin Karate and spread it to new countries is still going on.
