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Kyokushin karate and Its Roots.

 

 

I first found out about Kyokushin Karate through a class mate at College. We were talking about martial arts and he told me that he was doing Kyokushin Karate at the Marist dojo down on the wharf. Living in Owhiro Bay at the time, his dojo was too far for me, just a school boy at the time who went everywhere by bus, but I peeked into the yellow pages and discovered a club at the Newtown Community Centre. Perfect! On the way home and it just so happened, the instructor was local, living just down the road from me. It was a small club at the time, juniors and seniors trained together and training lasted 2 hours. I was also doing a milk run as a part-time job with another school boy from St Pats called Warren Jarvis. It turned out that the boss, Alistair Holden was good friends with Warren’s dad, John Jarvis who I later found out to be a legend in Kyokushin karate and was / still is, the only Kiwi to have completed the 100 man kumite. I just became more infatuated with the stories about Masutastu Oyama, more commonly referred to as Mas Oyama and had to know more.

 

Mas Oyama was born in Gimje, South Korea, during the Japanese occupation. His first exposure to martial arts came under the tutelage of a Chinese farmer named Lee while living on his sister's farm in Manchuria. At just nine years old, Oyama began his training, laying the foundation for his future as a martial arts master.

In 1938, Oyama followed his brother to Japan, enrolling in the Yamanashi Aviation School. It was during this time that he adopted the Japanese name Oyama Masutatsu, symbolizing his assimilation into Japanese culture. Despite facing discrimination as a Korean immigrant, Oyama found solace and purpose in karate.

Oyama's quest for martial excellence led him to train under renowned masters such as Gigō Funakoshi and So Nei Chu, immersing himself in Shotokan and Gōjū-ryū karate. However, it was his solitary retreats to the mountains of Japan, inspired by Miyamoto Musashi's "The Book of Five Rings," that truly defined his legacy. In these retreats, he underwent rigorous training, enduring solitude and hardship to hone his body and mind. These experiences shaped his martial prowess and instilled in him a profound understanding of the true essence of karate.

 

In 1953, Oyama established his own dojo in Tokyo, which became known as the Oyama Dojo. Here, he developed his unique style of karate characterized by its intensity and practicality. His daring feats, including infamous battles with live bulls, showcased his raw power and martial arts efficacy. These demonstrations not only proved his strength but also attracted widespread attention to his teachings.

The culmination of Oyama's dedication came with the founding of Kyokushin Karate in 1957, meaning "the ultimate truth." This style emphasized discipline, perseverance, and respect, marking the beginning of a new era in martial arts. Under Oyama's guidance, Kyokushin Karate flourished, attracting students globally drawn to its rigorous training regimen and philosophy of self-improvement.

 

Oyama's influence extended beyond his dojo as he traveled the world, spreading the principles of Kyokushin and inspiring countless individuals. He established the International Karate Organization Kyokushin kaikan, overseeing the proliferation of Kyokushin dojos worldwide and ensuring his legacy continued to resonate in the martial arts community.

 

Mas Oyama's life and exploits were featured in magazines,

his own comic book series and movies

                                                               

 

In 1990, I travelled to Tokyo for one month to train at the Honbu dojo. During the training, I was lucky enough to attend Mas Oyama's Sunday class and I clearly remember being told off by Oyama himself for the state of my zenkutsu dachi. He slapped my hand and back into its correct posture and I blushed because it was all caught on camera as a TV crew had turned up to interview him before the All Japan tournament. It was the year before the World Champs and the winner was usually the top seed for the world open tournament. 

 

Mas Oyama's life is a testament to the transformative power of martial arts. His story serves as an enduring inspiration to generations of practitioners, embodying the true spirit of karate-do. He passed away to lung cancer on April 26, 1994 at the age of 70. His legacy lives on in the hearts and minds of those who continue to walk the path he paved, striving for perfection in both body and spirit.