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Kyokushin

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Kyokushin
File:Kyokushinkai.gif
Japanese Name
Japanese 極真
Kana spelling きょくしん
Rōmaji (Hepburn) Kyokushin

Kyokushin (極真) or Kyokushinkai (極真会) is a style of stand-up, full contact karate founded by Masutatsu Oyama (大山倍達) in 1964. Kyokushinkai is Japanese for "the society for the ultimate truth."

Originally existing as a single organization, Kyokushin now exists as several large organizations with the "Kyokushin" title, plus various other organizations that teach similar techniques but go by different names. Also, numerous dojo throughout the world claim to teach a Kyokushin curriculum without formally belonging to one of the Kyokushin "umbrella" organizations. Although difficult to quantify, it is conjectured that the number of students and instructors involved in learning or teaching the style or one of its close variations around the world is significant. Some estimates have put this number as high as 10 million,[1] 12 million,[2] and even 20 million.[3]

History

Origin

File:Choi Bae-dal.jpg
Masutatsu Oyama Template:Unverifiedimage

The founder of Kyokushin, Masutatsu Oyama, was born Choi Yeong-eui on 27 July, 1923 in southern Korea. Some debate exists as to Oyama's actual history and activities before establishing the Kyokushin organization. However, the following is the generally accepted story of Oyama's early life.

As a young child, Oyama reportedly studied Chinese and Korean Kempo. In 1938, he is said to have emigrated to Japan and studied Judo and Okinawan Karate under Gichin Funakoshi. He reportedly attained upper rank or "dan" status in both disciplines, although there is no confirmation that he actually did so. Also, at this time it is believed that he took his Japanese name, Masutatsu Oyama, in order to better assimilate into Japan. Masutatsu, or simply, Mas, Oyama was the name he would primarily use for the rest of his life. After World War II, Oyama is said to have trained in Goju Ryu karate under a Korean master- So Nei Chu. During this time, he reportedly retreated into the mountains for almost three years to karate train in solitude. Again, some doubt exists as to whether Oyama really stayed in the mountains for three years, or if it was for a somewhat shorter time. Nevertheless, it is generally believed that Oyama engaged in some type of intense, full-time martial arts training during this period and also traveled to the U.S. to engage in exhibition bouts with professional wrestlers.

In 1953, Oyama opened his own karate dojo, named "Oyama Dojo," in Tokyo but continued to travel around Japan and the world giving martial arts demonstrations, reportedly including the fighting and killing of live bulls with his bare hands. His dojo was first located outside in an empty lot, but eventually moved into a ballet school. Oyama's own curriculum soon developed a reputation as a tough, intense, hard-hitting, but practical style. He also developed a reputation for being "rough" with his students, often injuring them, perhaps purposefully, during training sessions. As the reputation of the dojo grew, students were attracted to come to train there from in and outside Japan and the number of students grew. Many of the eventual senior leaders of today's various Kyokushin-based organizations began training in the style during this time. In 1964, Oyama formally organized the style of karate as Kyokushin-kai.

1964 to 1994

After formally establishing Kyokushin-kai, Oyama directed the organization through a period of expansion. Oyama and his staff of hand-picked instructors displayed great ability in marketing the style and gaining new members. Oyama would choose an instructor to open a dojo in another town or city in Japan. The instructor would move to that town and usually demonstrate his karate skills in public places, such as at the civic gymnasium, the local police gym (where many judo students would practice), a local park, or conduct martial arts demonstrations at local festivals or school events. In this way, the instructor would soon gain a few students for his new dojo. After that, word of mouth would spread through the local area until the dojo had a dedicated core of students. Oyama also sent instructors to other countries such as the United States of America and Brazil to spread Kyokushin in the same way. Upon Oyama's death, the International Karate Organization (IKO) splintered into several groups, in part due to conflict over who would succeed Oyama as chief and the future structure and philosophy of the organization. It was reported that Oyama named Matsui as his successor from his death bed, even though Matsui was junior to many others in the IKO organization. Some of the other senior members accepted Matsui as the new chief, and some didn't and left the organization. Matsui claimed that he and IKO owned the intellectual rights to all Kyokushin trademarks, symbols, and even the name Kyokushin. However, the Japanese legal system has recently ruled against Matsui and IKO in this matter.

Kyokushin Today

Controversy has plagued the Kyokushin organization (International karate organization kyokushinkaikan, usually shortened to IKO) since the death of Mas Oyama. Shokei Matsui assumed leadership based on a will that soon became contested. In a meeting of the branchchiefs it was decided by vote to request Matsui to relinquish the leadership, and when he refused to do so the organization split into what is today known as IKO1 and IKO2 (shinkyokushin). Many other splits and rifts soon followed. In the resulting power and legal struggles, many factions of the original IKO has formed. Many using the identical IKO name and claiming to be the one and original organization, with differing and hotly debated arguments and proof to support this.

The widow of Oyama dying recently (June 2006) after a long illness. The youngest of Oyama's daughters Kikuko (also known as Kuristina) has maintained the original Honbu Dojo with her husband, Yoshikazu Suzuki, after it was returned to them by Matsui in anticipation of a court order to do so in 1999, and recently formed an organization using the IKO name.

The organizations that resulted from the split after Oyama's death are generally recognised as three IKO groups. The Matsui IKO group (often known as IKO1) led by Shokei Matsui, is reportedly the largest most commercially oriented. Shinkyokushinkai, currently led by Kenji Midori, formed the World Karate Organization (often known as IKO2) is the second largest. It originally used the IKO name but was recently renamed to be allowed more freedom from the confused name situation in japan. Last of the 3 large groups is the "Matsushima" IKO group (often known as IKO3) led by Yoshikazu Matsushima. Other groups include the the "Tezuka" IKO group (often called IKO4) led by Toru Tezuka, which split out from the Matsushima group in 2000. The Rengokai (or Kyokushin Union), formed 2001. The Kyokushin-kan group created by Hatsuo Royama who left the Matsui group in 2003. The International Federation of Karate (IFK) of "Hanshi" Steve Arneil of England, also a long time student and former Branch Chief of Oyama who left Oyama's organization in 1991, before Oyama died. The most recent group is the IKO created by Oyamas daughter after winning the copyrights to the names in court. It is usually called "IKO Oyama" or "IKO Oyama family"

Many Kyokushin groups throughout the world have chosen to focus their experience around the philosophy of Kyokushin as a method of self-improvement and discipline. The Kyokushin way teaches its students that the most important aspects of training are not the ability to knock down an opponent. Instead, the person must contemplate the technique and understand that the true meaning of the Kyokushin way is not in violence, but the mastering of oneself. An important philosophy is never to do what you cannot undo, and never use more violence than is prompted or necessary. Through understanding of this comes the ability to fight on an elite level, but fighting is not the Kyokushin student's overall goal.

Techniques and Training

Kyokushin [4]training consists of three main elements: (1) technique, (2) forms, and (3) sparring. These are sometimes referred to as the three "K's" after the Japanese words for them: kihon (technique), kata (forms), and kumite (sparring).

Technique (kihon)

The Kyokushin system is based on traditional karate like shotokan and Goju Ryu, but incorporates many elements of combat sports like boxing and kickboxing in kumite. Many techniques like mae oroshi kakato geri (axe kick) are not found in other styles of karate. Today, some kyokushin fighters (like Francisco Filho and Glaube Feitosa) appear in kickboxing events like K-1, but apart for some exceptions, Kyokushin does not allow its students to appear in paid fights and remain with the style. In the past this has caused many highranking competitors to leave the organization, even if they continue practice the art and skills of kyokushin.

In this form of karate the instructor and its students all must take part in hard sparring to prepare them for full contact fighting. Unlike some forms of karate, Kyokushin places high emphasis on full contact fighting which is done without any gloves or protective equipment. This apparent brutality is tempered somewhat due to the fact that you are not allowed to strike your opponent in the face, thus greatly reducing the possibility of serious injury; knees or kicks to the head and face on the other hand are allowed.

In the earliest kyokushin tournaments and training sessions bare knuckle strikes to the face were allowed, but resulted in many injuries, and thus, students who were forced to withdraw from training. Mas Oyama believed that wearing protective gloves would detract from the realism that the style emphasizes. Therefore, it was decided that hand and elbow strikes to the head and neck would no longer be allowed in training and competition. Also, many governments don't allow bare knuckle strikes to the head in sanctioned martial arts competitions, providing further reason. The vast majority of Kyokushin organizations and "offshoot" styles today still follow this philosophy. However, at least one organization, Kyokushin-Kan, is attempting to bring face punching back into the training curriculum in a relatively safe way. [5]

Technically kyokushin is a circular style. This is in opposition to Shotokan karate which is counted as a linear style, and closer to gojuryu which is counted as circular. Shotokan and Goju Ryu were the two styles of karate that Oyama learned before creating his own style. However, Oyama studied Shotokan for only a couple of years, before he switched to Goju Ryu where he got his advanced training. This reflects in Kyokushin, where the early training closely resembles Shotokan but gradually change closer to the circular techniques and strategies the higher you advance in the system.

Forms (kata)

Northern Kata

The northern kata have their origins in Shotokan karate, which Oyama learned while training under Gichin Funakoshi.

Kyokushin unique Northern Kata

  • Piñan sono ichi Ura
  • Piñan sono ni Ura
  • Piñan sono san Ura
  • Piñan sono shi Ura
  • Piñan sono go Ura

Southern Kata

The southern kata have their origins in Gojo Ryu karate, which Oyama learned while training under Gogen Yamaguchi.

Kyokushin unique Southern Kata

The following katas are not traditional, they are not from Okinawa karate system or any other karate systems. They are developed by Kyokushin with Naha-Te perspective.

Ura Kata

Several kata are also done in ura. This means that on all steps forward, the practitioner slides his back leg behind his front leg and around to the position it would have been in had he stepped forward.

Sparring (kumite)

Sparring is a fighting part of Karate and is used to train the application of the various techniques into a fighting situation. Kumite is usually an important part of training in most Kyokushin organizations, especially at the upper levels with experienced students.

In most, but not all, Kyokushin organizations, hand or elbow strikes to the head or neck aren't permitted in kumite. However, kicks to the head are permitted. Contrary to popular belief, the reason for disallowing punches to the head is not because it is considered too dangerous for a fighter to take a punch to the head. The reason is because there is a great risk of breaking bones in the hand when not using gloves to strike the head. In some Kyokushin organizations, especially outside of a tournament environment gloves are worn and strikes to the head are allowed.

Culture

Grading

Kyokushin karate has a belt grading system similar to others in existence. The belt assigned to each student upon commencing training is a white belt. With each successful grading attempt, the student is awarded a kyu ranking, and either a stripe on his current belt or a new belt color altogether. The corresponding kyu and belt colors are as follows: 10th Kyu (Red or Orange), 9th Kyu (Red or Orange with Blue Stripe), 8th Kyu (Blue), 7th Kyu (Blue with Yellow Stripe), 6th Kyu (Yellow), 5th Kyu (Yellow with Green Stripe), 4th Kyu (Green), 3rd Kyu (Green with Brown Stripe), 2nd Kyu (Brown), 1st Kyu (Brown with Black Stripe). Grading to this level can take up to ten years of training. Once a student has attained his 1st Kyu ranking (the highest of the "beginner grades"), he may apply for dan grading: the rigorous process of attaining a first-degree black belt, also referred to as 1st dan or shodan. This usually consists of a 6-8 hour grading with all required elements of the grading syllabus completed including: kihon (basics), ido geiko (moving basics), goshinjitsu (self defence), sanbon and ippon kumite (three and one step sparring), kata (predescribed series of movements/forms), tameshiwari (board, tile or brick breaking) and kumite (contact free fighting). In Australia and New Zealand, Kumite for Shodan normally consists of 40 rounds: 1 1/2 to 2 minutes per round with no rest time between rounds. The last 10 to 15 rounds are usually against fresh black belts. In the IKO1 organization the shodan kumite consists of 20 rounds full contact fighting, and getting knocked down is not unusual. These tests are far more strenuous than the testing procedures for shodan for many other karate styles, like shotokan. Critics assert that since no one ever fights 20 people in a row in self defence, the test, while difficult, is somewhat pointless. The defense for this type of test is that while no-one realisticaly fights that many opponents in a row in a real fight situation, It is a test for stamina, technique, spirit and determination. As such the test is not there to test for a realistic situation, but to test the grading fighter to the outmost of his abillities, and beyond.

Dojo Kun

Sosai Oyama wrote the dojo kun as an oath for all kyokushin followers to proclaim. Today, it is often recited in kyokushin dojos all over the world.

(Japanese Version)

Hitotsu, ware ware wa, shinshin o renmashi, kakko fubatsu no shingi o kiwameru koto.

Hitotsu, ware ware wa, bu no shinzui o kiwame, ki ni hasshi, kan ni bin naru koto.

Hitotsu, ware ware wa, shitsujitsu gōken o motte jiko no seishin o kanyo suru koto.

Hitotsu, ware ware wa, reisetsu o omonji, Chōjō keishi sobō no furumai o tsutsushimu koto.

Hitotsu, ware ware wa, shinbutsu o tōtobi, kenjō no bitoku o wasurezaru koto.

Hitotsu, ware ware wa, chisei to tairyoku to o kōjō sase koto ni nozonde ayamatazaru koto.

Hitotsu, ware ware wa, shōgai no shugyō o karate no michi ni tsūji, Kyokushin no michi o mattō suru koto.

(English Version)

We will train our hearts and bodies for a firm, unshaking spirit.

We will pursue the true meaning of the Martial Way, so that in time our senses may be alert.

With true vigor, we will seek to cultivate a spirit of self-denial.

We will observe the rules of courtesy, respect our superiors, and refrain from violence.

We will follow our religious principles, and never forget the true virtue of humility.

We will look upwards to wisdom and strength, not seeking other desires.

All our lives, through the discipline of karate, we will seek to fulfill the true meaning of the Kyokushin Way.

Competition and Tournaments

Multi-man kumite

As mentioned previously, one aspect of Kyokushin's grading system is requiring upper-belt candidates to fight (do kumite) with multiple opponents in succession with little rest in between each opponent. Also, the upper-belt candidate is expected to continue fighting even if injured in earlier matches or bouts. This method is designed to test the "fighting spirit" or dedication to their art of the Kyokushin student, as well as the application of the technical knowledge that they've learned through (usually) years of studying the art. A favorable win to loss ratio is not necessarily required of the candidate (in most cases) multi-opponent kumite testing, just the ability to continue fighting until the test is over.

However, in addition to requiring multi-opponent kumite for upper-belt tests, a special tradition of Kyokushin has been the 50- and 100- man kumite. The 100-man kumite was designed as a special test for advanced practitioners of the art. In these extreme examples of multi-man kumite, the subject of the test fights 50 to 100 opponents (depending on the test) in rapid succession, usually two-minute bouts separated by one-minute rest periods. The subject has to "win" (i.e. not get knocked-out) in at least 50-percent of the bouts in order to be deemed as passing the test. One example of someone who successfully completed the 100-man kumite is Miyuki Miura. Reportedly, only 16 people have successfully completed the 100-man kumite and 20 the 50-man kumite[6]

Video Games

Jin Kazama from Namco's Tekken series uses the art of Kyokushin Karate in 5

Kadonashi Shintaro from Namco's Urban Reign video game uses the art of Kyokushinkai.

Kyokugenryu Karate is a fictional martial art from SNK's Art of Fighting, Fatal Fury and King of Fighters series. Kyokugenryu, which is practiced by Ryo Sakazaki, Robert Garcia, Yuri Sakazaki, Takuma Sakazaki and Marco Rodriguez/Khushnood Butt, is heavily based on Kyokushinryu Karate.

Movies

Kenka karate kyokushinken (aka Karate Bullfighter) (1975), Japanese movie based on the true life story of Mas Oyama. Starring Sonny Chiba and directed by Kazuhiko Yamaguchi. Movie followed by Kyokuskin kenka karate burai ken (aka Karate Bear Fighter) (1977) and Sora-te baka ichidai (aka Karate for life) (1977).

Baramui Fighter (aka Fighter in the wind) (2004), Korean movie very loosely based on the story of Mas Oyama's earlier career. Starring Dong-kun Yang and directed by Yun-ho Yang.

Notable Kyokushin practitioners (former or current)

See also

References

Organizations still operating under the name "Kyokushin"

Flavors, Styles, and Organizations based on Kyokushin

* Kyokushin World:

Books

  • Lowe, Bobby (Reprint: 1983). Mas Oyama's Karate. MacMillan Publishing Company. ISBN 0668011408. {{cite book}}: Check date values in: |year= (help)
  • Oyama, Masutatsu (1998). Mas Oyama's Complete Karate Course. Sterling Publishing Reissue. ISBN 0806988452.

Audio/visual media

Notes

  1. ^ http://www.cwu.edu/~iq/NWKyokushinkai/sosai.html
  2. ^ http://www.jukukarate.com/index.cfm?page=6
  3. ^ http://www.greenmountaindojo.com/page2.html
  4. ^ http://www.budokaratehouse.com/honbu/honbuhome4.htm
  5. ^ http://www.budokaratehouse.com/honbu/honbuhome4.htm
  6. ^ Australian Kyokushin, [1]
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