Kyokushin and ShinKyokushin

Founder of the Kyokushin Karate

The kyôkushin-Ryû (School of the ultimate truth/verity) is considered as one of the hardest, effective and the strictest styles of Japanese Karate. It was created at the end of the fifties from a master that became very fast a living legend: Masutatsu Oyama. Masutatsu Oyama was born in Korea in 1923. He starts to practice their two local martial arts: the Tae-Kyon and the Tae-Kwon-Pup. He also learns some kinds of wrestling and at the same time the Chinese and the Japanese Kenpô. In 1936 Masutatsu si in Tokyo where he starts to practice Jûdô. In 1938 he continues with Shôtôkan at the school directed from Gichin Funakoshi and Yoshitaka. After a while he told about Shôtôkan: "I did not like to control my techniques, so I left…" Oyama searched in Karate something else that he learned with the group Funakoshi. In 1940 he leaves Shôtôkan because the son of Funakoshi, Yoshitaka lost a fight with a Gôjû-Ryû expert. He judged this style as not effective. Masutatsu becomes a disciple of Master Sô Neishu who is one of the assistants of Gôgen Yamagushi, the founder of the Gôjû-Ryû. He practices with an exceptional will and an immense intensity. In 1947 he participates in Kyôto to a championship, which grouped the popular Karate schools of Japan. A championship with no rules! Oyama takes the opportunity and wins. At that time he was 24 years old. During a scuffle in a night bar of Tokyo, Oyama kills his opponent. For that, he goes immediately to jail. After a few months the verdict is "case of self-defense" and Oyama is released. He decides then to leave the city and to constrain himself to retire away from all. He stayed about 2 years in the mountains to deepen his knowledge of Zen and Karate. He practiced alone with all kinds of natural objects. For instance he placed some makiwara against trees, muscled himself with big stones, meditated under cascades and he hit stones and trees until his arms and hands were hurting so much that se could not continue. Oyama heard about a Master of Okinawa who made a fight against a bull. It was Master Sôkon Matsumura. Thus Oyama decides to try to fight against a bull too. During his whole life he faced 52 bulls, killing 3 and smashed the horns of the others. In 1957 Oyama creates in Tôkyô the Kyôkushinkai and in 1964 he creates the International Karate Organisation (I.K.O). Oyama organizes in 1969 the first Kyokushinkai All Japan Open Karate Tournament. 1972 was the year of the second world championships of the year of the World Union of Karatedo Organization (W.U.K.O) in Paris and in 1975 the first World Championships of Kyokushinkai took place in Tokyo.

Some results of World Champions in Kyokushinkai Karate:

  • 1975 Katsuaki Sato
  • 1979 Makoto Nakamura
  • 1984 Makoto Nakamura
  • 1987 Akiyoshi Matsui
  • 1991 Kenji Midori
  • 1995 Norichika Tsukamoto
  • 1999 Okamoto Toru
  • 2003 Kunihiro Suzuki
  • 2007 Takayuki Tsukakoshi
  • 2011 Norichika Tsukamoto

What is karate?

Karate appears fearful and destructive to many people, as movies have contributed to popularizing karate in the wrong way. There are also many people who think that karate is a fighting sport or perhaps even a dangerous game which make people to become violent.

Karate is a martial art, for many it is a way of life, and it shares the common goal with judo, kendo and aikido. The main reason is to cultivate the student both physically and mentally. It is also within reason to claim that karate, as the original martial art, through physical and spiritual training and discipline makes the impossible becomes possible, even to the unarmed, and helps one in pursuing the aim of his life. A physical training so strict naturally involves a demanding psychological training as well. Karate is a method of unifying the body and spirit of making human life at once broader and deeper.

Karate is a combination of two Japanese words. "Kara" meaning empty or open & "Te" meaning hand. It is therefore used to describe a style of unarmed combat.

Kyokushin karate – The Way of the Ultimate Truth

Kyokushin karate is a discipline through which practitioners may find clues to assist them in their own spiritual development and self-exploration. It is also, importantly, a martial art, encompassing philosophical considerations of life and death, struggle and survival. It is a practical form of self defense, emphasizing on( at the initial stages). It is an intense physical activity, which directly benefits mental conditioning.

"Kyokushin" is comprised of two Japanese words: 'Kyoku' meaning Ultimate or Extreme & 'Shin' meaning reality or truth from within.

The full name is kyokushinkaikan where: 'Kai' meaning meet, join or associate & 'kan' meaning school/building.

The official dogi (karate uniform) used by a kyokushin practitioner has the word kyokushinkai embroidered on the left side of the dogi-jacket, this calligraphy is called "kanji" . The internationally recognized symbol of kyokushin karate, the kanku originates from kata Kanku Dai. In this form, the hands are raised to the sky with the fingers touching. The logo interprets the fingers as the points implying the peaks, representing the wrists as the wide sections, signifying power. The center represents infinity and the circle that encloses the parts, continuity and circular motion. It is the utilization of this circular movement in the execution of techniques that distinguishes kyokushinkai karate from the traditional styles of karate that rely on simple linear movement.

Kyokushin karate is characterized by requiring of its participants, strenuous training, conditioning and realistic contact while sparring. Kyokushin karate-ka believe that this contact is necessary in order to fully appreciate the resiliency of the human body and spirit and to prepare for any serious confrontation. The word 'OSU' and the phrase "osu no seidin" (perseverance under pressure) succinctly summarize the essence of the Dojo Kun, written by Sosai Mas Oyama and Eiji Yoshikawa.

Kyokushin philosophy is further reflected in the following maxim:

"…One Thousand days of training, A beginner; Ten thousand days of training, A master." By Masutatsu Oyama

Karate-Do - The Spiritual Considerations

Karate is not merely a method of self-defense; its total concept lies far deeper than just physical cultivation. It is said that if physical development is the beginning of karate, then mental development is the ultimate endeavour. When we use the phrase Karate-do, we should emphasise do meaning 'the way', suggesting a higher degree of aspiration than learning just how to block, kick or punch. The major purpose of Karate should be to train a person to achieve a level of perfection within his character by reaching a level of self-control. Such a person will have developed a awareness which may enable him to avoid or deflect situations of physical aggravation and potential violence which would, in a less developed person, require the application of his Karate abilities. Mas Oyama Shihan's belief is that Karate should be non-violent – it ought to deny violence. One of Gichin Fimakoshi's precepts was 'there is no first attack in Karate'. Perhaps this concept of the way of Karate may offer an explanation as to why large numbers of Americans and Europeans are joining classes (often expensive classes) to learn Karate. Perhaps it is the co-ordination of mental and physical development side by side which draws occidentals from their easy-going cultures, which have developed devastating methods of destruction, to an art of weaponless fighting which, even at its best, can never be a match for a gun and, at its worst, can be quite primitive.

Karate Etiquette

As we have seen from Funakoshi's teaching, etiquette is stressed in Karate teaching at least as much as in the other martial arts. The rigid dojo discipline, the insistence by masters of each style, and the utilisation of the term Karate-do-or way of Karate – to emphasise the ethical basis of this system of self-defense, are all evidence of matters which differentiate Karate and other martial arts – but particularly Karate-from 'sport' in the accepted sense of the word.

The western world has prouder many fighting arts, but these have rarely, if ever, included a philosophy in the art itself. Karate-do infers not only the necessity for the student to learn the physical application of technique, but also the spiritual utilisation of such techniques towards self-realisation and self-fulfillment. Many martial arts, including Karate, also have a religious foundation, and a shrine will be found in the major dojos at their highest point as a reminder of Karate's philosophical background. A further reminder is the period left for mediation (zazen), usually at the end of the training session, to clear the mind and to relax the body.

The Belt System and Grade Terminology

Below black belt, members are 'kyu' grades (literally 'boy'), and depending upon the continent and school rules, will normally wear different colours for each kyu grade, other than black.

Above the colour/belts, the grades are DAN grades (literally 'man') and in Kyokushinkai are as follows:

  • Black Belt
  • 1st Dan Shodan
  • 2nd Dan Nidan
  • 3rd Dan Sandan - Sensei Grade
  • 4th Dan Yondan - Sensei Grade
  • 5th Dan Godan - Shihan Grade
  • 6th Dan Rokudan - Shihan Grade
  • 7th Dan Sichidan - Shihan Grade

The Emergence of Shinkyokushinkai karate

Master our mind : Words of Shihan Kenji Midori

In April 1994, the kyokushinkai family was crying the death of Sosai Masutatsu Oyama who was suffering from lung cancer.

We all know about the 'saga' which followed the death of Sosai. The following message was stated by our president Shihan Kenji Midori in October 2003:-

Kyokushin karate is a great cultural and spiritual heritage established by late Sosai Masutatsu Oyama's utmost efforts which our country can be proud of to the world. The words by Sosai, saying " With our head low and our eyes high, with moderate words and generous heart, we will benefit others, on the basis of piety" are the essence of kyokushin.

Now we have taken over the will of Sosai by starting our renewed organization, " Shinkyokushinkai" with its three valuable missions, 'Youth Education', 'International Communication' and 'Social Contribution', to step forward to spread bushido spirits and Budo( Martial Art) karate world wide.

For that purpose, we will daily continue our efforts in training to succeed the pride and the spirit of kyokushin karate, and will also continue our contribution to the world peace through promoting our positive activities as a Non-Profit organization.

Formation of Shinkyokushinkai's Philosophy

The mind, the skill and the body.

This mark expresses the formation of 'Mind'. The original idea of kyokushin comes from the innermost secret; "You learn the basics after one thousand days of training. You master your mind after ten thousand days of training." This mark also expresses the unification of mind, skill and body which is essential for fostering the spirit of budo.

Philosophy of shinkyokushinkai karate

'MASTER OUR MIND'
"We want to seek the most powerful Budo karate."…
With this expectation, "Shinkyokushinkai" was established to contribute to world peace, by mastering our mind.
O S U !!

The Meaning of OSU

Osu means patience, respect and appreciation. In order to develop a strong body and a strong spirit it is necessary to undergo rigorous training. This is very demanding, because you must push yourself to what you believe to be your limit, and you want to stop; to give up. When you reach this point you must fight yourself and your weakness and you must win. To do this you must learn to be patient. This is Osu! The reason you subject yourself to hard training is because you care about yourself, and to care about yourself is to respect yourself. This self-respect evolves and expands to become respect for your instructor and fellow students. When you enter the dojo you bow and say "Osu". This means you respect your dojo and the time you spend training there. This feeling of respect is Osu! During training you push yourself as hard as possible because you respect yourself. When you finish you bow to your instructor and fellow students and say "Osu" once more. You do this out of appreciation. This feeling of appreciation is Osu. Thus Osu is a very important word in Kyokushin Karate because it signifies patience, respect and appreciation. That is why we always use the word Osu; to remind ourselves of these indispensable qualities.

The importance of the Kiai

The use of the Kiai is a very important thing in karate. In short, Kiai is a piercing yell or shout generated from the lower abdomen and can be compared to the roar of a tiger when jumping towards its prey. It will increase the confidence of the person effecting the technique and will, if effected correctly, tend to lessen the opponent's confidence and, if unsuspecting, the opponent may also be startled. It also enables the attacker's mind to be cleared and to commit himself totally to his technique. Such is the physical manifestation of Kiai that is claimed that masters can use the Kiai to stun a person at a distance.

The correct breathing

The breathing exercises are one of the most essential phases of Karate training. The intention is not only to refresh the respiratory system, but also to strengthen the lower abdomen area. Consequently the Karate breathing exercises are abdominal exercises. The importance of correct breathing is rule to the vital rule of mastering body tension and the concentration of strength at a given second, both of which can only be obtained to a high degree by correct breathing technique. It is a principle of physics that the greatest force will be developed by the body at the point when one half of the lungs' air capacity has been expelled. Weight lifters and most other sportsmen in the 'iron game' of field events, shot-put, javelin and discuss are very aware of this. In Karate the use of Kiai or shout is one example of the use of breath control. To examine the principles of Karate breathing further it is necessary to consider the three main divisions:

  • Normal breathing
  • Ibuki
  • Nogare

 

Normal breathing is the usual quiet everyday breathing using the chest. All forms of breathing have two sides, the 'input' and 'output'. When a person is exhilarated or laughing, the emphasis is one the output; of a person is scared, the emphasis will be an input. Breath control is necessary to restore normal breathing after exertion.

Nogare is a method of breathing used in actual combat or practice fighting to maintain composure and control. The breath should be inhaled deeply and quietly through the nose, held for a few seconds and then exhaled through the mouth in a controlled manner. The tongue is placed behind the teeth to silence the sound of breathing. Practice of this particular breathing technique will help in the development of the diaphragm which is all-important in Karate training.

Ibuki is involved in both Sanchin and Tensho Katas. Ibuki can beused to restore normal breathing after a strong blow to the diaphragm or stomach which has left one weak or winded.

O s u !