Sosai Masutatsu (Mas) Oyama
Founder of Kyokushin Karate
In the annals of martial arts, few styles have had such a profound impact as Kyokushin Karate. The brainchild of a visionary martial artist, Masutatsu Oyama, Kyokushin emerged as a unique and powerful form of karate that continues to captivate practitioners and spectators alike. The story of Kyokushin’s founding is a tale of dedication, sacrifice, and the relentless pursuit of the ultimate martial way.
Picture a young Korean boy named Choi Yeong-eui, born in 1923, whose life would forever change when he began studying Chinese Kempo at the tender age of nine. Little did he know that his passion for martial arts would lead him to Japan, where he would forge a new path and a new identity as Sosai Masutatsu Oyama.
Upon arriving in Japan in 1938, Oyama wasted no time in pursuing his martial arts dreams. He dove into the study of judo and boxing, honing his skills and immersing himself in the warrior’s way. In 1943, Oyama joined the Imperial Japanese Army and continued his martial arts with the Butoku-ka, the official martial arts organisation sanctioned by the Imperial Japanese Government.
Training under the tutelage of the legendary Gichin Funakoshi, the founder of Shotokan Karate, Oyama began to develop his skills and understanding of this captivating martial art. His thirst for knowledge led him to study Goju-Ryu Karate under master So Nei Chu a student of Chojun Miyagi, the founder of Goju-Ryu.
As Oyama’s skills grew, so did his aspirations. There is some evidence that Mas Oyama studied Daito-Ryu Aiki-jujutsu and other ancient Japanese martial arts, whose teachings emphasized the importance of rigorous physical conditioning and an indomitable spirit. The flames of the ancient philosophy burned brightly within Oyama’s soul, igniting a passion that would shape the foundations of Kyokushin Karate.
In the late 1940s, Oyama embarked on a transformative journey, retreating to the remote Mt Minobu to engage in a period of intense training and introspection. For 14 months, Mas Oyama lived in isolation, dedicating himself to grueling physical training, meditation, and the study of martial arts. Mas Oyama returned to Tokyo a much stronger and much more fierce fighter; this crucible of self-discovery forged the iron will and unwavering determination that would come to define Kyokushin Karate.
Returning from his mountain odyssey, Oyama brought his newfound wisdom and strength to Tokyo, where he began teaching martial arts in 1953. In a humble grassy lot in Mejiro, Tokyo, the first Oyama Dojo was born. As the dojo flourished, it eventually relocated to a more permanent home in Ikebukuro.
With the stage set, Oyama set about crafting the unique style of karate that would become his legacy. Drawing from his diverse background in Shotokan, Goju-Ryu, and his broad study of martial arts, he developed a powerful and innovative martial art that emphasized strength, endurance, and intense training. In 1964, he christened his creation “Kyokushinkai,” a name that roughly translates to “ultimate truth association” and embodies the relentless pursuit of the ultimate martial way. Oyama later formally founded the International Karate Organisation Kyokushinkaikan, or I.K.O.K, know today as IKO.
The growth of Kyokushin Karate was nothing short of meteoric. Oyama’s passion and dedication inspired countless students, and dojos began to spring up first across Japan and then the world. Soon Kyokushin dojos could be found in Europe, the Americas, and beyond. Oyama’s dedication to the development and promotion of his martial art was truly tireless, and his efforts laid the groundwork for a global Kyokushin community.
A key factor in Kyokushin’s widespread appeal was its emphasis on full-contact sparring, known as kumite. This form of combat training pushed practitioners to their limits, fostering a sense of camaraderie and mutual respect among those who shared the Kyokushin journey. Oyama himself was an ardent proponent of the power of kumite, famously engaging in fights with bulls to demonstrate the effectiveness and strength of his martial art.
As Kyokushin grew in popularity, so too did its reputation for hosting intense and demanding tournaments. In 1975, the first World Full Contact Karate Championship took place in Tokyo, Japan. This historic event showcased the prowess and spirit of Kyokushin practitioners from around the world, firmly establishing the martial art as a global phenomenon.
Sadly, Sosai Masutatsu Oyama passed away in 1994, but his indomitable spirit and teachings continue to inspire generations of martial artists. Today, Kyokushin Karate remains a prominent and respected martial art, its practitioners bound by a shared pursuit of the ultimate truth in both body and spirit.
From its humble beginnings in a grassy lot in Tokyo to its present status as a global martial arts powerhouse, the story of Kyokushin Karate is a testament to the vision and determination of its founder, Sosai Masutatsu Oyama. His relentless pursuit of the ultimate martial way has left an indelible mark on the world of martial arts and continues to inspire countless practitioners to seek their own path toward the ultimate truth.
Kancho Shokei Matsui – Current President
Shokei (Akiyoshi) Matsui started Kyokushin Karate at the age of 13. In 1976, he joined the Kita Nagare-Yama Dojo in the Chiba prefecture of Japan, managing to achieve Shodan (first degree) Black Belt in a little over a year. In 1980, Matsui placed fourth in the 12th All Japan Open Karate Championships when he was just 17. Soon after, he became Chief Instructor of the International Kyokushin Headquarters School, “Honbu” Dojo in Tokyo, Japan.
Both in 1981 and 1982, Matsui took 3rd Place in the All Japan Open Karate Championships and then 8th place at the same event in 1983. He earned worldwide recognition and admiration for his amazing spirit, strength, and determination when he took a remarkable Third place finish at the 3rd World Open Karate Tournament in 1984. He succeeded in winning the All Japan Championships in each of 1985 and 1986, and then successfully completed the ultimate Kyokushin challenge, the “100 Man Kumite” in record time. In Japan, he became known as the man of “unparalleled genius”, one who comes along but once in an eon, and then in 1987 became the youngest ever Champion of the World.
In May of 1992, Matsui opened his own school in Asakusa, Tokyo and was later appointed Branch Chief by Sosai Mas Oyama. On April 26, 1994, founder Sosai Mas Oyama regrettably passed away, leaving the Directorship of the worldwide organization to Matsui, who became “Kancho” (Director). In the wake of the Sosai’s untimely death, and despite the well-documented backlash concerning his appointment, Kancho Matsui forged ahead that year staging the 11th All Japan Weight Tournament and the 27th All Japan Championships, the latter with a record 16,000 spectators in attendance. The following year, he produced the hugely successful, 6th World Open Karate Tournament, to which 168 fighters from all over the world competed and more than 25,000 spectators witnessed.
Kancho Shokei Matsui has planned, produced and presented numerous groundbreaking martial arts events to the world, including inaugurating the “World Cup”-Team Karate Championships, the “Women’s World Karate Championships”, the “World Weight Category Karate Championships”, the “International Senior Karate Championships”, the “International Kata Championships” and the “International Youth Karate Championships”, to which nearly 2000 competitors aged 4-17 from around the world participated. These events are in addition to continuing the grand legacy Mas Oyama began by presenting the once-every-four-year, World Open Karate Tournament, and event that has grown to become the largest, most revered and renowned martial arts competition the world has ever seen.
Currently, the International Karate Organization has over 12 million members in 125 countries. While simultaneously managing the organization from its headquarters in Japan, Kancho Matsui travels to Branches around the globe to teach and spread the spirit of the Kyokushin Way to countries and cultures everywhere.
