Here Shokei Matsui is doing a “40 man kumite” where he fights 40 one and one half minute rounds against fresh opponents each time. Matsui eventually passed the “100 man kumite” challenge where he had to fight 100 continuous rounds against fresh opponents for each round. This knockdown fighting style is a testament to the rigorous training and high caliber of a seasoned karateka, demonstrating an incredible level of focus needed to strike and block successfully throughout. It embodies the kihon, or basic form, essential to mastering the fundamentals of Kyokushin.
The Hard Training and Powerful Techniques of Kyokushin Karate
Kyokushin Karate is a powerful and physically demanding style of karate known for its tough training methods and full-contact sparring. Founded in 1964 by Korean-Japanese karate master Masutatsu Oyama, Kyokushin has become one of the most influential karate styles in the world. At the heart of its training are katas and kihon, which are practiced to perfection. Each movement, each form, embodies the art’s explosive strikes and defensive blocks. Many student practitioners in schools worldwide dedicate themselves to mastering these techniques, honing their skills for self-defense and personal growth.
While retaining its emphasis on tradition, honor, and respect, in modern times, when full contact sparring was taught in almost all schools, it is now known as the strongest version of karate, and hence one of the best versions for self-defense. Kyokushinkai training develops strength, balance, agility, coordination, endurance, and fitness, guiding students on their way to achieving the coveted black belt. This journey is one of immense discipline, where every block and strike, every kihon form, is a testament to their growth.
History and Origins
Mas Oyama was born Choi Young-Eui in southern Korea in 1923. At a young age, he moved to Japan where he started training in karate while still a teenager. He studied both Shotokan and Goju. Dissatisfied with the lack of contact and realistic training in most karate schools at the time, Oyama decided to create his own style focused on developing powerful techniques through hard sparring and conditioning. His style also used both the straight line attacking methods of Shotokan and the circular blocking methods of Goju, forming a unique kihon that has become a cornerstone in Kyokushin.
In 1953, Oyama did a legendary feat of fighting 100 martial artists in a row, winning all matches. This helped establish his reputation as an elite karate master. A few years later, in 1957, he formally founded Kyokushin, which translates to “ultimate truth,” and opened his main dojo in Tokyo. The teachings focused on the way of martial arts through mastery of strikes and blocks, creating a robust martial discipline that appealed to students eager to learn the profound kihon of this art.
Oyama’s philosophy for Kyokushin revolved around self-improvement through rigorous discipline and overcoming physical and mental weakness. Training focused heavily on bare-knuckle full-contact sparring, intensive striking drills, and strengthening the body through conditioning exercises.
Oyama favored powerful punching techniques like the spearhand thrust and roundhouse kick, which became hallmarks of Kyokushin. Kyokushinkai eventually added some techniques from Boxing, Judo, and Muay Thai, blending them into a cohesive and formidable combat method, while maintaining the precise kihon that defines Kyokushin.
Back when this was possible, Oyama traveled to the United States and fought any and all comers in full-contact matches. He always won. He also fought actual bulls in the ring, and performed amazing demonstrations of his speed and power.
Spread and Growth
In a few short years, Kyokushin expanded rapidly in Japan and internationally. Oyama sent instructors out to open branch dojos and organize tournaments to recruit new students, all eager to learn the foundational forms, or kihon, critical to mastering the art.Notable early disciples who helped promote Kyokushin included Keiji Sawada, Steve Arneil, and Jon Bluming. Each aspiring student in these dojos learned the importance of discipline, as they mastered the blocks and strikes essential to the art. The basics of Kyokushin were imparted with precision, ensuring that both the foundational techniques and the more complex movements became second nature to its dedicated members.
By the 1970s, Kyokushin had dojos and followers in over 100 countries. Its popularity was largely due to its appeal to those seeking realistic combat training compared to other karate styles of the time. Kyokushin fighters often did well in early mixed martial arts and kickboxing matches, adding to its reputation.
Kumite, Kata, and Training
At the core of Kyokushin is full-contact sparring (kumite) done bare-knuckle and with only a groin protector allowed. Matches are held on an open mat and won by knockout or judges’ decision. This kind of sparring is intense and builds devastating striking ability that every school focuses on honing through continuous practice. Here, the basics of Kyokushin form the bedrock of advanced techniques, ensuring practitioners remain solidly grounded as they advance.
Kyokushin kata are done with powerful snap techniques meant to build explosive power. While relatively few in number, kyokushin kata are practiced repeatedly as part of training discipline. Although punches to the head were originally allowed, due to injuries, the rules changed and punches to the face are no longer allowed. The way of this martial art is one of resilience and adaptation, maintaining the core ethos of karateka forever striving for self-improvement and mastery over their craft. However, kicks are allowed to the head, and low kicks to the legs are also allowed. This can be seen in diverse martial arts traditions such as Goju-Ryu, which, like Kyokushin, emphasizes both mental and physical discipline among its practitioners. Each student learns to strike with precision and block with skill, embodying the tradition’s focus and dedication to martial arts excellence.
Conditioning the body is critical in Kyokushin. Practitioners strive to strengthen their bones, joints, and connective tissues by hitting heavy bags, pads, and other objects. This allows them to deliver and withstand intense blows. Calusing hands and feet is seen as a sign of proper conditioning. Such rigorous practices ensure that those participating in competitions exhibit both durability and determination, traits that are admired in any country where martial arts are practiced.
Other training includes meditation, technique drills, flexibility exercises, weight training, and cardiovascular work. Students must show perseverance and dedication through such hard training methods. This pursuit of excellence is reminiscent of the commitment shown by the founder of Goju-Ryu, who instilled similar values in his students. Much like a dedicated teacher guiding students through the ranks, from kyu levels to dan levels, this training cultivates both skill and resilience among its members.
Tournaments and Notable Fighters
In the early years, Oyama led a group of five fighters who challenged the Thais on their own turf with their own rules. Oyama won his match, as did most of the other karate fighters. However, Oyama was quite impressed by the Thai fighters and incorporated all of their kicks into his style. Additionally, he modified the roundhouse kick to become a hybrid of the karate roundhouse and the Muay Thai roundhouse. His ability to adapt and improve his style showcased his continuous dedication to excellence, ensuring that his techniques were as strong as the leather belts worn by experienced martial artists.
The All-Japan Kyokushin Karate Championship has been held yearly since 1975 and is the style’s most prestigious tournament. Champions are revered for their mental and physical toughness, having mastered both the basics and the more intricate aspects of Kyokushin, a testament to their unwavering commitment as esteemed members of this martial arts discipline.Some all-time greats include Makoto Nakamura, Francisco Filho, Nicholas Pettis, and Glaube Feitosa. Andy Hug was arguably the biggest icon in Kyokushin history, winning the world openweight title four times and bringing him worldwide fame. These competitions highlight the spirit of determination and mastery that Kyokushin athletes strive for, as they reach advanced dan rankings.
In bare-knuckle openweight fights, Kyokushin fighters have done well, displaying their knockout power and durability. Notable victories include Kenji Yamaki over Muay Thai legend Changpuek Kiatsongrit and Francisco Filho against kickboxing great Rob Kaman. Later, Kyokushin fighters transitioned successfully into kickboxing and mixed martial arts. Georges St-Pierre, Bas Rutten, and Gokhan Saki are some prominent examples. Their success is a testament to the broad applicability of their training and their dedication to martial arts excellence, embodying the discipline taught at every level, whether kyu or dan.
Kyokushinkai fighters also did very well in K1, Glory, and One championships where fighters wear gloves, and full-power punches and kicks were allowed to almost all parts of the body. There have also been a number of Kyokushinkai-based fighters who did well in MMA contests, further proving their determination, akin to tightly securing belts around their waists, as a symbol of their skill and commitment.
It should be noted, however, that in these types of contests, Kyokushinkai fighters used boxing punches and techniques rather than traditional karate hand techniques, and on the few occasions where karate fighters are willing to fight against boxers using boxing rules, they have almost always lost. This reflects a divergence from tradition in pursuit of competitive success, even as they strive for higher dan levels and recognition.
Splinter Groups and Spinoffs
Oyama, like Yip Man, chose no successor. After his death in 1994, Kyokushin experienced several schisms into new organizations mostly headed by his senior students. While the International Karate Organization (IKO) headed by Shokei Matsui remains the flagship group, others formed such as IKO-1, Kyokushin-kan, and World Oyama Karate. Most retained Oyama’s basic philosophy and training system but with minor variations, keeping the traditions alive in different forms, like a respected teacher guiding students through various academic curricula in different schools.
Kyokushin’s popularity also spawned many offshoots and hybrid styles. Ashihara Karate focuses more on striking on the ground and grappling. Enshin karate allows low kicks and uses sabaki movements. Daido juku emphasizes knockouts through head punches. And World Oyama Karate added more protective gear for competition safety. Sensei Tadashi Nakamura, one of Oyama’s oldest and top-ranked instructors, eventually broke off and formed the Seido organization. These variations parallel the evolution seen in educational systems across the country, adapting teachings to suit contemporary needs.
While fragmented, most Kyokushin groups remain closely connected to their roots with kata, kumite, and self-improvement through rigorous conditioning being at the core. Oyama’s emphasis on absolute dedication and perseverance through hard training continues to inspire martial artists worldwide, encouraging them to pursue excellence and embody the spirit of the practitioners, much like a devoted teacher who imparts wisdom to students at every belt level, ensuring they grow from kyu to dan.
