Oyama Karate – The Birth of Kyokushinkai

Oyama Karate is the style of karate developed by Masutatsu “Mas” Oyama, a legendary martial artist whose vision reshaped modern karate. Internationally, this style is recognized as Kyokushinkai Karate, meaning “the ultimate truth.” Known for its rigorous training, full-contact sparring, and philosophy of mental and physical discipline, it has become one of the most influential karate systems in the world.

Mas Oyama was a Japanese-Korean martial artist born in 1923 in Korea. From a young age, he showed a strong interest in martial arts and began studying kempo at the age of 9. As a teenager, he moved to Japan, where he trained under several great masters, including Gichin Funakoshi, the founder of Shotokan Karate. This early exposure to different martial arts helped shape his unique approach, eventually culminating in the birth of Kyokushinkai.

The Development of Oyama Karate

The roots of Oyama Karate began in the early 1950s, when Mas Oyama opened his first dojo in Tokyo. It was here that Kyokushinkai started gaining recognition internationally. Unlike many other karate styles of the time, Oyama emphasized a hard, realistic, and full-contact form of training. Fighters were trained not to retreat but to stand their ground, delivering powerful strikes and kicks with unwavering spirit.

Mas Oyama’s philosophy centered on developing both mind and body. He was a strong believer in discipline, perseverance, and self-reflection. To refine his technique and inner strength, Oyama spent long periods in the mountains, training in harsh conditions and living in solitude. Through this intense practice, he perfected his style and tested his strength by challenging other fighters across Asia and the United States, often taking on boxers, wrestlers, judokas, and karate practitioners.

The Foundation of Kyokushinkai

While Oyama Karate had existed for over a decade, it was in 1964 that it was formally recognized with the establishment of the International Karate Organization Kyokushinkaikan. From this moment, Kyokushinkai spread rapidly across the world, becoming one of the largest karate organizations globally.

In Kyokushinkai fighting, practitioners engage in close-range combat with fast, powerful punches and kicks. Unlike many other martial arts, hooks and looping punches are avoided. Sparring is full contact and traditionally conducted without protective gear, making it one of the most demanding karate styles. Victory in competition is often achieved by knockout, with the goal of knocking down an opponent three times within a two-minute round. This toughness earned Kyokushinkai the reputation as the “strongest form of karate.”

Rules and Mottos of Oyama Karate

Oyama Karate is not only about physical power but also about cultivating the spirit and character of its practitioners. Students are expected to live by seven guiding rules and eleven mottos that instill discipline, respect, and self-control. A few key principles include:

Training the heart and body for an unshakable spirit.
Pursuing the true meaning of martial arts, with alert senses and awareness.
Developing a spirit of self-denial and humility.
Following the rules of courtesy, respecting superiors, and avoiding unnecessary violence.

These teachings highlight that Kyokushinkai is as much a way of life as it is a martial art.

Karate as a Sport

Though originally developed as a martial discipline, karate has also evolved into a global competitive sport. Since the early 20th century, pioneers like Kenwa Mabuni and Gichin Funakoshi introduced karate in Japan, where it gained recognition as both a martial art and a sport.

Modern karate tournaments feature a variety of events, including:

Breaking demonstrations (board and brick breaking).
Weapons kata (forms with traditional weapons).
Self-defense techniques.
Traditional and open kata competitions.
Sparring matches, which are the most exciting and widely followed.

These competitions bring together practitioners from different karate styles, showcasing the diversity and richness of the art.

Uniform, Belts, and Ranks

The karate uniform, or gi, is traditionally white, consisting of the kimono-style top, dogi/keikogi pants, and a belt that indicates rank. The belt system, inspired by Judo’s founder Jigoro Kano, represents a practitioner’s progress and expertise.

White belt: beginner.
Black belt: highest rank, symbolizing mastery.

Between these two extremes are several colored belts that vary by organization, often including yellow, orange, green, blue, brown, and their subdivisions. Each belt represents not just skill but also dedication, perseverance, and growth in character.

Styles and Variations

Karate today can broadly be divided into traditional styles and full-contact styles:

Traditional Styles: Shotokan, Goju-Ryu, Wado-Ryu, Shito-Ryu, Kushin-Ryu, and Shindo Jinen Ryu. These focus on kata, basic techniques, and spiritual development.
Full-Contact Styles: Kyokushin-Kaikan (Oyama Karate) and Kansuiryu, where sparring is intense, realistic, and often practiced without protective gear.

Many of these styles have produced offshoots, but the core philosophy remains the same: karate as a path of self-improvement and discipline.

Legacy of Mas Oyama

Mas Oyama left behind not just a style of karate but a global movement. His emphasis on physical conditioning, full-contact fighting, and spiritual growth continues to inspire martial artists worldwide. Today, Kyokushinkai dojos exist across the globe, carrying forward his vision of karate as the “ultimate truth.”