What Is Karate Masutatsu Oyama?

Masutatsu "Mas" Oyama founded the realistic, hard-fighting karate style he named kyokushin. The phrase "Karate Masutatsu Oyama" refers to this fighting system, which stresses physical conditioning, self-discipline, powerful punches and kicks, and a tradition of realistic sparring. Oyama worked hard to develop toughness and persistence in himself throughout his life. The style of karate he founded sought to develop these traits in his students.

Mas Oyama's Background

Oyama was born in Korea in 1923. He began studying martial arts around the age of 9. As a youth, he studied fighting systems that incorporated elements of jujutsu, kempo and kung fu. Oyama moved to Japan when he was 14 to enroll in a military academy. He continued his training by studying Shotokan karate. When drafted into the Japanese army during World War II, his martial arts experience enabled him to join a group responsible for training soldiers in guerilla tactics and espionage. Following the war, Oyama began to study Goju-ryu karate, a style that had a significant influence on the style he would later develop.

Mas Oyama's Accomplishments

Oyama spent over a year living and training alone in a remote part of Chiba Prefecture in Japan. He trained daily and meditated to build his strength and character. His routine included toughening his hands by hitting trees, breaking stones with his bare hands and meditating while sitting under a waterfall. After returning from his retreat, Oyama gained publicity by demonstrating his courage and strength fighting bulls that had been scheduled for slaughter. He furthered his reputation by fighting against anyone who would accept his challenge when he traveled to different parts of the world to demonstrate his abilities.

Founding Kyokushin Karate

In 1953, Oyama opened a dojo in Tokyo. His extensive training and personal experiences led him to practice and teach a hard form of karate that he named kyokushin four years later. In 1964 the kyokushin dojo relocated to the Toshima area of Tokyo. This site became the headquarters of a worldwide organization that eventually had 1.5 million practitioners. After Oyama's death in 1994, the kyokushin organization split into different factions, a fate common in the martial arts after a founder dies. Nevertheless, to this day kyokushin karate retains the reputation for toughness that Oyama imparted to it.

Features Of Kyokushin Karate

Kyokushin karate has a reputation for challenging its students. Its emphasis on physical conditioning and realistic sparring reflect the values Oyama encouraged his students to adopt. These are summed up in the concept of "Osu," a contraction of the Japanese words "oshi" and "shinobu." "Oshi" means to push and "shinobu" means to endure. The stress kyokushin karate training places upon conditioning, dedication, self-discipline and patience is evoked each time the word "Osu" is spoken in the dojo.