About Kyokushin
Kyokushin is a style of stand-up, full-contact karate, founded in 1964 by Masutatsu Oyama. Kyokushin is Japanese for "the society of the ultimate truth." Kyokushin is rooted in a philosophy of self-improvement, discipline and hard training. Its full contact style has had international appeal (practitioners have over the last 40+ years numbered more than 12 million). Kyokushin has influenced many of the "full-contact" schools of karate, emphasizing realistic combat, physical toughness, and practicality in its training curriculum. The knockdown karate competition system pioneered by kyokushin has been adopted by many different karate styles and organizations. Other martial arts organizations have "spun-off" from Kyokushin over the years, with some adding additions, such as grappling techniques, but continuing with the same philosophy of realistic and practical training methods. Kyokushin is presently known as the strongest form of karate.
About Masutatsu "Mas" Oyama
The founder of Kyokushin, Masutatsu Oyama, was born Choi Yong-i on July 27, 1923 in Il-Loong, Korea, during the long period of Japanese occupation. As a young child, Oyama enjoyed fighting and watching others fight. In 1938, he emigrated to Japan and studied Okinawan Karate under Gichin Funakoshi, eventually gaining 2nd dan. Later, Oyama also trained under Kotaro, a famous Aiki-Jujutsu master, from whom he received his an older form of grade, a scroll signifying mastery, from Kotaro. This scroll is still on display at the Honbu dojo in Tokyo. Also, upon the advice of his mentor and a member of the National Diet, Matsuhei Mori, around this time the young master took his Japanese name, Masutatsu Oyama, the name he would use for the rest of his life. After World War II, Oyama began his training in Goju Ryu karate under a Korean master in Japan, So Nei Chu, who ran a dojo in Tokyo along with the renowned Goju teacher, Gogen Yamaguchi. He would finally attain 8th Dan in Goju Ryu Karate. Another influence from the Goju school was Masahiko Kimura, although also a assistant karate instructor at the karate dojo Oyama trained at, Kimura was primarily a famous champion of Judo who defeated Helio Gracie. Kimura encouraged Oyama to take up judo so that he would have an understanding of the art's ground techniques. Kimura introduced Oyama to the Sone Dojo in Nakano, Tokyo, where he trained regularly for four years, eventually gaining his 4th Dan. It was after this time that Oyama first retreated into the mountains for one of his well-known solitary training periods, yamagomori. He completed two such retreats for a total of almost three years of solitary training in accord with the ascetic traditions of many of the great warriors of Japan through the centuries. During this period of isolated training, Oyama engaged in intense shugyo, or spiritual discipline. In the early 1950s, Oyama traveled to the USA visiting 32 states. Up to current times Kyokushin has remained a strong and respected form of karate with membership and participation at every corner of the globe.
 |  |
ABOUT SHINKYOKUSHIN
In 2003 was finally a break through in the IKO matters. Since the dead of Sosai Mas Oyama in 1994 the International Karate Organization (IKO) was orignally divided into 2 parts; IKO1 and IKO2. They were both claiming the inheritance of Kyokushin Karate. The judge decided that the last will and testament of Oyama was forged and that the IKO2 was the legitmate heir. On the other hand the name 'Kyokushin', the logo and the kanku sign are settled as trademark by IKO1. In the meanwhile many other International organizations appeared, like IKO3 and even IKO4, these all besides organizations which were already established when Oyama was still alive. In this labyrinth of IKO's, the IKO2 organization has changed their name in WKO = World Karate Organzation.
With a new logo and the addition 'Shin' for Kyokushin they want to discern from the others.
Shin means 'new' and this implies to the new way this organzations has turned into, and also for a new kind of organization with a democratic board and elections every 4 year. In current times.
About Shihan Kenji Midori
Shihan Kenji Midori is the president and chairman of the shinkyokushin and W.K.O. committee. His spirit and ambition continues to strive for the best fighting techniques within kyokushin practice and he remain one of the top figures in Kyokushin.
 |  |
