History of Kyokushin
History of Kyokushin
Mas Oyama - founder of Kyokushin Karate-Do (1923 - 1994)
The rapid march across countries and continents of the new
style of karate - Kyokushin karate - a consequence and
phenomenal achievements of his legendary founder of Mas Oyama
and indisputable advantages he founded the school. The name
"Kyokushin" embedded deep meaning. Kyoko - means the final
limit; Sin - means truth or reality; Kai - means meeting or
contact. This system of combat training and psychological,
spiritual and moral education of the masters, the "union of
absolute truth seekers" in the way of martial arts throwing a
decisive challenge to the limits of human capabilities, gained
well-deserved popularity.
Thank Mas Oyama in the early 50s crossed the borders of Japan
and spread around the world. Thank Kyokushin as "the strongest
Karate", characterized by an athletic, power, and dynamic, real
contact fighting style, firmly established in the mid 70s.
Already at the first open championship of the world according to
the rules of Kyokushin no representatives of other styles,
including contact (among them were students of the "King of Kung
Fu" Bruce Lee and Thai boxing champion), could not resist the
onslaught of Kyokushin fighters ...
In the new socio-historical conditions of Mas Oyama Karate
implement reforms, which decided overdue to the middle of XX
century "cultural-environmental" issue. It was revived Karate as
a martial art with the traditional system of spiritual and moral
values. As a martial art, Karate Kyokushin dissociated itself
from a pure sports, shareware game, contactless styles of karate
and gymnastics from exotic wushu. As the traditional system of
spiritual and moral education, Kyokushin karate is fundamentally
different from other contact sports: full contact, kick boxing,
karate-style ol et al., Which are very far from the traditional
Eastern spiritual values.
On the basis of the traditional Oyama managed to achieve
generalising Japanese karate school, it Chinese and other
counterparts, other types of martial arts, to create a modern
advanced and constantly updated system of military and
psychological preparation. Kyokushin style is not totally
individual style. Its essence - in organic synthesis of the best
technical and tactical elements of many national styles Far East
and Southeast Asia. At the same time, this style has its own
peculiarities, which is manifested in power, dynamic principles
of warfare, conducted in a very high pace. From the technical,
despite the various borrowing, this style has its own face and
their own canons.
Kyokushin style presents to his supporters demanding, mastering
them requires a serious athletic training and strict discipline.
However, despite the cruelty and maximalism, even demands the
cultivation of style around the world carried out taking into
account the diverse interests of fans of martial arts in the
spirit of the democratic ideal "Karate for millions." Some are
attracted to the Kyokushin system of breathing exercises, the
other - the methods of physical training, the third - the system
of psycho-regulation, the fourth - self-defense, the fifth - the
opportunity to engage in manly sport. Adapted techniques allow
Kyokushin karate and children, and women, and the elderly. This
reduces the amount of load introduced additional restrictions on
contact, but saved the most important landmarks in the
preparation and characteristic stylistic features. This allows
fans to dive into the fascinating world of sports and fitness
training, experience the beauty of plastic dynamic style, master
the basics of a real self-defense.
Way Mas Oyama was connected with the revival of the highest
ideals and achievements of the centuries-old tradition of
martial arts of the East. It began at a time when the very
preservation of the tradition has been threatened, necessitating
selfless selflessly training, passionate spiritual quest, of
faith in the true meaning of Budo art. Way Oyama - is the story
of a new style for the history of martial arts in the East
always appears as the great masters of the history of their
disciples and followers, united in the school. The main stages
and events Oyama biographies are extremely important for
understanding the essence of his reform efforts.
Mas Oyama was born on July 27, 1923 in Korea, near Seoul. With
9 years, since the studies in elementary school, I began to
study Chinese kempo and in 1936 received a black belt. In 1938,
he moved to Japan, where he enrolled in the Institute of
Aviation. At this time, masters judo and became a pupil of
Gichin Funakoshi - one of the three masters of Okinawa, which
brought karate to Japan. In 1940 he received the 2nd Dan and
enters the Takushoku University.
In 1946, Oyama went to the Faculty of Physical Education Waseda
University. In a complex and controversial situation of post-war
Japan, he did not immediately find its place, but is keenly
aware of "cultural-environmental" crisis of the tradition of the
Far Eastern martial arts. By the middle of the XX century. after
the most famous judo karate styles, degenerating into shareware
game types "contactless" sports, gain mass popularity.
Specificity of karate as a martial art is being lost, and at the
same time under the influence of the ideology of Western sports
is tested for strength and spiritual and moral basis of the
centuries-old tradition of arts Budo. Oyama seeks to find a
source for the revival of traditional karate. Refers to the
study of the old way of the samurai, Miyamoto Musashi to
biographies, famous master of kendo, visited the two famous
writers Eiji Yoshikawa and Shiro Ozaki - connoisseurs of
Japanese history, as well as making the first practical step in
finding their way, going to exercise in the privacy of the
mountain Minobu.
Oyama efforts aimed at reviving Budo karate, karate that is
understood not as a sport but as a real martial art, very soon
bear fruit. In 1947 he participated in the first All-Japan
championship in Kyoto and wins a convincing victory over all
rivals, even though controls the degree of contact in the
fighting according to the rules of the sports. In the same year
he became the owner of 4th dan. Oyama decides to devote his life
to karate. In 1948, following the precepts of the old masters,
it goes back into the mountains alone to focus on improving
technology and strengthening of body and spirit.
On the mountain Kiёdzuma in Chiba Prefecture, as well as its
famous predecessors, Oyama passed 18-month exclusively heavy
course discipline. He lives an intense spiritual life, studying
the works of ancient sages and following the recommendations of
the Zen masters in search of enlightenment. According to him, at
this time "training more than sleep," exposing themselves to
severe physical tests required of the adept of martial arts. It
laid the foundation for a new style of karate and school, dates
back to the reality of the Arts of Budo, and thus transformed
into a special way of improving human rights. Oyama set out to
develop maximum strength, endurance and "killing power" of the
body, in order to subsequently establish themselves in Japan to
counter the style of "limited" sports karate martial arts now.
During the brief but fruitful asceticism in the mountains Oyama
lived strictly to develop a regime that often appears in the
biography of the master and the doctrine is frivolous
disciples:
4:00 am - Climbing. Meditating with closed eyes for 10 minutes.
Jogging through the mountains, 2 hours.
7 am - Cooking.
8 am - meal combining breakfast and lunch.
9:00 am - Start training. 10 times to perform a complex of five
exercises:
1) to lift 20 times 60-kilogram barbell;
2) push-ups on your toes 20 times;
3) wrung out in front at the hands 20 times;
4) to catch up on the bar 20 times;
5) put on 20 times on the right and left makiwara.
After each set of breathing exercises to do and immediately
proceed to the next complex. After a ten-fold performance of a
specified set of vacation until 11.00.
11 am - performance of Kata.
At the same time every day to repeat 100 times any one kata.
For example, in the first day of the kick-1, the second kick-2
and so on until you have made all five sets of
Pinan, and then do them in reverse order. Do the same with the
rest of the kata.
2:00 pm - Weightlifting. Raise 60-pound barbell 20 times, then
gradually
to increase the load. Make 1000 push-ups: 200 times on two
fingers, 200 times on three fingers, 200 times on four fingers
400 times in five fingers. Before each set to make a short
break. Sometimes, for a change in 1000 to do push-ups with their
fists with a break after 500.
3:00 pm - Development of techniques sparring;
makiwara exercise;
climbing on a rope;
exercise for the abdominals - 200 times;
breaking stones.
5:00 pm - Cooking. Dinner.
6:00 pm - Meditation and bedtime.
In addition to this eloquent document, we note that many of the
masters of Kyokushin held daily routine like not a year or two,
twenty, thirty years or a lifetime
In 1951, Oyama returned to civilization and to identify
opportunities for a person decides to fight with the bull. In
all, he spent 52 fights, killing 3 and repulsed bull horns 48.
In 1952, at the invitation of the Chicago Oyama Karate
Organization visited the United States, where over 11 months
held 32 demonstrations and participated in 7 fights with
professional wrestlers and boxers, all of which He won. In 1953,
he gained widespread popularity in the United States, log horns
of a bull in Chicago. The Americans called it "divine fist" or
"the Lord's hand." A striking landmark in the biography of the
master became brilliant victory in the marathon sparring - 300
two-minute bouts of contact with constantly changing contenders
(100 fights in a row for 3 days).
In 1954 he opened the first dojo in Tokyo Oyama, where
instructors began K. Mizushima and E. Yasuda. He continues to
travel to different countries and continents, is involved in
numerous fights, demonstrating their outstanding achievements.
In 1956 he opened another dojo ryadoms Rikkyo University. By the
same instructors joined M. Ishibashi and T. Minamimoto. It was
the beginning of Karate dojo, based on the principle of "1,000
days of training for the beginner, 10,000 days - a glimpse of
the mystery." This is indicative of the highest standards of
style - Kiokusin Budo karate. The new style has quickly gained
the sympathy of many fans of martial arts.
Kyokushin success can be attributed to the fact that in the new
conditions of Mas Oyama managed to solve certain problems.
It was revived in karate as a martial art with real contact
fighting style. Have left their mark early exposure Oyama with a
Chinese Kempo and Okinawan style of Gichin Funakoshi. However,
his subsequent search was designed to overcome the well-known
academic Shotokan style and conventions of combat sports.
Meeting with the style Goju Ryu allowed to master the
respiratory system and power moves, and the Korean tradition -
the technique of kicking and jumping elements. During numerous
trips to the Far East and South-East Asia and meetings with
Chinese and Thai artists was expanded arsenal of flexible
methods of warfare. Of fundamental importance for the style
Kyokushin acquired theory circle and point. It explains not only
the principles of a combination of flexibility and strength,
circular and linear movements in a real fight, but the essence
of the Zen approach to the phenomenon of "empty consciousness",
which includes everything in terms of their perception,
remaining unchanged at its core. While the Kyokushin - synthetic
style, it has its own specificity, which is manifested in power,
dynamic principles of warfare, his face, his canons.
It is important that the cultivation of a new style, despite
maximalism requirements carried out taking into account the
diverse needs huge mass of fans of karate. As a result, the
school has grown to Mas Oyama an extensive scale of an
international organization.
Because the path to the truth in martial arts is a reality only
through the struggle, at the eastern views, it becomes the
active form of meditation leading to enlightenment.
Kyokushin - pin power style, but Oyama says that "achieving
only physical strength is like trying to sculpt a statue of
Buddha, without putting soul into this work." According to him
"the way of the warrior is the knowledge of death" and "the main
thing that can be learned from the fight, held on the brink of
death, is justice, respect and the way." That is why the school
of instructors required by the ordeal to go through to be able
to convey to his students the true meaning of martial arts
techniques.
System requirements Kyokushin - one of the toughest in the
world, which is reflected in the content of examinations for the
belt. To date, it established a system consisting of 10 pupils
zones - from white to brown (kyu) and 10 workshops (given). Belt
Color depth refers to the development of karate. White
symbolizes purity and ignorance, blue - the color of the sky at
sunrise, yellow - sunrise, green - blown flower, brown - mature,
black - wisdom. Gradually, by wearing a long black belt fades,
fade and become white again, symbolizing the idea of finding the
Zen master "original purity", "natural naturalness." It is
noteworthy that the founder of the school, awarded on behalf of
the international organization Kyokushin only higher red 10th
dan, different from other master's degree in red, preferred to
tie their kimonos usual black belt.
Way Kyokushin school student begins not only with discipline,
intense workouts conducted at the limit of human capabilities,
but also with the need to completely surrender to the spiritual
quest in his chosen path. Discipline starts with the threshold
dojo as gym martial art - it's not the usual space for training,
and esteemed "a place where looking for a way." The dojo is not
allowed smoking, eating, drinking, swearing, loud, nothing is
done without the permission of the instructor. Do not stay in
the room in civilian clothes (except for invited persons and
teachers). Everyone should have clean clothes and the whole
belt, the corresponding degree, and received in the school
emblem. Wearing rings, bracelets, chains, etc. during exercise
is strictly prohibited. Firmly adhered to the traditional
ceremonial and order of relations between the teacher, the older
and younger students. For disciplinary violations or neglect in
training instructor has the right to apply traditional
punishments - push-ups with their fists, until removal from the
class.
The severity of etiquette does not mean that everything in the
dojo suppressed feelings. Well-organized the dojo - a great
place in which the rigor of discipline and control creates the
harmony school, which brings together its members and promotes
pupils tops learning comprehension of the true meaning of
martial arts path.
This meaning is concentrated in the commandments of the oath of
the hall (dojo-kun) - one of the historical documents of the
school, which was approved by the Honbu (the center of the
International Organization of Kyokushin). The traditional oath
have chosen the path of Kyokushin in its original form in the
branches of the school is known around the world:
We will train our hearts and bodies to achieve solid steadfast
spirit.
We will firmly pursue the true meaning of the Martial Way, so
that our feelings were always at the ready.
With true zeal, we will strive to cultivate the spirit of
self-denial.
We will observe the rules of etiquette, respect for elders, and
to abstain from violence.
We will follow our faith and never forget the true virtue of
humility.
We will strive for wisdom and strength, not seeking other
desires.
All our lives through the study of karate, we will seek to
fulfill the true meaning of Kyokushin way.
The ideas embodied in the rules of the oath, deserve a thorough
historical, cultural and philosophical comment. We restrict
ourselves to only the most necessary remarks.
Education "steadfast spirit" was one of the main goals of the
old way of the samurai. Under the constant readiness of feelings
in correlation with the "true meaning of the Martial Way" means
that this sense is finding Zen "empty" consciousness perfectly
(spontaneous) reflects what is happening. Hitting on anything
specifically, it is ready for anything. No wonder the Japanese
say that "truly ready one who seems to nothing ready." It is
this "Zen readiness" and is meant to rule the oath. The
cultivation of the "spirit of self-denial" - the traditional
idea of overcoming the fundamental selfishness as the original
and the main obstacles to the improvement of man.
The principle of "respect for elders" is directly linked to
social and regulatory role of etiquette and ritual, so revered
in Confucianism. The requirements of this rule oath meet
standards dojo etiquette. They have themselves been associated
with abstinence from violence, which is not unique to
konfutsiantsva, but is the foundation of Buddhism. However, the
very nature of the violence is related hostilities. Because
there is a Zen concept of "unintentional violence" that
qualifies all the same "empty" consciousness of a warrior. What
this means is the ideal? In a situation of self-defense when an
unexpected enemy attack violates the "harmony" of the master,
he, making wages (spontaneously and in accordance with the
measure of the disturbance of his rest), operates without any
selfish motives. Like the "wind snatches the tree from the
root," a warrior does not commit violence, but simply restores
the "natural justice." Hence the characteristic traditions of
martial arts Zen idea of "spiritual sword" or
"sword of justice". But the principle of refraining from
violence is also associated with the ethics of social behavior,
a kind of moral code of martial arts. In accordance with the
ideals of traditional martial arts master - the defender of the
oppressed and wronged, and always ready to make a just
retribution. Such masters Oyama called "heroes among heroes."