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Kyokushin Karate By Mas Oyama


           "Keep one's head low (modest), eyes high (ambitious), mouth shut(silent), base yourself on filial piety and benefit others."
- Kyoskushin ideal by Sosai Mas Oyama
Mas Oyama

Kyokushin and the Meaning


"Kyokushin" means "Ultimate Truth". Kyokushin Karate was born in the determination for the pursuit of ultimate truth of mind, technique, and body.
      Karate is developed over a thousand years ago not only as a form of unarmed combat but as a way to discipline the body in order to improve the spirit. By practicing Karate, one can increase his/her alertness, self-awareness and self-confidence by conditioning the body as improving speed, strength, and co-ordination. It is to achieve the unity of body and spirit.
      Kyokushin Karate has been know as "The strongest karate", not only because of the incredible feats of strength and endurance that Founder Masutatsu Oyama performed, but also because of the rigorous requirements of the training and tournaments.
          The founder, Sosai Masu Oyama, often said that the difference between sports and the Budo Way is the path of self-discipline. Sports can always be associated with a game in some form or another where people compete for leisure, money, or fame. The Budo way is never these since it was developed from harsh-living situations where one must fight for their life in the midst of human suffering and pain - this can either be of the mental or physical kind. The Budo Way is this challenge in life itself. Kyokushin Karate was founded by a man who was dedicated to the Budo Way.
          Today, registered members of Kyokushin karate exceed 10 million located at more than 120 countries making it one of the largest martial arts organization in the world.
Kyokushin Karate Kanji The symbol shown to the left is worn on the front of the gi (uniform) on the left of the wearer's chest. The symbol is Japanese calligraphy artwork for "kyokushinkai," which is the name given by Sosai Mas Oyama to the karate style he created.


The artwork was originally painted by Sensei Haramotoki, calligraphy master and friend of Sosai Mas Oyama. It means "Society of the ultimate truth" and is comprised of the three Kanji characters shown here to the right: "kyoku," "shin," and "kai". The meanings of each are as follows.

Kyokushinkai Symbol

Kyoku - "KYOKU" - Ultimate ; Extreme
Shin - "SHIN" - Reality ; Truth from within
KAI - "KAI" - To Meet ; Society;Association
Mas Oyama
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Kyokushin Logo


The "logo" of Kyokushinkai is the Kanku shown to the left. The Kanku is derived from the Kanku Kata, sky gazing form. In this Kata the hands are raised to scan the sky and the symbol is formed. The points of the Kanku represent the fingers and imply the ultimate or peaks. The thick sections, represent the wrists and imply power. The center represents infinity, implying depth. The whole Kanku is based and enclosed by a circle, representing continuity and circular action
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