What is Kyokushin?

Kyokushin is comprised of two Japanese words, Kyoku 極 (ultimate) and Shin 真 (reality or truth from within). Kyokushin is a full-contact bare-knuckle style of karate, founded in 1964 by Korean-Japanese Karate Master, Masutatsu Oyama (大山倍達).

Kyokushin is a highly efficient, practical form of self-defense, emphasizing kicks, punches, blocks, flexiblity, and body movement. It is an intense physical activity (which directly benefits mental conditioning), characterized by strenuous training, body conditioning, and realistic contact while sparring; Kyokushin Karate-ka believe this contact is necessary in order to fully appreciate the resiliency of the human body and spirit and to prepare for any serious confrontation.

Kyokushin Karate is not simply a form of self-defense or exercise that happens to involve punching and kicking — Kyokushin Karate (and the martial arts in general), is rooted in the philosophy of self improvement, discipline, and hard training. Please click on the links below to learn more about the History of Kyokushin, the Dojo Kun, Sosai Masutatsu Oyama, Kancho Hatsuo Royama, and other Kyokushin Karate topics…

History →
Dojo Kun →
Sosai Masutatsu Oyama →
Kancho Hatsuo Royama →
Sosai Mas Oyama’s 11 Mottos →
Terminology →
Kata →

“It should be clearly understood that the spirit of Kyokushin Karate is to fight to overcome oneself, and not others.”