Kyokushin Karate and The Way of Ultimate Truth
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"Kyokushin Karate and The Way of Ultimate Truth"
Kyokushin Karate is a style of Martial Arts that performed as a stand-up, full contact karate. The Kyokushin style was founded in 1964 by a Korean Japanese karate master named Masutatsu Oyama. The name unique name “Kyokushin” means “The Ultimate Truth” in Japanese. This unique style of karate is an embodying philosophy of self-improvement, discipline, and a meticulous pursuit of excellence. Since its birth, Kyokushin has grown into one of the most respected and influential karate styles throughout the world. Kyokushin has become known for its intense training regimen, its highlights of physical conditioning, and its satisfaction of full-contact sparring.
The Fathers Origin and Philosophy of Kyokushin
Masutatsu Oyama, who was also known as Mas Oyama, was born in Korea in 1923. He moved to Japan at a young age and began to train in many types of martial arts, including Judo, boxing, and Shotokan karate, before he began developing his own style. He became disappointed by what he perceived as the lack of practicality and effectiveness in the traditional karate styles. With this reasoning in mind, Oyama began to create a form of karate that emphasized real-world combat effectiveness and mental strength of endurance.
The philosophy and wisdom of Kyokushin karate is deeply rooted in the idea of perseverance, self-discipline, and one’s ultimate drive of self-improvement. Practitioners are encouraged highly to push their limits, both physically and mentally, to be able to discover one’s truest potential. The Kyokushin way is encapsulated in its training motto: “1000 days of training one becomes a beginner, 10,000 days of training one becomes a master.” This shows that one must have the lifelong commitment of self-growth and embracing improvements and then you will understand the heart of a Kyokushin Master.
Training and Techniques
- Kihon: This is simply the repetitive practice of basic techniques such as punches, kicks, and blocks. The set goals to develop from Kihon are muscle memory, precision, and immense power.
- Kata: Kata is a developed pre-arranged sequences of movements that simulate a combat structure against multiple opponents. Every pre-arranged Kata in Kyokushin has its own unique rhythm and reasoning. Kata is important in teaching practitioners about balance, timing, and fluency of motion.
- Kumite: Kumite is perhaps the most defining aspect of Kyokushin training. The conditioning of the body and mind happens in the confident approach to sparring. Unlike many other karate styles that focus on a point-based, light-contact sparring match, Kyokushin demands full-contact, bare-knuckle sparring. Protective gear is very minimal with typically only equipped to mouthguards and groin protectors, requiring practitioners to develop toughness, resilience, and effective striking and blocking techniques.
Kyokushin vs. Traditional Karate
Even though Kyokushin shares many foundational elements with traditional karate styles, there are several noticeable key differences that set it apart:
- Full-Contact Sparring: Being one of the most significant differences is the way sparring is performed. In the traditional karate style, there is most often a utilization of a point-based sparring system. This means the goal is to score points by landing controlled strikes in certain body areas. On the other hand, in Kyokushin the intent is to perform in a full-contact sparring match, where the objective is to incapacitate the opponent or force them to forfeit. This is why training requires a higher level of physical conditioning and pain tolerance.
- Emphasis on Conditioning: Unlike traditional Karate Kyokushin places a strong encouragement and focus on physical conditioning. Training often includes types of resistance training, weight training, and endurance exercises. Practitioners are encouraged to develop a high level of physical fitness to be able to withstand full-contact sparring and the actively intense training sessions.
- Philosophical Focus: While traditional karate also values discipline and self-improvement, Kyokushin’s philosophy is particularly intense. Perseverance is crucial to mastering Kyokushin. This is the reason that practitioners are taught to endure hardships, push themselves beyond the limits they had set for themselves, and placing the thoughts of giving up out of reach while embodying the spirit of a warrior.
- Realistic Techniques: Kyokushin techniques are designed with a realistic approach in mind. Without the stylish flash the style focuses on seriously powerful strikes, low kicks, and very effective blocking techniques that are meant to be used in real-world combat situations. This focus of practicality is an overall reflection of Oyama’s vision to create a form martial art that is successfully effective in actual combat.
Kyokushin is the Modern Combat Martial Arts
Today, Kyokushin karate is practiced by millions of students and Masters around the world, and it has and continues to influence others along with many other martial arts disciplines. Its full-contact approach has also given to the development of modern mixed martial arts (MMA), with many successful MMA fighters incorporating the Kyokushin way.
The style’s focus on toughness and resilience has also made it popular in self-defense training and law enforcement training. Kyokushin’s training methods help individuals build not only physical strength but also an immense mental strength that reshapes oneself and makes it a top-notch tool martial art for personal development.
