About Kyokushin Karate

KYOKUSHIN (Way of the Ultimate Truth) is a Japanese style of karate incorporating many techniques taken from a number of old martial arts systems including Shotokan, Goju Ryu, Shaolin and Kempo. It is this combination of the best of many systems that produces a style that is both dynamic and popular.

MASTER MASUTATSU OYAMA is the founder of the style, and was head of the world-wide Kyokushin-kai (school) till his untimely death in 1994. Sosai Oyama was born in Korea in 1923, and travelled to Japan where he became a student of Gichin Funakoshi (who introduced karate to Japan).

In 1947 Sosai Oyama won the All-Japan Karate Championships. Following his success, he decided to devote his life to karate. To do so, in 1948, he secluded himself in the mountains. During this time his training included standing under icy waterfalls, pounding on trees to toughen his hands, and weight training with huge boulders. Satisfied with the results of this vigorous training, Mas Oyama returned to civilisation. He astounded the karate world in 1950 with his barehanded battle with bulls, during which he dealt death to 3, and ripped the horns off many more. In 1956, Mas Oyama opened Kyokushinkai-Kan in Tokyo, and developed the style to include 10,000,000 students training in over 50 countries throughout the world. Sosai first came to Australia in 1977 for the Australian Full Contact Championships.

About Shinkyokushin (WKO)

Following the death of Sosai Oyama, administrative divisions arose in Japan and around the world. Consequently, a number of separate groups were formed, although each group strives to maintain the teachings and philosophies of Sosai Oyama. The Japanese organisation Ironside Dojo is a member of is known as World Karate Organisation Shinkyokushinkai (WKO). The term ‘Shinkyokushin’ translates as ‘New Kyokushin’ and the organisation is run by Shihan Kenji Midori, 8th dan and the winner of the 5th world tournament. Shinkyokushin is known for its focus on strong technique, development of karate for youths, and cooperation with the community as a non-profit organisation.

Our country representative is Shihan Peter Volke, 7th Dan, who is also a member of the International Grading Committee. The headquarters for Australia are currently at Shihan Volke’s Damashii Dojo in Haddon, Victoria.