The Founder of Kyokushin Karate

Pictured is the late Sosai Mas Oyama 10th Dan, the founder of Kyokushin Karate.

Today, Mas Oyama's Kyokushin Karate is recognised as one of the world's largest martial arts organisations, with over ten million members worldwide.

In June 1964, the World Headquarters was officially opened and it was at this time that Oyama Karate adopted the name Kyokushin, "The Ultimate Truth".

From the early 1960's to date, the Dojo of Kyokushin continues to spread to over 150 countries, thus Kyokushin remains one of the best known Martial Art styles in the world.

Sosai Oyama's influence has affected millions of martial artists from virtually every country in the world. Sosai Oyama has shown by the example of his life that one can overcome any hardship through training, and that carving a spirit of untiring fortitude through constant effort, one may indeed learn to face the demands of life with a strength unexpected.

In April 1994, Kyokushin Karate lost its founder when Sosai Mas Oyama passed away.

True to the deep philosophies of Kyokushin, Sosai continued to train up to the day of his passing. That strength of his spirit continues to this day in thousands of Kyokushin Dojo worldwide.