Mas Oyama

Step into the world of Mas Oyama, the founder of Kyokushin Karate. Our chronological timeline highlights the key events and achievements that shaped his extraordinary journey. Explore the defining moments that made Mas Oyama a legend in martial arts history. Dive in and get inspired by his legacy of strength, discipline, and perseverance. Masutatsu Oyama, later to become Kancho of the International Karate Organization Kyokushin Kaikan was born on July 27th. (June 4th by reckoning of the old Japanese calendar) Mas Oyama entered junior high school in Seoul, Korea, where he started his study of Chinese Kempo. Entered the Department of Physical Education, Waseda University. Mas Oyama had already met Ms. Teruko Fujimaki, who was later to become Mrs. Chiyako Oyama. It is said that he always wore the uniform hat of Waseday university. Mas Oyama entered and won the first post-WWII All Japan Tournament held at Maruyama Gymnasium, Kyoto. Mas Oyama decided to devote his life to Karate and did 18 months training alone in Mt. Kiyosumi of Chiba Prefecture to perfect his techniques and form his Karate way. Started teaching Karate to the US Army personnel stationed at Camps Zama, Fuchu, Tachikawa, Yokosuka, Tokorozawa, Yokota and Yokohama, Japan. After returning from the United States, and at the request of the press; Mas Oyama filmed a documentary called “Karate: Fighting Fierce Bull”. The death match with the 450kg bull lasted some 30 minutes. Mas Oyama opened his first dojo in Mejiro, Tokyo located at an outside grassy area that had been badly damaged by fires in the war. Mas Oyama visited the U.S.A for the third time as well as traveling around South America and Europe. During his travels, he fought many people from different styles and snapped the neck of a whiskey bottle with a knife hand strike. It was from this time that he came to be referred to as God Hand. The Oyama Dojo was started in a small ballet studio behind Rikkyo University. The dojo started with 300 students and was the beginning of "Kyokushinkai". Mas Oyama's book "What is Karate?" was published for overseas karate fans and become the first best-selling book on Japanese Karate with 500,000 copies printed. Mas Oyama visited New York at this time. The F.B.I. In Washington invited Mas Oyama to teach and demonstrate karate. The Westpoint Army School invited Mas Oyama to teach and demonstrate karate. The First Hawaiian Tournament was held and Mas Oyama attended as the Supreme Judge. He also gave a demonstration at the tournament. Mas Oyama travels to America, Europe and South Africa. The Oyama Dojo was relocated to Nishi-Ikebukuro, Toshima-ku, Tokyo and construction started on the building to become the Kyokushinkaikan Honbu. Muai Thai Kick Boxing challenged Japanese Karate, but this challenge was not accepted. The Oyama dojo then sent Noboru Osawa and other three students to Thailand, won 2 out of 3 fights. Eisaku Sato, former Prime Minister of Japan, who had recently won a Nobel Prize, became Kaicho (President) of the Kyokushukaikan. Mas. Oyama became Kancho (Director). Tokyo Honbu was officially opened, and the International karate Organization Kyokushinkaikan was established. "This is Karate" was published, and became known as the Bible of Karate. The Middle East I.K.O was started. Kancho gave private lessons to then His Majesty, the King of Jordan. The 1st All Japan Open Karate Tournament was held in Tokyo, the winner was Terutomu Yamazaki. Since then, the tournament has been held every year. Mas Oyama gives a karate demonstration at the Okura Hotel for the Shah of Iran. The 1st World Open Tournament was held in Tokyo and continued to be held once every four years. "The Strongest Karate", a documentary film about the first world tournament, was released and gained great populality. The film was shown in more than 30 countries and was viewed by 7,000,000 - 8,000,000 people. The 2nd World Open Karate Championships took place in the Nippon Budokan. 1