Mas Oyama was the founder of Kokyushin Karate, well-known as "the strongest karate" system, certainly by those who practice this style. There's a really good reason why Kokyushin has this title. Oyama Sensei, also known as "Sosai," was a legondary, full-contact fighter, known for his tenacity, strength and power. In order to find a deeper meaning to his training, Oyama went on several self-imposed exiles to the forest surrounding Kiyozumi Moutain in Chiba prefecture, Japan, training for 12 hours a day, rain, shine or snow. His days would begin with kata, (forms) followed by strengtheing with logs and stones, thousands of punches and kicks, hitting trees and rocks with his bare hands and feet. His harsh physical conditioning was accompanied by rigorous sessions of meditation, though one could argue that his austere life-style was complete immersion in meditation.
The outcome of his trials was the formation of his own karate system, Kokyushin, meaning "ultimate truth." In order to prove himself and promote his vision, he spent several years openly challenging and soundly beating many karate masters of the day. He was also known for incredible feats of strength and power. For example, he fought over fifty-two bulls in his lifetime, instantly killing three, all with his bare hands. Sorry PETA. He could chop through several thick slabs of ice and routinely sliced the tops off of full bottles of beer, again with his bare hands, without spilling a drop. Kokyushin karate is known for the "hundred man kumite," a challange for black belts to fight a hundred people in a single day; no pads or protective gear. The only rule is no hand strikes to the head...but you can kick the crap out of sombody's face. Kokyshin has a reputation for it's emphasis on rigourous training and body conditioning.
Of course, most us don't have the time to make pilgrimages to the woods for extended periods and frankly, few would want to. But like other well-known martial artists, Oyama's accompishments can and should be an example of what is possible if we are willing to put fourth the effort. Interestingly enough, Oyama's karate techniques are actually very simple. Most of the kicks and punches are pretty boring; maybe a couple of spinning kicks and strikes, but very ridimentary. Aside from sheer will and tenacity, what makes a great Kokyushin fighter is the same thing that can make anyone a great fighter; repitition.
Bruce Lee once said that he did not fear the man who knew a thousand techniques; rather, he feared the man who practiced one technique a thousand times. In reality, you don't need to know a great deal of kicks, punches and throws to defend yourself against the average thug. You can acatually do quite well with a limited knowledge of fighting skills. It's not the number of super secret techniques you know...it's how well you know them. If you're worried about encountering somebody in a dark alley or in a road-rage incident, keep this in mind: the person you're dealing with has no patience for developing skill. Their strongest weapons are suprise, intimidation, fear and willingness to act. Train consistently and with the proper intent, and you will survive.
Intention drives everything in martial arts. If your intention is little more than in interesting way to spend a couple days a week, well you get what you pay for. You might as well take up bowling; it's way more fun. In my own experience, the poeple who start martial arts becasue they have a genuine fear of physical confrontation, typically do better and last longer than someone who is just looking for a hobby or a way to get fit. Truly, if fitness is your main goal, try cross fit; it's way more fun. And the people who stick around (in our dojo) the longest are the ones who have overcome the pull towards physical comfort. Just about everything we do here involves risk and pain...you know, kind of like life. If risk free and painless activities are what you are looking for...then try another school. Truly, you'll have more fun. We are not a Kokyushin dojo, but we have adopted many of the same principles, namely: it's not if you get hurt, but when. It's not if you fail, but how often. It's not how much pain you're in...it's how much pain you're willing to deal with. The strongest karate is the karate you practice with a full heart.
I've been training consistently for 40 years, so I feel as though I have the justification for my next statement. A dojo, a place where you're supposed to be brought to your knees phyiscally, emotionally, mentally and spiritually, is not for everybody. Originally, dojos where not all inclusive, did not exist to provide people with the opportunity to stroke egos, and were certainly not a place for drama. A real dojo looks more like an austere gym than a church or coffee shop. Its a place where nobody cares about what color you are, your preferences, or your religon.
Want to train in real dojo? Find a place where you still have to take off your shoes before you get on the mat. It's a symbolic way to leave the rest of the world outside. Find a place that adheres to the idea of a plain and simple uniform with no gaudy patches or multiple belt tabs. It's one of the best ways to cut down on ego. Most importantly, find a place that presents an atmosphere that requires consistency, tenacity, pain tolerance, and commitment. Find a place like that, and can train in the spirit of Mas Oyama.
Dave Magliano
Tatsu Dojo
Jissenkan Budo
Dojo Cho
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