Kyokushinkai

Kyokushinkai - "The Association of the Ultimate Truth"

Kyokushinkai Karate (極真会空手) is a full-contact, knockdown martial art, and is considered one of the most powerful and deadliest fighting styles in the world. It is a rigorous path of self-discipline, forged through intense physical training and uncompromising personal development. The name itself, Kyokushin, translates to “The Ultimate Truth” - a reflection of its founder’s (Sosai Masutatsu Oyama) lifelong pursuit of spiritual, physical, and mental mastery.

1. The Martial Way begins and ends with courtesy. Therefore, be properly and genuinely courteous at all times.

2. Following the Martial Way is like scaling a cliff – continue upwards without rest. It demands absolute devotion to the task at hand.

3. Strive to seize the initiative in all things, all the time guarding against actions stemming from selfish animosity or thoughtlessness.

4. Even for the Martial Artist, the place of money cannot be ignored. Yet one should be careful never to become attached to it.

5. The Martial Way is centered in posture. Strive to maintain correct posture at all times.

6. The Martial Way begins with one thousand days and is mastered after ten thousand days of training.

7. In the Martial Arts, introspection begets wisdom. Always see contemplation of your actions as an opportunity to improve.

8. The nature and purpose of the Martial Way are universal. All selfish desires should be roasted in the tempering fires of hard training.

9. The Martial Arts begin with a point and end in a circle. Straight lines stem from this principle.

10. The true essence of the Martial Way can only be realized through experience. Knowing this, learn never to fear its demands.

11. Always remember, in Martial Arts, the rewards of a confident and grateful heart are truly abundant.

Karate Dojo Kun

The Dojo Kun (道場訓) is a formal creed recited in traditional Kyokushin (and other styles) dojos, serving as a constant reminder of the values every practitioner must uphold. It emphasizes respect, perseverance, self-control, and the pursuit of spiritual and physical perfection. These guiding principles bind the community of karateka in a shared code of conduct that transcends the mat. In the Japanese version, the number 'one' prefixes each line, emphasizing that no single line is more important than any other. Each is an equal and integral part of the whole:

First, we will train our hearts and bodies, for a firm, unshaking spirit.

一、吾々は心身を錬磨し 確固不抜の心技を極めること

Hitotsu, wareware wa, shinshin o renmashi, kakko fubatsu no shingi o kiwameru koto.

First, we will pursue the true meaning of the Martial Way, so that in time our senses may be alert.

一、吾々は武の真髄を極め 機に発し感に敏なること

Hitotsu, wareware wa, bu no shinzui o kiwame, ki ni hasshi, kan ni bin naru koto.

First, with true vigor, we will seek to cultivate a spirit of self-denial.

一、吾々は質実剛健を以て 克己の精神を涵養すること

Hitotsu, wareware wa, shitsujitsu gōken o motte, kokki no seishin o kanyo suru koto.

First, we will observe the rules of courtesy, respect our superiors, and refrain from violence.

一、吾々は礼節を重んじ 長上を敬し粗暴の振る舞いを慎むこと

Hitotsu, wareware wa, reisetsu o omonji, chōjō o keishi sobō no furumai o tsutsushimu koto.

First, we will follow our religious principles , and never forget the true virtue of humility.

一、吾々は神仏を尊び 謙譲の美徳を忘れざること

Hitotsu, wareware wa, shinbutsu o tōtobi, kenjō no bitoku o wasurezaru koto.

First, we will look upwards to wisdom and strength, not seeking other desires.

一、吾々は智性と体力とを向上させ 事に臨んで過たざること

Hitotsu, wareware wa, chisei to tairyoku to o kōjō sase, koto ni nozonde ayamatazaru koto.

First, all our lives, through the discipline of Karate, we will seek to fulfill the true meaning of the Kyokushin Way.

一、吾々は生涯の修行を空手の道に通じ 極真の道を全うすること

Hitotsu, wareware wa, shōgai no shūgyō o karate no michi ni tsūji, Kyokushin no michi o mattō suru koto.

Philosophy and Practice

Kyokushin is renowned for its full-contact sparring and rigorous conditioning, but its physical intensity is balanced by a deep philosophical foundation. Practitioners are taught to value Osu no Seishin - the spirit of perseverance and respect - and to view each challenge as a test of character. Strength is not only measured in physical terms, but also in one’s capacity to endure, to grow, and to act with honor.

Kyokushin training is built upon three pillars: Kihon (foundation), which lay the structural foundation through precise stances, strikes, blocks, and postures; Kata (form), fluid and disciplined sequences simulating combat against imaginary opponents; and Kumite (sparring), where these elements are tested and applied in the reality of direct confrontation. Training follows a progressive and rigorous path, pushing both physical and mental limits. The dojo becomes a forge - not merely of technique, but of inner strength and character.

Streams of the Kyokushin Movement

After Sosai Oyama’s passing in 1994, Kyokushin split into several main organizations, each preserving different aspects of his legacy. While this division has led to variations in leadership and curriculum, all schools maintain the foundational principles of Kyokushin Karate. A comprehensive list of all the recent heads of the international Kyokushin Karate Federations can be found here.

The Meaning Behind “Kyokushinkai”

The expression "Kyokushinkai" is composed of three kanji characters:

極 (Kyoku) – Ultimate

真 (Shin) – Truth

会 (Kai) – Society or Assembly

Together, they define a path and a community bound by the search for truth through effort, pain, and transformation. To be a Kyokushin practitioner is to walk a path where shortcuts are rejected, and illusions are stripped away, leaving only the raw encounter with one’s limits, and the power to transcend them.

The Belt System and Ranking in Kyokushin (IFK-BKK)

The structured grading method in organizations such as the International Federation of Karate (IFK) and British Kyokushinkai Karate (BKK) reflects both tradition and rigor, guiding students from white belt to black belt with precision and purpose.

Kyokushin uses the Kyu/Dan system, adapted from traditional Japanese martial arts. Students begin at Mukyu (white belt - no rank) and move downward to 10th Kyu, 9th Kyu, 8th Kyu, all the way to 1st Kyu (brown belt with a stripe) before testing for black belt, or Shodan (1st Dan). Each level demands not only increased technical ability and physical conditioning, but deeper understanding of etiquette, mindset, and fighting spirit.

The typical progression is as follows:

10th–8th Kyu: White and orange/red belts – Fundamentals of stances, blocks, basic strikes, and etiquette.

7th–6th Kyu: Blue belts – More advanced kihon, basic kata, and light contact sparring.

5th–4th Kyu: Yellow belts – Increased intensity in kumite and introduction to complex kata.

3rd–1st Kyu: Green and brown belts – Greater expectations in power, fitness, control, spirit, and understanding of principles.

Shodan (1st Dan) and above: Black belts – Rank is no longer just about skill but continuous contribution, depth, and refinement.

Each grading requires demonstration of Kihon (fundamental techniques), Kata (forms), and Kumite (sparring), with emphasis on discipline, focused power (Kime - 決め), and the ability to endure fatigue and adversity with composure.

Higher Dan grades (Nidan, Sandan, etc.) are not earned through performance alone but reflect years of dedication, teaching, and embodiment of Kyokushin’s values.

In IFK and BKK-affiliated dojos, gradings are standardized to ensure consistency across the global network. This unity of standards allows practitioners from different countries to speak the same language of technique and spirit - regardless of geography.