Sosai Mas Oyama – The legacy of the Kyokushin founder lives on
On 26 April 1994 verstarb Sosai Masutatsu Oyama, the founder of Kyokushin Karate, at the age of 70 in Tokyo, Japan. In the year 2025 is the anniversary of his death 31st anniversary – an important day for everyone who trains in this style. For us at Shinzen Dojo Berlin, das sich der Philosophy und dem Geist des Kyokushin verschrieben hat, ist es eine Zeit des remembrance, honour and inspiration.
Who was Sosai Masutatsu Oyama?
Masutatsu Oyama, born on 27 July 1923 in South Korea (under Japanese occupation), was an extraordinary Karate master who is considered one of the toughest fighters of the 20th century. He was a student of Shotokan Karate under Gichin Funakoshi, but his search for the absolute truth in Karate led him to something of his own – Kyokushin, which translates as “The Ultimate Truth”.
The origins of Kyokushin Karate
Kyokushin originated from an uncompromising self-examination. Oyama retreated several times into the Japanese mountains to train under the most extreme conditions – true to the motto:
„One becomes a beginner after one thousand days of training and an expert after ten thousand days of practice.“– Sosai Mas Oyama, The Kyokushin Way, 1979
His Philosophy was shaped by discipline, willpower, and perseverance. He shaped not just a style, but a life principle – for body and mind.
Sosai Memorial Day – Why we honour Sosai every year
In many dojos worldwide, on or around the 26. of April the Sosai Memorial Day committed. We too in the Shinzen Dojo Berlin also hold this day in honour to remember our roots – because:
„Without knowing the origin, you cannot understand the essence.“– Sosai Mas Oyama
Honouring Sosai is not an empty gesture. It is a living part of the karate DNA, an expression of gratitude and humility gegenüber dem Mann, der with Kyokushin eine der härtesten, ehrlichsten and tiefgründigsten Karate Styles geschaffen hat.
What Sosai Oyama’s teachings still tell us today
Sosai’s teachings are more relevant today than ever. In a world full of distractions, Kyokushin teaches us:
- Unwavering discipline (Osu no Seishin)
- Physical and mental strength
- Respect and modesty
Oyama once said:
„The heart of our karate is real fighting. There can be no proof without real fighting. Without proof, there is no trust. Without trust, there is no respect.“– Sosai Mas Oyama, Essential Karate, 1978
For us today, this means: Karate is not a hobby. It is a path (Do) – a school of life, which is based on fighting but leads to inner peace leads to inner peace.
Our recommendation: The 3 most important books by Sosai Mas Oyama
If you want to deepen your understanding of Sosai’s teachings, we recommend these works – they belong on every Kyokushin shelf:
1. "What is Karate?" (1966)
A classic that explains the fundamentals and philosophy of karate from Oyama’s perspective. Ideal for beginners and advanced students.
2. "This is Karate" (1965)
An extensively illustrated book about techniques, kumite, training, and the spirit of Kyokushin. Also a visual masterpiece.
3. "The Kyokushin Way" (1979)
This goes deeper into the philosophy of fighting spirit – for those who want more than just techniques.
Sosai’s spirit lives on – also at Shinzen Dojo Berlin
In Shinzen Dojo Berlin we see ourselves as guardians of his legacy. Every technique, every “OSU”, every drop of sweat in the dojo – all of this is an expression of our respect towards Sosai Oyama. He lives on in our kicks, in our fighting spirit, in our attitude.
„True karate is this: that in daily life one’s mind and body be trained and developed in a spirit of humility, and that in critical times one be devoted utterly to the cause of justice.“– Sosai Mas Oyama
Osu Sosai! In gratitude and honour. Your team from Shinzen Dojo Berlin
