Gichin Funakoshi introduced the basic concept of Karate into Japan from Okinawa in 1916 and, particularly since the 1960s, the popularity of Karate has been increasing rapidly.
The earliest origins of Karate as we know it today are somewhat vague due to the lack of documentation. The traditional idea accepted by most authorities is that it started in India. A Buddhist priest called in Chinese Daruma(or Bhodidarma, as he is better known), wished to take his particular sect of Buddhism, called Zen, to the Chinese as a missionary venture. It was not uncommon for itinerant priests to be able to fight, as they would frequently be in danger on their wanderings from wild animals as well as men. Even Gautama Sidartha himself had been a warrior before he became the Buddha. When he established Buddihism, he saw no contradiction in the idea of a man of peace and love also being skillful in combat.
In about AD 500, Bhodidarma reached the court of Emperor Wu at Chein-K’ang in China, where he was warmly received. He left the courts, eventually north to Henan Province and into seclusion in the Shaolin temple (Shorin in Japanese) to teach Zen. He also taught his system of unarmed combat called Shorin Kempo.
Forms of Chinese combat have been recorded as far back as 3000 BC. Bhodidarma is credited with being the founder of Chinese Kempo, mainly because he added the meditative practices of Yoga and Zen, making it a more complete system, as we know it today. Zen is inseparably linked with Karate and every Master of Karate seeks a more enlightened experience by studying Zen; in fact, all the major developments in Shorin Kempo were achieved by various priests, through the years. Finally, the close connection between priests and medicine resulted in the discovery not only of vital spots on the human body where cures could be applied but also where Kempo attacks could be directed for the best results.
From China, Kempo spread north to Mongolia, east to Korea and south-east to Okinawa. Eventually it reached Japan, where it became extremely popular after the Kamakura era (about AD 1200). The soldier class, the Samurai, in particular welcomed both the combat forms and the Zen philosophy. The morality and mysticism of Zen Buddhism appealed to their sensibilities, but the real attraction was the way it provided them with a discipline which made them capable of great endurance and excellence in fighting by giving them the special psychological skills and insights into both themselves and their opponents.
At various times in history – for instance in 1400 and again in l609, in Okinawa-the authorities forbade the populace to use arms. As a means of protection against the bandits, and sometimes even against the authorities, unarmed combat became widely taught. The schools, themselves usually confined to the temples, were nevertheless kept secret, because if discovered they would have been immediately wiped out by those in power.
It was not until 1901 that Karate, as we now know it, was brought out of secret study and taught openly in Okinawa. In 1916, Master GichinFunakoshi came from Okinawa to Tokyo and pioneered the modern system of Karate in Japan. Born from many origins, there are today many schools of Karate, each with its own merits and perhaps its own faults.
The word Karate, in its literal translation, means empty hand
Kyokushin Karate The founder of our system, Masutatsu Oyama was born in 1923 near Seoul in South Korea. He studied Chinese Kempo at 9 years of age. When he was 12, he went to Japan to live and enrolled at University. After mastering Judo, he became a pupil of Gichin Funakoshi himself making such rapid progress that at 17 he was 2nd Dan and at 24 became 4th Dan. Deciding that he wanted to devote the rest of his life to spreading the knowledge of Karate, he spent the next year in seclusion from human society, living in temples and in the mountains; subjecting himself to the physical rigours of martial arts training day and night and meditating on Zen precepts, seeking enlightenment. In 1951 he returned to civilisation and started his own training hall in Tokyo.
Kyokushinkai in Great Britain
Since the foundation of the British Karate Kyokushinkai in 1965 we have seen a steady progression in both size and ability of one of the most respected Karate Organisations in Britain. One major reason for this progression lies in the personality and drive of it’s Chief Instructor Hanshi Steve Arneil (10th Dan). His depth of knowledge and tireless efforts have developed the unity of the British Karate Kyokushinkai.
Hanshi Arneil spent many years travelling the world, his journey culminating in Japan where he spent many years expanding his knowledge of the Martial Arts. He was also very instrumental in the British Karate scene in the 1970’s where amongst other things he was coach of the successful British Squad that defeated Japan at the World Toumament.
Kyokushin Karate started in London when Steve Arneil and Bob Boulton returned to Great Britain after four years of study at the Kyokushinkai Honbu in Tokyo. The first Kyokushinkai Dojo was the London Karate Kai and this club was soon to become the premier club of Great Britain. In 1965 they founded the British Karate Kyokushinkai.
Within two years the British Karate Kyokushinkai had over 17 students who had qualified as British International Representatives. Steve Arneil became the British and English Team Manager/Coach and when the British Karate Team won the World Championship (the first country outside Japan to do so), he won the awardfor the World’s Best Coach.
The British Karate Kyokushinkai now has over 80 Dojos in Great Britain and in 1978 staged the largest Karate Tournament ever to be held in Great Britain at Wembley Stadium. Kyokushinkai is now known for its high standard of Knockdown Tournament fighting which is based on full contact. However, the British Karate Kyokushinkai also competes in Kata and Clicker style Tournaments (which are a Kyokushinkai innovation).
The British Karate Kyokushinkai is a founder member of the International Federation of Karate and through this organisation will continue to take part in world events with like minded Kyokushin Karateka.
The British Karate Kyokushinkai is also a founder member of the English Karate Governing Body.
The Grading Syllabus is one of the world’s most comprehensive and is administered and controlled in Britain by a highly qualified Board of Examiners.
What is Kyokushinkai?
Karate is both an art and philosophy, because each person has a different personality, this reflects itself in their interpretation. Therefore, karate masters founded their own schools, teaching their style or ryu.
Kyokushinkai is the name given to our style.
Meaning of Kyokushinkai
KYOKU-means ultimate,
SHIN- truth or reality
KAI to meet, join, associate.
It takes time to fully understand the meaning.