Kyokushin Karate (極真空手), meaning "the ultimate truth," is a full-contact style of karate founded in 1964 by Masutatsu (Mas) Oyama, a Korean-Japanese martial artist. It is known for its intense physical training, powerful techniques, and realistic combat applications, distinguishing it from many other karate styles that focus more on point-based sparring.
Mas Oyama began his Karate training in traditional styles, he had a fourth degree blackbelt in Shotokan Karate and a seventh degree blackbelt in Goju Ryu Karate. Mas Oyama’s attitude toward traditional Karate was one of both deep respect and critical reform. He revered the philosophical and spiritual elements of traditional Karate but was dissatisfied with its practicality in real combat. This tension shaped the development of Kyokushin Karate, which he founded as a response to what he saw as the shortcomings of existing systems.
Kyokushin training generally includes:
Kihon (Basics) – Foundational techniques: stances, strikes, blocks, and kicks.
Kata (Forms) – Pre-arranged sequences of movements simulating combat.
Kumite (Sparring) – Full-contact sparring with a focus on body strikes, often with minimal protective gear.
Mas Oyama began his Karate training in traditional styles, he had a fourth degree blackbelt in Shotokan Karate and a seventh degree blackbelt in Goju Ryu Karate. Mas Oyama’s attitude toward traditional Karate was one of both deep respect and critical reform. He revered the philosophical and spiritual elements of traditional Karate but was dissatisfied with its practicality in real combat. This tension shaped the development of Kyokushin Karate, which he founded as a response to what he saw as the shortcomings of existing systems.
Kyokushin training generally includes:
Kihon (Basics) – Foundational techniques: stances, strikes, blocks, and kicks.
Kata (Forms) – Pre-arranged sequences of movements simulating combat.
Kumite (Sparring) – Full-contact sparring with a focus on body strikes, often with minimal protective gear.
The symbol of Kyokushin is called the Kanku (also spelled kan-ku or kankudai) comes from the kata Kanku Dai, meaning “viewing the sky.” The top point of the Kanku represent the first fingers of each hand touching at the top symbolizing the peaks or ultimate point. The thick sections at the sides represent the wrists, symbolizing power. The center circle represents the opening between the hands through which the sky is viewed, symbolizing infinite depth. The whole Kanku is enclosed by a circle, symbolizing continuity and circular action.
Mas Oyama giving a self defense class.
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Kancho Hatsuo Royama.
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When Mas Oyama died in 1994 his organisation fractured into several seperate groups. Today there are around six different Kyokushin organisations. Most of the training in each organisation has remained the same in terms of the intense physical training however one of Mas Oyama's senior students known as Hatsuo Royama (盧山初雄) became concerned that the teaching and philosophy of Mas Oyama needed to be preserved or else they may not be passed on. As a result Hatsuo Royama founded Kyokushinkan International.
By founding Kyokushinkan International, Royama has aimed to preserve Oyama’s teachings, both technically and philosophically. To provide rigorous training in full-contact karate, but with strong emphasis on basics, kata, and proper form. Royama believed in the importance of promoting an intellectual understanding of martial arts—not just physical performance. Today he seeks to promote global unity and education in Karate through seminars, tournaments, and cultural exchange.
Furthermore, Royama emphasizes the concept of "Bunbu Ryodo" (文武両道) – the dual path of the pen and the sword – advocating the importance of both physical martial skill and moral/intellectual development.
The branch chief for Kyokushinkan in Switzerland is Shihan Yves Mathias who is the main instructor at the Karate Center Trimmis. Shihan Yves leads the Garyu Kyokushin Karate School. Our dojo belongs to the Garyu dojo along with Garyu Kyokushin Karate Wadenswill. Shihan Yves is our main instructor and examiner. Our students in the Engadin are therefore able to train whenever they wish at the other Garyu schools.
By founding Kyokushinkan International, Royama has aimed to preserve Oyama’s teachings, both technically and philosophically. To provide rigorous training in full-contact karate, but with strong emphasis on basics, kata, and proper form. Royama believed in the importance of promoting an intellectual understanding of martial arts—not just physical performance. Today he seeks to promote global unity and education in Karate through seminars, tournaments, and cultural exchange.
Furthermore, Royama emphasizes the concept of "Bunbu Ryodo" (文武両道) – the dual path of the pen and the sword – advocating the importance of both physical martial skill and moral/intellectual development.
The branch chief for Kyokushinkan in Switzerland is Shihan Yves Mathias who is the main instructor at the Karate Center Trimmis. Shihan Yves leads the Garyu Kyokushin Karate School. Our dojo belongs to the Garyu dojo along with Garyu Kyokushin Karate Wadenswill. Shihan Yves is our main instructor and examiner. Our students in the Engadin are therefore able to train whenever they wish at the other Garyu schools.
The Garyu dojo has three mascots for each of the schools, the lion represents Wadenswil, the Ibex represents Trimmis and the wolf represents the Engadin.