School of the Tiger

Outsiders think the bowing is ceremonial.

A tradition.
A formality.
Something you do because the old ways said to.

They bow in, they bow out.
They do not think about it again.

We do not bow out of habit.
We bow because we are about to ask something serious of the person across from us.

We bow because they are about to give it.
We bow because what happens on this mat requires a kind of trust
most people never offer a stranger.

You are going to hit me.
I am going to hit you.
And when it is over we will shake hands
and mean it.

The bow is not the beginning of a ritual.
It is a contract.
Outsiders see a gesture.

We make a promise.
Osu.
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The hardest truth beginners face in Karate isn’t about physical difficulty—it’s about patience. Most people walk in expecting quick progress and exciting techniques, but what they encounter instead is repetition, slow improvement, and constant correction. Repetition feels boring until you realize it’s what builds real skill; slow progress feels frustrating until you understand it’s what makes that skill permanent; and humility becomes essential because ego blocks learning faster than anything else. What nobody says out loud is that mastery is not built on talent or motivation, but on accepting these uncomfortable realities and continuing anyway. That’s why so many start—but only a few stay long enough to truly grow.

The philosophies of these masters reveal that Karate was never meant to be just about fighting—it was always about shaping character through discipline and understanding.

Gichin Funakoshi believed karate was a way of life, not a tool for victory. His focus was on respect, self-control, and moral development, teaching that true success is found in perfecting one’s character rather than defeating others.

Mas Oyama emphasized toughness and pushing beyond limits. His philosophy centered on perseverance through hardship, believing that real growth comes from enduring pain, discipline, and intense training.

Kenwa Mabuni valued technical precision and mastery of basics. He taught that before seeking advanced skill, one must first perfect the fundamentals, building a deep and reliable foundation.

Choki Motobu focused on practical effectiveness. He believed karate should work in real situations, stressing adaptability, timing, and understanding how techniques apply under pressure.

Taiji Kase taught continuous self-improvement over winning. His mindset was about evolving every day, refining technique, and never becoming satisfied with one’s current level.

Hirokazu Kanazawa highlighted timing, control, and efficiency. He believed that technique is not about strength alone, but about precision, flow, and using the right moment effectively.

Teruyuki Okazaki focused on growth through struggle. He saw challenges as necessary for development, teaching that difficulty builds the strength needed for both karate and life.
Together, their philosophies show different paths—but all point to the same truth: karate is not just about becoming a better fighter, but becoming a better person.

Are You The One😎⁉️
Stay... Learning KARATE

In the early days of Kyokushin, students training under Mas Oyama obsessed over punches and conditioning. They hit trees. They broke boards. They hardened their shins until one kick ended any conflict .

But during kumite, Oyama kept stopping the fights.

Not to correct punches.
Not to adjust guards.
He walked straight to their feet.

Accounts from senior students describe the same correction over and over: fighters leaning too square, heels too heavy, stance too long. They looked powerful, but they couldn’t move. When pressure came, they folded backward or froze in place.

Oyama would step into range without striking and push them lightly. If they shifted or stumbled, training stopped.

His lesson was blunt: if a stance can’t absorb force and return it, it’s decoration.

So he made them fight again — slower, closer — with strict attention to foot angle, weight distribution, and forward intent. Fighters learned to keep the front foot alive, the rear foot rooted, and the hips ready. Not pretty. Just functional.

That foundation shaped Kyokushin kumite into what it became: pressure-forward, resilient, hard to knock back.

Feet first.
Then power.
Then spirit.

That order hasn’t changed. 🥋

Happy 2026!
Warm New Year wishes to all Kyokushin Karate practitioners around the world from the Mas Oyama Kyokushinkaikan Office.

This photograph was taken on January 11, 1989, at Sosai Mas Oyama’s Honbu Dojo, during the All-Japan Branch Chiefs’ New Year Training.

The reason karate gi (karategi or dōgi) jackets are always worn left side over the right is due to a long-standing Japanese cultural tradition.
Cultural and Historical Reasons
Respect for Tradition: The practice originated from a Chinese-influenced clothing code adopted in Japan during the Nara period (718 CE) which mandated the left-over-right style for all robes. Adhering to this rule shows respect for the martial art's culture and heritage.
Symbolism of Life and Death: In traditional Japanese culture, the only time a garment is worn with the right side over the left is when dressing a person who has passed away for burial. Wearing it the "wrong" way while alive is considered a grave error.
Practicality (Historical): Historically, this closure method also served a practical purpose for the predominantly right-handed samurai class. Wearing the left panel over the right allowed for an unobstructed path to draw a sword carried on the left hip, preventing the hilt from getting caught in the garment.
Modern Martial Arts Context
In the dojo, the rule persists as a sign of respect and discipline. The uniform (gi) itself promotes a sense of equality among practitioners, as everyone, regardless of their social standing outside the dojo, wears the same attire. The correct way to wear the gi is a fundamental aspect of martial arts etiquette.

Attention! Its time for Sparring!
Tuesday/Thursday classes spar on Tuesday 9/23 at regular class times.
Monday/Wednesday classes spar on Wednesday 9/24 at regular class times.
Please be prepared with mouth guards and other gear as needed. Ask your Sensi’s if you need to purchase a mouth guard.

Sparring this week!
**Monday/Wednesday classes will spar on Wednesday 8/27 at regular class times.
**Tuesday/Thursday classes will spar on Thursday 8/28 at regular class times.
Hope to see you there, gear up and get ready! 🥋😃🥋