What is Kyokushinkai Karate

What is Kyokushinkai Karate

You may have heard of Kyokushinkai Karate. This martial art is not exactly the same as traditional karate. That is why we are going to get to know it briefly and mark the fundamental differences.

Kyokushinkai Karate

The term Kyokushinkai is made up of three words: Kyou, which means the highest; Shin, which stays for truth or reality; and Kai, which means meeting or partnering. That is, we could interpret this art as the School of the highest truth.

It was founded by Master Masutatsu Oyama in 1964, when he created the World Headquarters. His idea was to create a technique capable of bringing together the best of various martial arts. For this, he was inspired by boxing, muay thai, goju ryu and shotokan karate.

Therefore, in this martial art we find low kicks, circular movements and even grips, based on the kion technique, which is a form of kata, in the kumite style for combat, with full contact.

Differences between traditional karate and Kyokushinkai

Let's briefly see the main differences between both techniques:

- While traditional karate is influenced by kendo, judo or aikido, Kyokushinkai derives more from muay thai or goju ryu, as we have seen.

- Kyokushinkai is barely over 50 years old, while karate has been known since the 16th century.

- Kyokushinkai Karate does not use protections or equipment, while the traditional Karate does.

- Traditional karate is less violent, but also less effective than Kyokushinkai.

- In the kumite mode, traditional karate allows you to win by points, while in Kyokushinkai it is only done by K.O.

- Kyokushinkai is not considered for the Olympics, traditional Karate will be from the year 2020.

This is the Kyokushinkai Karate that seeks personal and mental improvement through the highest truth in its school. Do you dare?

Image courtesy of ymathis