Masutatsu Oyama

Sosai

Legendary karate grandmaster, founder of full-contact Kyokushinkai, and global budo icon.

Quick Facts

Date of Birth7/27/1923

Date of Death4/26/1994

Era20th century

Country of OriginKorea / Japan

Rank / TitleFounder of Kyokushin (10th Dan)

Active Years1950–1994

Biography

Masutatsu Oyama (Choi Yeong-eui) formulated Kyokushinkai Karate in 1964 following isolated mountain training and famous 100-man kumite challenges, establishing the world's premiere full-contact style.

Associated Martial Arts

KyokushinFounder→

The hardest of the major karate styles: fought at full contact without protectors, but with no punches to the head. Founded by Masutatsu Oyama in 1964.