Centres Ray Cormier Kyokushin Kenbukai
History of Kyokushin Kenbukai
Sosai Mas Oyama 1923-1994
Founder of Kyokushin Karate
He interacted with many martial artists, traveled around the world to study various martial arts, taught karate, and is the founder of direct striking karate (Kyokushin Karate - full contact karate).
At the age of 15, he became a student of Gichin Funakoshi sensei, and later studied at Takushoku University and Waseda University.
From April 1948, he undertook training in seclusion in the mountains at Kiyosumiyama for one year and eight months.
In 1952 (Showa 27), he traveled to the United States with 4th dan professional judoist Endo Kokichi, and stayed there for about a year, demonstrating karate all over the country and facing off against professional wrestlers and boxers.
After returning to Japan, he defeated bulls with his bare hands (47 in total, four of which died instantly), and the footage was released in 1954 (Showa 29) as the film "Karate Fighting Bulls."
After working at the Oyama Dojo in the former ballet studio in Ikebukuro, he founded the International Karate-do Federation Kyokushin Kaikan in 1964 (Showa 39), and has produced many famous disciples and athletes. It
also became the source of many full-contact styles, and in 1975 he held the 1st World Karate Championship, which sparked a Kyokushin Karate boom around the world.
He passed away suddenly on April 26, 1994, at the age of 70.
Kyokushin Kenbukai
Hiroshige Kaicho 1947-2018
A little history on the founder of Kyokushin Kenbukai:
Tsuyoshi Hiroshige (廣重 毅, Hiroshige Tsuyoshi)(born November 1, 1947 – April 18, 2018) was a Japanese martial artist and karate instructor. Hiroshige is the founder and first chairman of Kyokushin Budo Karate Organization Kyokushin Kenbukai.
History
Tsuyoshi Hiroshige was born in Kitakyushu, Fukuoka Prefecture on November 1, 1947. In June 1973, when Hiroshige was 25 years old, he entered the Kyokushin Kaikan General Headquarters.Hiroshige began his training at Kyokushinkaikan So-Honbu Dojo in June of 1972. Three years later he entered Mas Oyama's Waka Jishi Ryo (Young Lions Dormitory) where he became Dormitory Chief responsible for overseeing the activities of younger uchi deshi. At the unheard-of late age of 28 Hiroshige began tournament fighting with his debut in the 8th All-Japan Tournament. After this tournament he supplemented his karate training with Ikken, and took 7th place in the next year's 9th All-Japan tournament. Hiroshige then went on to take 4th place in the 10th All-Japan tournament, and 5th place in the 11th All-Japan Tournament. In 1979 he represented Japan as a member of the 2nd World Open Karate Tournament team.
While Mas Oyama was alive, Hiroshige was in charge of the Tokyo Jonan Branch of the International Karate Organization. During his time as the head of the Jonan Kawasaki branch, he tutored many future legends of the Kyokushin Karate. These include Kenji Midori (currently Shinkyokushinkai representative), and Hajime Kazumi. After the death of Kyokushin founder Mas Oyama in April 1994, Hiroshige was the director of the Kanto Headquarters of the Kyokushin Kaikan, during the time when organization was headed by Shokei Matsui. In December 2002, having disagreed with the direction Shokei Matsui was taking Kyokushin, Hiroshige, along with Hatsuo Royama, quit Matsui's Kyokushin organization.
The following year, in January 2003, he joined the Kyokushin-kan International Organization Honbu, which was established by Hatsuo Royama, and served as the organization's deputy director. In Kyokushin-Kan, he would again tutor many martial artists that would later win Karate championships, including Ryosuke Tokaibayashi, Nozomu Natsuhara, Yusuke Fujii, and Masaki Fujii. To honour for his prestige in martial arts instruction, the 1st Hiroshige Dojo Cup Kyokushin Karate Championship was held at the Kawasaki Gymnasium in August 2013.
In February 2017, he resigned from the post of deputy director, voluntarily withdrew from Kyokushin-kan. Hiroshige would subsequently establish the "Kyokushin Budo Karate Organization Kyokushin Kenbukai". Hiroshige Kaicho passed away on April 18, 2018, at the age of 70.
Kyokushin Kenbukai
Masahiro Kaneko Kaicho- Current Chairman
Masahiro Kaneko, an 8th dan black belt, is a prominent figure in the world of Kyokushin Karate. Born in 1964 in Tokyo, he served as a close advisor to the first chairman, Hiroshige, a renowned master who trained numerous champions.
Kaneko Kaicho's own impact on Kyokushin is significant. He is widely recognized for his exceptional coaching and player development skills. His guidance has nurtured the careers of many top competitors, including Kazumi Hajime, a legendary champion, and the Fujii brothers, Shusuke and Masaki, who have achieved remarkable success in the All Japan Championships.
His influence extends beyond Japan. He has received coaching requests from various countries, including Poland, South Africa, Ukraine, Iran, Russia, Bulgaria, the United States, Switzerland, Armenia, Italy, Canada, Chile, and South Korea. He travels extensively to conduct seminars and share his expertise, solidifying his status as a global figure in Kyokushin Karate.
Beyond his coaching role, Kaneko holds leadership positions in both the JFKO All Japan Fullcontact Karate Federation and the WFKO Worldwide Fullcontact Karate Federation, further demonstrating his commitment to the growth and development of Kyokushin Karate on an international scale.
