Most of the following information was obtained from PERFECT
KARATE by Saiko Shihan S. Oyama, Shihan Y. Oyama
and Shihan M. Miura.
Shigeru Oyama was born in Tokyo on July 7th, 1935. After beginning the
study of karate at an early age and attending Japan University, he became
a professional karate master, having trained with and under
Mas Oyama during the early days of the development of Kyokushin.
Undefeated in tournament bouts throughout Japan, he fought the
100-man kumite in the mid-60's, and rose to the rank of Grand Master.
In 1967, the then Saiko Shihan came
to White Plains, New York. Recognised as the top Japanese karate master
and an international authority on Kyokushin karate, he was selected
to introduce traditional Japanese karate adapted to a modern system
to American students.
All worldwide Kyokushin champions subsequently travelled to New York
to train under his tutelage, coming from Japan and Europe, as well as
throughout the US.
In addition to his teaching and mentoring duties, Shigeru Oyama has
written three volumes on karate, including the prize-winning novel U.S.
Karate Adventure. He is the current chairman of WORLD OYAMA KARATE,
which became an independent organisation in 1981 and which is headquartered
in New York City. In October 1985, he received a citation for professional
excellence presented by President Ronald Reagan at the the Whitehouse.
One of Shigeru Oyama's demonstration favourites is the sword catch,
where someone swings a samurai sword down at his head and he "claps"
to catch it between his palms. It is said that he once missed catching
it, whereupon he rose (with a gash to his head) and said something to
the effect that he needed to go to the hospital for this one!
He however continued catching swords with his "clap" and
is recorded on several videos doing this.
