Division is not new to Kyokushin. Tadashi
Nakamura left in 1976, Shigeru
Oyama split off in 1981, Steve
Arneil and the BKK did so in 1991, and there have been others both
before and after, especially in the US, some of which had not even been
formally associated with the Japanese Honbu. Some of these maintained
the principles of Kyokushin and still call it Kyokushin, while others
modified it and/or improved it e.g. Ashihara or Daido Juku.
The reasons for the separations are many and varied. Some did not
approve of the way the Kyokushinkaikan was being managed, others did
not see eye-to-eye with Mas Oyama, and others still might have had a
conflict of culture. With all his ability in karate, he was still human
and subject to human foibles. And so were those with whom he worked.
Having built up an organisation of over 10 million karateka worldwide,
it is also entirely likely that some of these, after having achieved
a senior level, might have disagreed with him or simply wanted to put
their own ideas into practice, and therefore decided to go their own
way.
In any family, the children must move on. Some will live like the father,
while others will make their own lives. So it is, and so it should be.
And so too is has been in Kyokushin, and will no doubt continue to be.
This series of pages are an attempt to list and chronicle the divergence
of Kyokushin, out from under the leadership of one man. If you know
of any other Kyokushin splinter groups, please e-mail me with the details.
A slightly different view can be had on the lineage
page.
To the best of my knowledge, these are as correct - if they're not,
please let me know.
