From Its Founding to the Present and the Future
IBMA KYOKUSHIN KAI was founded by
Akira Masuda to inherit the spirit and techniques of
Kyokushin Karate, study and develop them as Budo, and pass them on
to future generations.
Its purpose is not merely to expand a single karate organization.
It seeks to preserve what has been inherited from Kyokushin Karate,
study its meaning and underlying principles, and open new possibilities
for Budo in response to changes in society and the times.
The Founding of IBMA Kyokushin Kai
Akira Masuda studied the spirit, techniques, kata, and training system
of Kyokushin Karate with the aim of preserving and passing them on
to future generations.
He then developed the concept of an organization that would further
study and develop Kyokushin Karate as Budo.
Based on this vision, he founded IBMA KYOKUSHIN KAI.
In establishing the organization, Masuda received the support and
cooperation of Yukimitsu Nakagawa, who was teaching and promoting
Kyokushin Karate in Okayama.
Nakagawa supported the principles and purposes of IBMA KYOKUSHIN KAI.
Through his activities and cooperation in Okayama, Yukimitsu Nakagawa
contributed to the launch of IBMA KYOKUSHIN KAI and supported its
subsequent activities.
Akira Masuda
Yukimitsu Nakagawa
Yukimitsu Nakagawa’s support and cooperation are important facts in
recording the circumstances surrounding the organization’s establishment.
At the same time, Akira Masuda was the person who conceived and founded
IBMA KYOKUSHIN KAI.
The historical position of the founder is distinct from organizational
positions such as representative, officer, or Shihan.
Even if the representative, officers, headquarters location, or management
structure changes in the future, the historical fact that Akira Masuda
founded IBMA KYOKUSHIN KAI will remain unchanged.
Activities Since Its Founding
Since its founding, IBMA KYOKUSHIN KAI has engaged in karate instruction,
competition, technical research, instructor development, and the
development of rank and qualification systems as a Budo organization
founded on Kyokushin Karate.
In addition to regular dojo training and instruction, it has conducted
joint training sessions, technical seminars, Kyu and Dan examinations,
tournaments, and exchange events.
Through these activities, it has continued to develop practitioners
and instructors.
Its activities have not been limited to Japan.
IBMA KYOKUSHIN KAI has also promoted international Budo exchange and
mutual understanding through cooperation with martial artists and
karate practitioners overseas.
Preserving and Studying Kyokushin Karate
One of the central responsibilities of IBMA KYOKUSHIN KAI is to preserve
the techniques and training system inherited from Kyokushin Karate.
In particular, we value the traditional fundamentals and kata systematized
and left by Masutatsu Oyama.
We also recognize the importance of preserving other specific techniques
and elements of Kyokushin Karate’s technical heritage.
Our purpose, however, is not simply to preserve their outward forms.
We study the meaning, development, body mechanics, and technical principles
underlying these methods so that they can be passed on responsibly
to future generations.
We also study the karate and martial traditions that form part of the
historical roots of Kyokushin Karate.
This research helps us gain a deeper understanding of the origins and
underlying principles of its techniques.
Development Through Competition and Technical Study
Kyokushin Karate has developed many of its techniques through actual
Kumite practice and competition.
IBMA KYOKUSHIN KAI does not treat the techniques that emerge from
Kumite and competition as a permanently fixed tradition.
We regard them as an area that must continue to be studied, tested,
and improved.
Our research examines not only the power of a technique but also its
accuracy, rationality, safety, and quality in both attack and defense.
Through this approach, we seek more advanced methods of karate and
Budo training.
This research is not conducted solely for competition.
It also addresses how technical development can contribute to the growth
of each practitioner’s body, technique, judgment, and mind.
Developing Instructors and Future Generations
To pass an organization, its techniques, and its principles on to future
generations, responsible instructors are essential.
They must understand what they have inherited and be able to communicate
it correctly.
For this reason, IBMA KYOKUSHIN KAI develops people through regular dojo
instruction, Kyu and Dan examinations, instructor education,
technical seminars, and joint training.
Technical ability alone is not sufficient for a Budo instructor.
An instructor must protect the safety of practitioners, respect others,
exercise self-discipline, and make appropriate judgments according
to the situation.
We also believe that instructors should possess the commitment and
attitude necessary to contribute to society through Budo.
Cooperation with IBMA
IBMA KYOKUSHIN KAI supports the principles of IBMA—the
International Budo Human Development Association—and has cooperated
in human development through Budo, instructor education, research,
education, and domestic and international exchange.
Today, IBMA KYOKUSHIN KAI operates as
an independent Budo organization officially recognized by IBMA
and maintains a cooperative relationship with it.
IBMA KYOKUSHIN KAI is not an internal division, branch, or subordinate
organization of IBMA.
Each organization has its own organizational structure, membership system,
authority, and responsibilities.
They cooperate in areas of shared principle and purpose while maintaining
their respective independence.
Cooperation with Affiliated Organizations and Dojos
IBMA KYOKUSHIN KAI is not an organization in which a single central
authority uniformly controls every affiliated organization and dojo.
It seeks to build a framework in which organizations and dojos that
share common principles can cooperate while maintaining their independence.
After affiliation, each organization or dojo retains its own name,
representative, history, teaching policies, training content,
organizational management, and financial independence.
At the same time, shared standards are necessary in areas such as safety,
ethics, qualifications, official recognition, and the use of names
and public representations.
These standards help protect public trust in IBMA KYOKUSHIN KAI and
maintain the quality of its activities as Budo.
This is a fundamental principle for the future development of
IBMA KYOKUSHIN KAI and its relationships with affiliated organizations
and dojos.
Rooted in Tradition, Moving Toward the Future
The history of IBMA KYOKUSHIN KAI is not yet complete.
We respect the spirit and techniques of Kyokushin Karate inherited
from the past.
At the same time, we study their origins and meaning while incorporating
the knowledge and training methods required in the present age.
Through this work, we seek to develop Kyokushin Karate into a safer
and more rational form of Budo that contributes to human development.
IBMA KYOKUSHIN KAI studies and practices what it has received from the past
and seeks to pass it on to future generations in an even richer form.
