2026 New Year's Message from Kancho Shokei Matsui
- 2026-01-01
Happy New Year!
I sincerely thank everyone for their continued support for the International Karate Organization KYOKUSHINKAIKAN.
Two years ago, we marked the 30th anniversary of the passing of our founder, Sosai Masutatsu Oyama, and also my 30th year as the head of the organization, coinciding with the 60th anniversary of the founding of the International Karate Organization KYOKUSHINKAIKAN. Last year was a year of renewal, aiming toward the upcoming 70th and eventually 100th anniversaries of our organization. From the Mitsumine Winter Training Camp in January to the All Japan Open Karate Championship in December, we successfully held our annual events, and I am truly grateful for your deep understanding and cooperation.
Regarding major events last year, we hosted the 7th World Weight Category Karate Championships in April, the All Japan Weight Category Karate Championships in August, and the 57th All Japan Open Karate Championship at the end of December. In all these competitions, we could see the growth of our athletes, and I believe these events served as important milestones targeting the 14th World Open Karate Championship scheduled for autumn 2027.
I would like to mention that the All Japan Weight Category Championships were held in collaboration with the All Japan Karatedo Organization Shinseikai, a new supporting member of the IKO KYOKUSHINKAIKAN. Moving forward, we plan to deepen our cooperation and schedule with IKO's supporting members, enhancing the All Japan Weight, All Japan Open, International Karate Friendship and the Kyokushin Sai. We look forward to your continuous support.
The International Karate Organization KYOKUSHINKAIKAN is a Budo organization founded by our founder, Sosai Masutatsu Oyama, based on the wisdom he derived from his turbulent life. Our ideal is to, "Keep your head low (modesty), eyes high (ambition), reserved in speech (serenity), be kind in heart and base yourself on filial piety and benefit others." Based on this philosophy, Sosai Oyama coined his practice for our organization, "KYOKUSHIN" (Ultimate Truth).
Kyokushin Karate is also based on the unique spirituality taught by Sosai: "Without real experiences, there is no proof; without proof, there is no trust; without trust, there is no respect" and "Justice without power is powerless; power without justice is mere violence." Kyokushin Karate is an unpretentious, pragmatic Budo karate. Through daily training, we pursue the martial arts ideals of "The Strongest" and "Ichigeki Hisatsu" (One strike to knockout).
Furthermore, as stated in the KYOKUSHINKAIKAN "Meichi Gannen" (New Year's pledge), through the wisdom of Budo Karate, our ultimate goal is to develop generations of Karate-ka, to respect our family and lineage, have compassion for our neighbors, contribute to society, and achieve World Peace. Our direction is threefold; the KYOKUSHINKAIKAN strives to be the strongest, to pursue mutual benefit between society and our organization, and to flourish eternally. By promoting Kyokushin Karate and the Budo spirit, which is a superior traditional Japanese culture, we KYOKUSHINKAIKAN, aims to improve the daily lives and health of all people, regardless of age or gender, foster youth development, social welfare, and international exchange.
Looking ahead to major events in 2026, we are pleased to announce the following: First, the International Friendship Karate Championships, which will bring together competitors of all generations, from children to seniors, from around the world. This event is scheduled to take place during the Golden Week holiday of Japan in early May. In June, we will hold the All Japan Weight Category Karate Championships; in August, the Kyokushin Sai; and in November, the 58th All Japan Open Karate Championship, which will serve as the qualifying event for the IKO Japan Team for the 14th World Open Karate Championship in 2027.
The 58th All Japan Open Karate Championship this November, which is expected to feature top-level competitors from overseas, will make it a true prelude to the world stage. We anticipate intense and high-level matches, and we encourage the participating competitors to train diligently and prepare the competition with a strong sense of purpose. We also look forward to many spectators and supporters enjoying and cheering on the matches.
On the other hand, as previously mentioned, if we consider the International Karate Organization KYOKUSHINKAIKAN as a "martial arts organization" and a "social physical education organization," then it can be said that our championships and events should serve as places of discipline for both the organizers and competitors.
Since it is a "martial art", the pursuit of "practicality" aimed at becoming the strongest is essential. As long as it is a competition, it must uphold what Sosai Oyama always stated, "basics ought to be grounded yet adaptable, kata should be realistic with purpose, and fighting should be gracious with beauty." We must enhance "competitiveness" so that our competitions illustrate Kyokushin beautifully, with skill and grace.
Furthermore, as a social physical activity, ensuring safety is of utmost importance. The competitions must also embody the spirit of martial arts and the philosophy of Kyokushin, making these qualities evident in the event. We sincerely hope that everyone understand this philosophy. We look forward to your support and cooperation this year as well.
As we welcome the New Year, the world continues to face ongoing conflicts and numerous challenges. Politically, we are at a turning point, and in Japan we are repeatedly affected by natural disasters such as earthquakes and heavy rains. It can truly be said that we are in the midst of a turbulent era.
Under such circumstances, the true value of our activities as a martial arts organization, is being tested. Moreover, it is also because of these tough times that the IKO KYOKUSHINKAIKAN as an organization and we as individuals aspiring to follow the path of Budo, must once again keep the philosophy of Kyokushin and the teachings of Sosai Oyama in mind, and live each day with integrity and honor.
I sincerely wish that 2026 will be a healthy and fulfilling year for everyone. I also hope that our activities will contribute to positive cycles, promoting harmony and peace in the world.
Please accept my New Year's greetings in this spirit.
Thank you very much for your continuous support.
Osu.
Kancho Shokei Matsui
President, International Karate Organization KYOKUSHINKAIKAN
January 1st, 2026
Video of 2026 New Year's Message from Kancho Shokei Matsui on KYOKUSHIN ONLINE
I sincerely thank everyone for their continued support for the International Karate Organization KYOKUSHINKAIKAN.
Two years ago, we marked the 30th anniversary of the passing of our founder, Sosai Masutatsu Oyama, and also my 30th year as the head of the organization, coinciding with the 60th anniversary of the founding of the International Karate Organization KYOKUSHINKAIKAN. Last year was a year of renewal, aiming toward the upcoming 70th and eventually 100th anniversaries of our organization. From the Mitsumine Winter Training Camp in January to the All Japan Open Karate Championship in December, we successfully held our annual events, and I am truly grateful for your deep understanding and cooperation.
Regarding major events last year, we hosted the 7th World Weight Category Karate Championships in April, the All Japan Weight Category Karate Championships in August, and the 57th All Japan Open Karate Championship at the end of December. In all these competitions, we could see the growth of our athletes, and I believe these events served as important milestones targeting the 14th World Open Karate Championship scheduled for autumn 2027.
I would like to mention that the All Japan Weight Category Championships were held in collaboration with the All Japan Karatedo Organization Shinseikai, a new supporting member of the IKO KYOKUSHINKAIKAN. Moving forward, we plan to deepen our cooperation and schedule with IKO's supporting members, enhancing the All Japan Weight, All Japan Open, International Karate Friendship and the Kyokushin Sai. We look forward to your continuous support.
The International Karate Organization KYOKUSHINKAIKAN is a Budo organization founded by our founder, Sosai Masutatsu Oyama, based on the wisdom he derived from his turbulent life. Our ideal is to, "Keep your head low (modesty), eyes high (ambition), reserved in speech (serenity), be kind in heart and base yourself on filial piety and benefit others." Based on this philosophy, Sosai Oyama coined his practice for our organization, "KYOKUSHIN" (Ultimate Truth).
Kyokushin Karate is also based on the unique spirituality taught by Sosai: "Without real experiences, there is no proof; without proof, there is no trust; without trust, there is no respect" and "Justice without power is powerless; power without justice is mere violence." Kyokushin Karate is an unpretentious, pragmatic Budo karate. Through daily training, we pursue the martial arts ideals of "The Strongest" and "Ichigeki Hisatsu" (One strike to knockout).
Furthermore, as stated in the KYOKUSHINKAIKAN "Meichi Gannen" (New Year's pledge), through the wisdom of Budo Karate, our ultimate goal is to develop generations of Karate-ka, to respect our family and lineage, have compassion for our neighbors, contribute to society, and achieve World Peace. Our direction is threefold; the KYOKUSHINKAIKAN strives to be the strongest, to pursue mutual benefit between society and our organization, and to flourish eternally. By promoting Kyokushin Karate and the Budo spirit, which is a superior traditional Japanese culture, we KYOKUSHINKAIKAN, aims to improve the daily lives and health of all people, regardless of age or gender, foster youth development, social welfare, and international exchange.
Looking ahead to major events in 2026, we are pleased to announce the following: First, the International Friendship Karate Championships, which will bring together competitors of all generations, from children to seniors, from around the world. This event is scheduled to take place during the Golden Week holiday of Japan in early May. In June, we will hold the All Japan Weight Category Karate Championships; in August, the Kyokushin Sai; and in November, the 58th All Japan Open Karate Championship, which will serve as the qualifying event for the IKO Japan Team for the 14th World Open Karate Championship in 2027.
The 58th All Japan Open Karate Championship this November, which is expected to feature top-level competitors from overseas, will make it a true prelude to the world stage. We anticipate intense and high-level matches, and we encourage the participating competitors to train diligently and prepare the competition with a strong sense of purpose. We also look forward to many spectators and supporters enjoying and cheering on the matches.
On the other hand, as previously mentioned, if we consider the International Karate Organization KYOKUSHINKAIKAN as a "martial arts organization" and a "social physical education organization," then it can be said that our championships and events should serve as places of discipline for both the organizers and competitors.
Since it is a "martial art", the pursuit of "practicality" aimed at becoming the strongest is essential. As long as it is a competition, it must uphold what Sosai Oyama always stated, "basics ought to be grounded yet adaptable, kata should be realistic with purpose, and fighting should be gracious with beauty." We must enhance "competitiveness" so that our competitions illustrate Kyokushin beautifully, with skill and grace.
Furthermore, as a social physical activity, ensuring safety is of utmost importance. The competitions must also embody the spirit of martial arts and the philosophy of Kyokushin, making these qualities evident in the event. We sincerely hope that everyone understand this philosophy. We look forward to your support and cooperation this year as well.
As we welcome the New Year, the world continues to face ongoing conflicts and numerous challenges. Politically, we are at a turning point, and in Japan we are repeatedly affected by natural disasters such as earthquakes and heavy rains. It can truly be said that we are in the midst of a turbulent era.
Under such circumstances, the true value of our activities as a martial arts organization, is being tested. Moreover, it is also because of these tough times that the IKO KYOKUSHINKAIKAN as an organization and we as individuals aspiring to follow the path of Budo, must once again keep the philosophy of Kyokushin and the teachings of Sosai Oyama in mind, and live each day with integrity and honor.
I sincerely wish that 2026 will be a healthy and fulfilling year for everyone. I also hope that our activities will contribute to positive cycles, promoting harmony and peace in the world.
Please accept my New Year's greetings in this spirit.
Thank you very much for your continuous support.
Osu.
Kancho Shokei Matsui
President, International Karate Organization KYOKUSHINKAIKAN
January 1st, 2026
Video of 2026 New Year's Message from Kancho Shokei Matsui on KYOKUSHIN ONLINE
