World Oyama Karate Organization

Contributed by Shihan John Lehner*

The World Oyama style of karate developed out of Kyokushin Karate -- one of the most famous styles in Japan and worldwide. The founder of World Oyama Karate, Soshu (Grand Master) Shigeru Oyama, was Mas Oyama's top student for 30 years before establishing his own organization in 1985.

About Soshu Shigeru Oyama

Soshu Shigeru Oyama began training in the Kyokushin style at a very early age under Mas Oyama, and rose to become his top student. He was undefeated in the many tournament bouts he fought throughout Japan. In 1967 Mas Oyama sent him to the United States to teach, but before leaving Japan, he had to complete the 100-man kumite, a grueling fight in which you must defeat 100 consecutive opponents. (Soshu actually defeated 120!)

Soshu began his career in the United States in White Plains, New York. Over the years he trained many of the top Kyokushin competitors, who traveled from Japan, Europe, and the U.S.A. He continued to develop more and more effective techniques and teaching methods until, in 1981, he founded World Oyama Karate, headquarted in New York City.

All black belts at our dojo must be awarded by Soshu. He travels to San Jose about once a year to conduct black belt tests and clinics. This is a wonderful opportunity for our students to learn from a true master.

South Valley Oyama Karate - Black Belt Test and Clinic

In October of 2000 we were thrilled to have Soshu Oyama and his wife, Sensei Patricia Oyama, visit our dojo to conduct a black belt test and a clinic.

The black belt test was on Saturday, October 7th, and what a day it was! We had more students testing at once than in any previous year, and all but one were testing for a rank above shodan. What a tribute to the long-term dedication of our students! We could not have been more proud.

Testing for shodan was Hiroshi Tanaka. Testing for nidan were Michelle Gutierrez, Motoi Fukunishi, Dana Ramsey, Olaf Schneider, John Walsh, and Irene Gutierrez. Testing for sandan were Victor Taveras, Mike Czarny, and Chuck Giza. Sensei Victor flew in all the way from his dojo in Malaysia to test! Sensei Mary had been promoted to yondan by Soshu after Summer Camp, but he asked her to perform the test along with everyone else.

Testing began with everyone demonstrating basic techniques, including, naturally, the most advanced variety of combinations and kicks of any of our tests so far. Next we went on to Kata, performing almost all of the lower-belt katas. Those testing for nidan also performed Seienchin, and those testing for sandan performed Kan-Ku as well. Hiroshi, going for shodan by himself, had to perform weapons katas.

The high point of testing, of course was Kumite. The majority of students testing were 35 years age and above, but you would not have known it from their performance! Soshu had students do their kumite testing in groups of 3 to 4 at a time, and everyone fought extremely well. Most of our kohais were present to participate in the fighting, and they did heroic duty as well, fighting many rounds each. (Thanks!) Those who had not fought Sensei Victor in years, remembered all the (painful) lessons they had learned from him, and lots of new students got to learn them as well. Unfortunately for Sensei Victor, he had the only significant injury of the testing, a broken toe, which he fought with, not telling anyone until after the test.

We had the great and unique privilege of test results being announced immediately at the end of the test by Soshu. Everyone passed the test! Soshu tied a black belt (way too short!) on Hiroshi, and taped a new stripe on everyone else's belt. He had taped a 4th stripe on Sensei Mary's belt before the test, but to everyone's astonishment, he proceeded to tape a 5th stripe on after the test! Soshu had told us before he arrived that he would surprise us by doing something for the first time ever. That turned out to be making Mary the first female Shihan Dai in the organization.

I think everyone after this experience, especially Shihan Dai Mary, came away feeling very honored and exhilarated, but also humbled, and with a renewed desire to contribute everything possible to both our dojo and the World Oyama Organization so as to live up to the confidence placed in us.

On Saturday night we celebrated with a banquet in honor of Soshu and Sensei Patricia. We all went to a nice restaurant called 840 North First, located not so coincidentally, at 840 North First St. in San Jose. We had our own banquet room there, and they put on a great spread for us all the way from appetizers to delicious desserts!

On the next day, Soshu conducted a clinic that focused on close-in fighting techniques. We practiced using shita tsuki, furi uchi, and gedan mawashi geri in combinations against an opponent at very close range. Everyone was extremely excited about this material, which we had not previously had the opportunity to learn from Soshu. We will definitely be practicing what we learned at our fighting classes on Sundays!