»

[polarbearfighter]

I was wondering about what is the status of Kyokushin in Japan?

Do people in general (non karateka) know of its existence or anything about it?
Do many people in general know who Mas Oyama was. Did he have any kind of celebrity status? What about Gichin Funakoshi or Jigoro Kano?
Do Japanese people (non-karateka) know much about karate in general and its different styles.

How big is karate compared to for example judo and sumo wrestling and other japanese and non-japanese martial arts?
(I've heard that professional sumo wrestling is really popular, with huge amounts of money, and that sumo wrestlers are very well known celebrities).

If I understand correctly most secondary-/high schools (and colleges perhaps too?) have judo teams. Is that correctly understood? Do you find Karate or Kendo or other Japanese MA in most or many high schools or is it maybe not associated with the schools in the same way as judo?

[Deaken]

Hard to say exactly, Someone with more time there would have more details.

From my direct experience in Tokyo especially, Kyokushin and the Kanji are fairly well known. In bars, restaurants, hotels, taxi's etc, when I would wear a shirt or jacket with Kanji on it I would often get stopped and asked about it, where I was from, what my connection to it was etc. All postitive and with a lot of respect.

[vapor]

I can only give my personal experience....but most of the people that I encounter know Kyokushin. They know Sosai's name, and they know the reputation of being "fighting karate".

There is not a widespread understanding of the different styles, and especially not of the different factions that have developed after the passing of Sosai.

Judo, or some form of martial arts, (such as kendo) are often part of the sports curriculum in schools. (judo is often core to the training that the police force goes through also)

In terms of sumo, yes, it is an industry, that is well sponsored, but in recent years has gone through a number of scandals, about match fixing, mafia ties, bullying in the training stables, etc.

Again, this is personal observation, and discussions that I have had with my wife's family, and with my friends here in Tokyo.

vapor

[kakatootoshi]

Originally Posted by polarbearfighter

Do many people in general know who Mas Oyama was. Did he have any kind of celebrity status?

In the police drama "SPEC" (starring Toda Erika and Kase Ryo), when Kase Ryo is fatally injured by a criminal with supernatural power, he KIAI and says "Godhand Oyama Masutatsu" to strengthen his spirit.

[slaine]

It always amazes me how little is known of Kyokushin in my own country especially among people who you would think would know about it , I have trained with martial artists of all persuasions , self defence experts , boxers , muay thai specialists and in more recent years MMA guys and every time I mention that I'm a black belt in Kyokushin I always get the same puzzled look and then the statement '' nah never heard of it , what is it ? '' , so it's good to hear that it seems to be a part of the fabric of society in it's home country .

[FighterforLife]

The validity of this I cannot guarantee. However, a while back I once read that the average (meaning: non-martial artist) Japanese knows about as much of martial arts as Americans do about cowboys.

If that is true then in thinking about my own knowledge about the American cowboy I'd say that the average Japanese may know some of the bigger names in martial arts and the very most basics of practice, but is highly susceptible to legend, myth, and just bad info.

[polarbearfighter]

Thank you all very much for your replies. I really appreciate it.

[SKohai]

In the japanese culture and community center we have here in Chicago, i only talked once to the director of the center about kyokushin and he very well knew it. He was a native japanese and said that in japan shotokan is more popular and practicied, but he also knew about kyokushin and its reputation, even though he is not a practicioner of any martial arts.

[FredInChina]

Originally Posted by FighterforLife

(...) Japanese knows about as much of martial arts as Americans do about cowboys.

LOL... that must be the bettest comparison point of the year!


Osu!

[ashiharakaicho]

Originally Posted by SKohai

In the japanese culture and community center we have here in Chicago, i only talked once to the director of the center about kyokushin and he very well knew it. He was a native japanese and said that in japan shotokan is more popular and practicied, but he also knew about kyokushin and its reputation, even though he is not a practicioner of any martial arts.

Over the years we have had a number of Consul General's at the Japanese Embassy. I normally get invited to meet then soon after their arrival and to date perhaps only one had no idea after getting my meishi (biz card), that Ashihara Karate originated from Kyokushin.

So either they train their diplomats well, or they just knew. The new lady did some Judo and the Previous one was a black belt in Shotokan.