10. Joseph Gen Combat Mechanism PTY. LTD.: Kyokushin Karate




Kyokushin Karate

Kyokushin kaikan (極真会館?) is a style of stand-up, full contact karate, founded in 1964 by Korean-Japanese karate master, Masutatsu Oyama (大山倍達 Ōyama Masutatsu?) who was born under the name Choi Young-Eui. 최영의}. Kyokushinkai is Japanese for "the society of the ultimate truth". Kyokushin is rooted in a philosophy of self-improvement, discipline and hard training. Its full contact style has had international appeal (practitioners have over the last 40+ years numbered more than 12 million)[1][2][3].

Contents

History

This section needs additional citations for verification. (August 2007)

Origin

The following is a brief overview of the early life of Masutatsu "Mas" Oyama.
The founder of International Karate Organization Kyokushinkaikan, Masutatsu Oyama, was born Choi Yong-i on July the 27th, during the Japanese Occupation.
As a young child, Oyama enjoyed fighting and watching others fight. His childhood was spent in Manchuria, China where he learned Kempo (Chuan'Fa/18 Hands Techniques) from a Chinese seasonal worker named Lee. Oyama refers to Lee as his first teacher.
In 1938, he emigrated to Japan and studied Okinawan Karate under Gichin Funakoshi, eventually gaining 2nd dan. Later, Oyama also trained under Yoshida Kotaro, a famous Daito-ryu Aiki-jujutsu/Yanagi-ryu Aiki-jujutsu master, from whom he received his menkyo kaiden – an older form of grade, a scroll signifying mastery. This scroll is still on display at the honbu (headquarters) dojo in Tokyo.
Also, upon the advice of his mentor and a member of the National Diet, Matsuhei Mori, around this time the young master took his Japanese name, Masutatsu Oyama, the name he would use for the rest of his life. After World War II, Oyama began his training in Goju Ryu karate under a Korean master in Japan, So Nei Chu, who ran a dojo in Tokyo with the famous goju teacher Gogen Yamaguchi. He would finally attain 8th Dan in Goju Ryu Karate. Another influence from the Goju school was Masahiko Kimura. Although fulfilling the role of assistant karate instructor at the dojo Oyama trained at, Kimura was primarily a famous champion of judo, who defeated Hélio Gracie of Brazilian Jiujitsu (aka. Jujitsu) fame. Kimura encouraged Oyama to take up judo so that he would have an understanding of the art's ground techniques. Kimura then introduced Oyama to the Sone Dojo in Nakano, Tokyo, where he trained regularly for four years, eventually gaining his 4th Dan in this discipline.
It was after this time that Oyama first retreated into the mountains for one of his well-known solitary training periods, the so-called yamagomori. He undertook two such retreats lasting a total of almost three years, in accordance with the ascetic traditions of many of the great warriors of Japan through the centuries. During these periods of isolated retreats spent in training, Oyama engaged in intense shugyo, or spiritual discipline.
In the early 1950s, Oyama traveled to the USA visiting 32 states.[citation needed]
Founder of Kyokushin Karate, Masutatsu Oyama.
In 1953, Oyama resigned from Goju ryu and opened his own independent karate dojo, named "Oyama Dojo" in Tokyo, but continued to travel around Japan and the world, giving martial arts demonstrations (including bare-hand challenges).[citation needed] His first "Oyama dojo" was a vacant lot in Mejiro, Tokyo. In 1956, he moved the dojo into the ballet studio attached to Rikkyo University. Oyama's own curriculum soon developed a reputation as a tough, intense, hard-hitting, and practical style which he named "Kyokushin" in a ceremony in 1957. As the reputation of the dojo grew, students were increasingly attracted by the opportunity to train there, arriving from across Japan and beyond, and their numbers continued to grow.
In 1964, Oyama moved the dojo into a building he refurbished, not far from the ballet studio at Rikkyo. Oyama also formally founded the "International Karate Organization Kyokushinkaikan" (commonly abbreviated to IKO or IKOK), in order to organize the many schools that were by then teaching Kyokushin Karate.

1964 to 1994

After formally establishing the Kyokushinkaikan, Oyama directed the organization through a period of expansion. Oyama hand-picked instructors who displayed ability in marketing the style and gaining new members. Oyama would choose an instructor to open styles in another town or city in Japan. The instructor would move to that town and usually demonstrate his karate skills in public places, such as at the civic gymnasium, the local police gym (where many judo students would practice), a local park, or conduct martial arts demonstrations at local festivals or school events. In this way, the instructor would soon gain students for his new dojo. After that, word of mouth would spread through the local area until the dojo had a dedicated core of students. Oyama also sent instructors to other countries such as the Netherlands (Kenji Kurosaki), Australia (Shigeo Kato), the United States of America (Tadashi Nakamura, Shigeru Oyama and Yasuhiko Oyama, Miyuki Miura) and Brazil (Seiji Isobe) to spread Kyokushin in the same way. In addition, numerous students began to travel to Japan to train with Oyama, consequently returning to their country to spread the art. In 1969, Oyama staged The First All-Japan Full Contact Karate Open Championships which took Japan by storm and Terutomo Yamazaki became the first champion. All-Japan Championships have been held at every year. Also in 1975, The First World Full Contact Karate Open Championships were held in Tokyo. World Championships have been held at four-yearly intervals since.

Divided organization since 1995

Upon Oyama's death, several groups broke away from the International Karate Organization (IKO) Honbu, primarily due to personal conflicts over who should succeed Oyama as chairman. As a supposed will was proven to be invalid in the family Court of Tokyo in 1994, any claim to that will indicating the true intention of Oyama was nullified. Before his death, Oyama named no one as his successor although many now claim to be the rightful leader of his organization.

Kyokushin today

Existing as a single organization under the leadership of the founder, Mas Oyama, the Kyokushin organization divided into several groups after the Master's passing, each claiming their own authority as representing the original Honbu. The groups are often referred to as "IKO1", IKO2", IKO3", etc., although those are not their official names. The different organizations often shun each other and generally refuse to recognize each other as legitimate organizations representing the original Kyokushin organization.
Oyama's widow died in June 2006 after a long illness. According to the Japanese legal system, the Custodian of Mas Oyama's intellectual property and legacy is the youngest of his daughters, Kikuko (also known as Kuristina) through inheritance, who now oversees the management of the original IKO Kyokushin kaikan Honbu, although not directly involved in karate teaching. She also published a book in 2010.
In May 2012, the Japanese Patent Office granted the Kyokushin Kai related trademarks to Kikuko Oyama, after years of long court battle.

Dojo Kun (Training Hall Oath)

In some dojos, the Dojo kun is recited at the end of each training session. Students must learn the dojo kun and have a full understanding of its customs. The training oath is as follows:
  1. We will train our hearts and bodies for a firm and unshakeable[4] spirit.
  2. We will pursue the true meaning of the martial way so that in time our senses are alert.
  3. With true vigour we will seek to cultivate a spirit of self denial
  4. We will observe the rules of courtesy respect our superiors and refrain from violence.
  5. We will follow our religious principles and never forget the true virtue of humility
  6. We will look up towards wisdom and strength not seeking other desires
  7. All our lives through the discipline of karate we will seek to fulfil the true meaning of the Kyokushin way[5]

The Kanji and its Meaning in Kyokushin

Kanji is the representation (using Chinese characters) of the word Kyokushinkai, which is the name of the ryu or style. Translated, "kyoku" means "ultimate", "shin" means "truth" or "reality" and kai means "to join" or "to associate". In essence Kyokushinkai, roughly translated, means "Ultimate Truth".[6] This concept has less to do with the Western meaning of truth; rather it is more in keeping with the bushido concept of discovering the nature of one's true character when tried.[7] One of the goals of kyokushin is to strengthen and improve character by challenging oneself through rigorous training.

Techniques and training

Kyokushin training consists of three main elements: technique, forms, and sparring. These are sometimes referred to as the three "K's" after the Japanese words for them: kihon (basics), kata (forms), and kumite (sparring).

Kata

Kata is a form of ritualized self-training in which patterned or memorized movements are done in order to practice a form of combat maneuvering. According to a highly-regarded Kyokushin text, "The Budo Karate of Mas Oyama" [8] by Cameron Quinn, long time interpreter to Oyama, the kata of Kyokushin are classified into Northern and Southern Katas. For a further classification we need to look closer at each kata and their creator.

Northern

The northern kata stems from the Shuri-te tradition of karate, and are drawn from Shotokan karate which Oyama learned while training under Gichin Funakoshi. Some areas now phase out the prefix "sono" in the kata names.
The Taikyoku kata was originally created by Gichin Funakoshi, founder of Shotokan karate.
  • Pinan Sono Ichi
  • Pinan Sono Ni
  • Pinan Sono San
  • Pinan Sono yon
  • Pinan Sono Go
The 5 Pinan katas, known in some other styles as Heian, was originally created, in 1904, by Ankō Itosu, a master of Shuri-te and Shorin ryu (a combination of the shuri-te and tomari-te traditions of karate). He was a teacher to Gichin Funakoshi. Pinan (pronounced /pin-ann/) literally translates as Peace and Harmony.
Some organizations have removed the "Dai" from the name, calling it only "Kanku", as there is no "Sho" or other alternate Kanku variation practiced in kyokushin. The Kanku kata was originally known as Kusanku or Kushanku, and is believed to have either been taught by, or inspired by, a Chinese martialartist who was sent to Okinawa as an ambassador in the Ryuku kingdom during the 16th century. Kanku translates to "Sky watching".
The Kata Sushiho is a greatly modified version of the old Okinawian kata that in Shotokan is known as Gojushiho, and in some other styles as Useishi. The name means "54 steps", referring to a symbolic number in Buddhism.
  • Bassai-dai (only used in some kyokushin organizations)
A very old Okinawian kata of unknown origin, the name Bassai or Passai translates to "to storm a castle" It was originally removed from the kyokushin syllabus in the late 50ies, but was reintroduced into some kyokushin factions after Masutatsu Oyamas death and the resulting fractioning of the organization.
This kata is a very old Okinawian kata with unknown origin[citation needed]. It is generally classified as belonging to the Tomari-te traditions. The name Tekki translates to "iron horse" but the meaning of the name Naihanchi is "internal divided conflict". It was originally removed from the kyokushin syllabus in the late 50ies, but was reintroduced into some kyokushin factions after Masutatsu Oyamas death and the resulting fractioning of the organization.
Unique
These three kata were created by Oyama to further develop kicking skills and follow the same embu-sen (performance line) as the original Taikyoku kata. Sokugi Taikyoku (pronounced /sock-gee, ty-key-yok/) literally means Kicking Taikyoku. Taikyoku translates as Grand Ultimate View. They were not formally introduced into the Kyokushin syllabus until after the death of Masutatsu Oyama. They are now found in most kyokushin factions.

Southern

The southern kata stems from the Naha-te tradition of karate, and are drawn from Goju Ryu karate, which Oyama learned while training under So Nei Chu and Gogen Yamaguchi.[citation needed]. Two exceptions are "Tsuki no kata" which originates from Seigokan goju ryu where it was created by Seigo Tada under the name "Kihon tsuki no kata", and the Kata "Yantsu" which originates with Motobu-ha Shito ryu, where it is called "Hansan" or "Ansan".
  • Gekisai Dai
  • Gekisai Sho
Gekisai was created by Chojun Miyagi, founder of Goju Ryu karate. The name means "attack and smash"
  • Tensho
Tensho was one of the fundamental, original and older form of Kata. Its origins are based on the point and circle principles of Kempo. It was heavily influenced by the late by Chojun Miyagi and was regarded as an internal yet advanced Kata by Oyama. The name means "rotating palms" and is regarded as the connection between the old and modern Karate.
Sanchin is a very old kata with roots in china. The name translates to "three points" or "three battles". The version done in kyokushin is most closely related to the version Kanryo Higashionna (or Higaonna), teacher of Chojun Miyagi, taught (and not to the modified version taught by Chojun Miyagi himself).
  • Saifa (Saiha)
Originally a Chinese kata. It was brought to Okinawa and karate by Kanryo Higshionna. Its name translates to "smash and tear down".
  • Seienchin
Originally a Chinese kata, regarded as very old. It was brought to Okinawa and karate by Kanryo Higshionna. The name translates roughly to "grip and pull into battle".
  • Seipai
Originally a Chinese kata. It was brought to Okinawa and karate by Kanryo Higshionna. The name translates to the number 18, where 18 is 3x6 which have significances in Buddhism.
  • Yantsu
Yantsu originates with Motobu-ha Shitoryu, the name translates to "keep pure"
  • Tsuki no kata
This kata was created by Seigo Tada, founder of the Seigokan branch of Goju Ryu. Its name means simply "punching kata".
Unique
  • Garyu
The kata Garyu, is not taken from traditional Okinawan karate but was created by Oyama and named after his pen name (Garyu =reclining dragon), which is the Japanese pronunciation of the characters 臥龍, the name of the village (Il Loong) in Korea where he was born.

Ura Kata

Several kata are also done in "ura", which essentially means all turns are done spinning around. The URA, or 'reverse' kata were developed by Oyama as an aid to developing balance and skill in circular techniques against multiple opponents.
  • Taikyoku sono ichi ura
  • Taikyoku sono ni ura
  • Taikyoku sono san ura
  • Pinan sono ichi ura
  • Pinan sono ni ura
  • Pinan sono san ura
  • Pinan sono yon ura
  • Pinan sono go ura

Sparring (kumite)

Sparring, also called kumite, is used to train the application of the various techniques within a fighting situation. Sparring is usually an important part of training in most Kyokushin organizations, especially at the upper levels with experienced students.
In most Kyokushin organizations, hand and elbow strikes to the head or neck are prohibited. However, kicks to the head, knee strikes, punches to the upper body, and kicks to the inner and outer leg are permitted. In some Kyokushin organizations, especially outside of a tournament environment, gloves and shin protectors are worn. Children often wear headgear to lessen the impact of any kicks to the head. Speed and control are instrumental in sparring and in a training environment it is not the intention of either practitioner to injure his opponent as much as it is to successfully execute the proper strike. Tournament fighting under knockdown karate rules is significantly different as the objective is to down an opponent. Full-contact sparring in Kyokushin is considered the ultimate test of strength, endurance, and spirit.

Self defense

Also known as Goshin-jutsu, the specific self defense techniques of the style draw much of their techniques and tactics from Mas Oyama's study of Daitō-ryū Aiki-jūjutsu under Yoshida Kotaro. These techniques were never built into the formal grading system, and as kyokushin grew increasingly sport oriented, the self defense training started to fall into obscurity. Today it is only practiced in a limited number of dojos.[citation needed]

Influence

Kyokushin has had an influence on many other styles. The knockdown karate competition format is now used by other styles. Karate styles that originated in Kyokushin, such as Ashihara Karate, Budokaido, Godokai, Enshin Karate, Seidō juku, Musokai, Shidōkan and Seidokaikan, are also knockdown styles and use slight variations of the competition rules.
A few styles (Kansuiryu Karate and Byakuren) originated independently of Kyokushin and have adopted the competition format. Kokondo is derived from Kyokushin, albeit without competition. Some styles originating in Kyokushin (Jushindo, Daido Juku, Kudo, Zendokai) have changed to mixed martial arts rules.
Kickboxing has been seen as a natural progression for kyokushin competitors[citation needed] and many of Japan's top kickboxers[who?] have started in knockdown karate. The influence of Kyokushin can be seen in the K-1 kickboxing tournament that originated out of the Seidokaikan karate organization, which is an offshoot from Kyokushin.
Kyokushin is the basis of glove karate, a knockdown karate format wearing boxing gloves and allowing punches to the head. Glove karate rules are used in sport karate organizations like Shinkaratedo Renmei and All-Japan glove karate federation.[9][10]

In popular culture

Video games

The movesets of Ryu and Ken from Capcom's Street Fighter franchise are based on Shotokan, the parent style of Kyokushin; Ryu is said to be based on Yoshiji Soeno, a student of Mas Oyama. In Namco's Tekken series, Jin Kazama is said to travel to Brisbane, Australia to learn karate.[11] At the time of Tekken's creation, Cameron Quinn [12] – a well-known instructor of Kyokushin Karate, Mas Oyama's interpreter, and the author of The Budo Karate of Mas Oyama – was teaching students such as Garry O'Neill and Walter Schnaubelt at his well-known Kyokushin dojo in the city of Brisbane.
Jin Kazama uses the art of Kyokushin Karate in Tekken 4, Tekken 5, Tekken 5: Dark Resurrection, Tekken 6, and Tekken 6: Bloodline Rebellion; he can be seen practicing Yantsu and Pinan Sono Yon Kata in various demonstration modes in the Tekken series. Kadonashi Shotaro and his students from Namco's Urban Reign use the art of Kyokushinkai.
Jean Kujo, from the Virtua Fighter series, practices varied forms of full-contact karate, including Kyokushin Karate.
Solara from Marvel Nemesis: Rise of the Imperfects is said to practice Kyokushin.
Kyokugenryu Karate is a fictional martial art from SNK Playmore's Art of Fighting, Fatal Fury, and King of Fighters series. Kyokugenryu (lit. "the extreme style"), which is practiced by Ryo Sakazaki, Robert Garcia, Yuri Sakazaki, Takuma Sakazaki and Marco Rodriguez/Khushnood Butt, is heavily based on Kyokushin Karate.
Karate Master Knock Down Blow a recent game from Crian Soft that is heavy Kyokushin based.

Movies

A trilogy of films starring Sonny Chiba and directed by Kazuhiko Yamaguchi were produced in Japan between 1975 and 1977: Champion of Death, Karate Bearfighter and Karate for Life. Chiba plays Master Oyama who also appears in two of the films.
Dolph Lundgren has a third Dan blackbelt in Kyokushin. It is apparent in his movies, such as Icarus, Diamond Dogs, Universal Soldier, and the others.
The James Bond movie You Only Live Twice, starring Sean Connery, was filmed largely in Japan and featured a karate demonstration by a number of well-known Kyokushin students, including Shigeo Kato (who introduced Kyokushin to Australia and was the original teacher of Shokei Matsui) and the well-known Akio Fujihira who was one of the three fighters who took up the Muay Thai challenge in 1964 and who fought in the ring for many years under the name of Noboru Osawa.
Fighter in the Wind (Korean: 바람의 파이터) is a 2004 South Korean film. It is based on the same title Korean Comic book Fighter in the Wind by Hak-gi Bang which is a fictionalised account of karate competitor Choi Yeung-Eui (최영의) who went to Japan during World War II to become a fighter pilot but found a very different path instead. He changed his name to Masutatsu Oyama (大山倍達) and went across the country, defeating martial artists one after another. This film concentrates on the period when he is still young, and developing his famous karate style, Kyokushin. It is very loosely based on Oyama's life and by using Oyama's name and the name of Kyokushin it in fact is quite misleading. However, it has served to re-introduce Oyama to many younger generation Japanese and Koreans who previously had not heard of him.

TV

Kyokushin was featured on Fight Quest on Discovery Channel as the Japanese Martial Arts Style. Kyokushin was the style of karate featured in an episode of Human Weapon.



오오야마 마스다쓰(大山倍達 1923~1994),한국명 : 최영의

최영의는 1923년 전라도 김제에서 태어났다. 어릴적에는 일본아이들에게 놀림을 당하거나 겁이 많았었다고 한다. 그러나 9세때 그의 아버지가 고용한 중국인 출신의 농군으로 부터 少林功夫를 배웠다. 1938년 16세때 그는 일본으로 건너가 야마나시에 있는 군관학교에 들어가 가라데를 배우기 시작한다. (쇼오토오칸[松濤館]가라테)
그는 동경으로 나와 拓殖大學학생이 되었는데 이때 근때 가라테의 아버지라 할수있는 후나고시 기찐의 사설고장에 나가 2년간 그 마스타에게 직접 배웠다. 18세때 군대에 들어가 부토쿠카이(武德會)에 들어가게 되는 20세때 4단이 된다.

그리고 게릴라 ,정탐부대의 사범이 되었다.
전후 그는 미야기 쵸오주뉴(宮城長順 1888-1953)의 제자인 한국인 조형주밑에서 2년간 쿄오쥬주우류(剛柔琉)를 공부한다.
1947년 24세때 京都에서 열린 전후최초의 무도대회 가라테 부문에서 우승하였다
조형주의 권고로 1948년 치바(千葉)顯남부에 있는 키요즈미산에 들어가 18개월동안 완전히 인간세의 문명과 단절된 고행을 하면서 몸을 단련한다. 폭포수밑에서 좌선을 하고 야생동물과 싸우고 맨손으로 나무와 바위를 치면서....
이 시기에 그는 자기류의 가라테를 확립하고 1951년 문명세계로 돌아왔을 땐(타테야마 해변에 거주) 가라데의 진의를 세계에 전파할 결심을 하게 된다. 그는 이 시기에 52마리의 황소와 맨손으로 결투를 하게 되는데 그중 26개의 소뿔을 잘라버리고 세 마리를 즉사시켰다. 쇼오찌쿠(松竹)영화사는 그의 황소대결을 20분짜리 필름으로 만들어 전국에 보급시켰다. 이로써 그는 전국적 유명인이 된다

타테야마의 자기도장을 닫고 동경으로 이주 한때 토요쿄오에 있는 한국영사관의 보디가드 노릇도 했다.
그는 1952년 3월부터 11월까지 일본유도대표 앤토오 코오키치와 함께 미국 순회시범공연을 하게 되는데 위스키병을 공중에서 산산조각 내는 신기를 펼치는가 하면 당대 최고의 프로복서들과 프로레슬러들을 연전연승 모두 한방에 "아웃 시켜 버렸고" 이러한 경이로운 광경에 놀란 주최측들의 최영의의 싸움장면을 텔레비젼에 방영시켰는데 이것이 가라데가 신비한 동양무술로써 미국 매스메디어에 등장하게 되는 최초의 계기가 된 것이다.
이로써 최영의는 전세계에서 가장 유명한 가라데 마스터가 되었다. 1954년 3개월간 동남아 순방길에 오르는데 이때 '블랙코브라'라는 웰터급 타이 킥복서를 첫 회 3분만에 그 턱을 으스트려 버렸다.
1956년 그 자신의 학교를 열었고 1961년 禪과 자유롭고 거친 쿠미테(組手)를 강조하는 극진회를 창립하였다. 1959년과 1962년에 미국에 돌아와 시카고 뉴욕 캘리포니아 등지에 그의 분관들을 설립하고 30개의 기왓장을 박살내는 등 희안한 격파술 시범을 보이면서 미국대중에게 강력하게 어필하였다. FBI시범도 하였고 1962년에는 유럽순방도 하였다.
1965년 지금 東京都豊島區西池袋 3-3-9에 있는 極眞會館 4층건물을 건축하였고 소련과 동구군에도 그의 분관을 넓혔다.
지금 520개를 넘는 극진회관이 세계에 분포되어 있고 오오야마 자신도 《생명의 가라테》 《가라테는 무엇인가》 등 62권이나 되는 책을 발간하는 등 이론가로서도 활약하였고 그의 전기는 일본인들에게 크게 인기가 있다.
이와함게 최영의는 오래 전부터 청소년의 우상으로 받들어졌다. 그가 최영의가 아니고 최배달, 일본명 오야마 마스타쓰(大山倍達)가 된것도 그가 일본 청소년의 우상이 되었기 때문이었다.
20여년 전 '일본의 위대한 역대 10걸'중 한명으로 뽑히자 극진회 후원장이었던 사토 전 일본 총리가 "외국인의 우상이 되어서는 곤란하다"며 귀하를 요구했기 때문이다. 그는 그 일을 귀하가 아니라 단순한 일본국적 취득이라고 설명하곤 했다.
그의 생을 소재로 한 <대야망>, <바람의 파이터>등의 만화와 최근 <넘버3>(송강호 대사), <바람의 파이터>영화로 더욱 유명한 그는 지난 1964년 국제 공수도회관 극진회관을 일본에 세운 뒤 국제 공수도 연맹 초대관장을 지내면서 일본국내뿐만 아니라 북, 남미, 유럽, 아시아, 아프리카 등 세계각국에 산하연맹을 세우면서 공수도의 국제화를 주도했다.
그리고 그는 세계 격투 여행을 마치고 돌아와 동경에 "대산 도장"이라는(지금은 일본 내의 격투계의 전설적인 도장, 당시 입문자중 70%가 일주일을 견디지 못했고, 그때의 제자들이 지금 세계 격투계를 움직이는 인물들이 대부분이다.) 이름으로 처음으로 제자를 양성한다.
그리고 1994년 4월 71세의 나이에 서거.
그의 유언에 따라 극진 가라데의 2대 관장으로 문장규(일본명 : 마쓰이 쇼케이)가 임명되었으며, 현재 세계 120개국 1400 만명의 제자들이 수련을 하고 있으며, 현재 한국 부산에 정식으로 극진 가라데 부산 본부 도장이 오픈 하여 한국 무도계에 새로운 장을 열 것으로 본다
최영의 총재는 살아 생전에 이 말을 강조했다.
"실전이 아닌 것은 인정받지 못하며 인정받지 못하면 신용을 얻을 수 없게 되며 신용이 없어지면 존경 받을 수 없다."
극진 가라데는 한국인 고 최영의 총재가 남기신 위대한 유산이며, 우리는 그의 무도정신을 배울 필요가 있다.
우리근대 역사는 이와 같은 역사적 거인에 대한 정당한 평가를 내릴 만큼 한가롭지도 못했고 또 가치 기준에 있어서 다원화되어 있질 못했다. 그러나 최영의는 우리의 상상을 초월하는 국제적 거인이며 20세기 인물역사가 낳은 가장 포플러한 가라데 마스터로써 그의 영향은 70년대 브르스 리 출현 이전에는 절대적인 것이었다.
전세계에 일천만인에 이른다는 거대한 조직(극진회관)의 영수로써 건재했었고 또 한국에 대해서도 강렬한 아이덴티티를 느끼고 있는 인물이지만 우리역사는 이러한 세계적인 인물을 외방으로 따돌렸을 뿐 그 에너지를 조국이 안질 못했다.
(최영의님에 대한 자료들중 연도 및 일부 실화가 일치하지 않은 자료가 있습니다.
여기 실린 자료들도 인터넷에서 발최한 자료들중 어느정도 공통되는 자료를 제가 임의데로 간추린 것이니 참고만 하시기 바랍니다)




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