Masutatsu (Mas) Oyama was born Yong I-Choi on the 27th of July, 1923, in a village not far from Gunsan in Southern Korea.
In 1938, at the age of 15, Mas Oyama traveled to Japan to train as an aviator, to be like his hero of the time, Korea’s first fighter pilot.
In 1953, Mas Oyama opened his first “Dojo” – a grass lot in Mejiro in Tokyo… The rest is history.
May Oyama was the ultimate example of what can be accomplished when the mind, body, and spirit act as one. It is through his example that we train and strive to understand ‘the ultimate truth’.
Following the Martial Arts Way is like scaling a cliff – continue upwards without rest. It demands absolute and unfaltering devotion to the task at hand.
The Martial Arts way begins and ends with courtesy. Therefore be properly and genuinely courteous at all times.
Strive to seize the initiative in all things, all the time guarding against actions stemming from selfish animosity or thoughtlessness.
Even for the Martial Arts practitioner, the place of money cannot be ignored. Yet one should be careful never to become attached to it.
The Martial Arts way is centered on posture. Strive to maintain correct posture at all times.
The Martial Arts way begins with one thousand days and is mastered after ten thousand days of training.
In the Martial Arts, introspection begets wisdom. Always see contemplation on your actions as an opportunity to improve.
The nature and purpose of Martial Arts are universal. All selfish desires should be roasted in the tempering fires of hard training.
The Martial Arts begin with a point and end in a circle. Straight lines stem from this principle.
The true essence of the Martial Way can only be realized through experience. Knowing this, learn never to fear its demand.
Always remember; in the Martial Arts, the rewards of a confident and grateful heart are truly abundant.
