The Godhand: The Indomitable Karate Legacy of Mas Oyama

Justin Hagen, M. Ed
May 15
4 min read

In the post-war era of martial arts, one name became synonymous with raw power and ultimate truth: Mas Oyama (1923–1994). As the founder of Kyokushin, the "Ultimate Truth" style, Oyama stripped away the non-contact formalities of traditional karate to reveal a full-contact discipline that tested the very limits of human endurance.

From the Farm to the Frontlines

Born Choi Yeong-eui in Gimje, Korea, during the Japanese occupation, his journey began at age nine under the guidance of a Chinese farmer working on his family’s land. In 1938, he moved to Japan and adopted the name Masutatsu (Mas) Oyama. The name "Oyama" translates to Baedal in Korean, a poignant reference to an ancient Korean kingdom.

During World War II, Oyama was enrolled in a Japanese aviation school, but the war's end left him adrift in a landscape of destruction. Frustrated by the American occupation, he frequently found himself in physical altercations with military police. Seeking a way to channel his anger into spiritual peace, he sought out the greatest teachers of the age, studying Shotokan under Gichin Funakoshi and Goju-Ryu under Nei-Chu So and Gōgen Yamaguchi.

The Mountain Retreat

To achieve true mastery, Oyama realized he had to leave society behind. He retreated to the wilderness of Mt. Minobu and later Mt. Kiyosumi for a total of nearly three years. Living off the land and training rigorously in total isolation, he forged his body against the elements. It was here that the "Godhand" was born—a karateka capable of extraordinary feats of strength.

Feats of Human Achievement

Upon returning from the mountains, Oyama’s fame exploded. He won the first Japanese Martial Arts Championships and performed public exploits that seemed superhuman. Most famously, he wrestled bulls to the ground with his bare hands, famously chopping off their horns with a single "shuto" (knife-hand) strike.

Perhaps his most grueling legacy is the 100-man kumite—a test of fighting 100 consecutive opponents in full-contact rounds. Oyama didn't just complete it; he did it three times in a row over three consecutive days. Through these exploits, he demonstrated a core Kyokushin belief: that anyone could achieve power through absolute dedication.

Eleven Mottos

Oyama shared his life’s wisdom into his book The Kyokushin Way, which served as the moral compass for Kyokushin practitioners. The principles shared in this work bridged the gap between the physical grind of the dojo and the spiritual path of the warrior. Some key words of wisdom to take away from his book included:

The Martial Way begins and ends with courtesy. Therefore, be properly and genuinely courteous at all times.
Following the Martial Way is like scaling a cliff, it continue upwards without rest. It demands absolute and unfaltering devotion to the task at hand.
Strive to seize the initiative in all things, all the time guarding against actions stemming from selfish animosity or thoughtlessness.
Even for the Martial Artist, the place of money cannot be ignored. Yet one should be careful never to become attached to it.
The Martial Way is centered in posture. Strive to maintain correct posture at all times.
The Martial Way begins with one thousand days and is mastered after ten thousand days of training.
In the Martial Arts, introspection yields wisdom. Always see contemplation on your actions as an opportunity to improve.
The nature and purpose of the Martial Way is 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 demands.
Always remember, in the Martial Arts the rewards of a confident and grateful heart are truly abundant.

A Global Legacy

Through his writings—such as What is Karate? and The Kyokushin Way—Oyama exported his "full-contact" philosophy to the world. Today, Kyokushin is one of the most widely practiced styles of karate, known for its "knockdown" fighting and the unyielding spirit of its practitioners. Mas Oyama proved that karate was more than a sport; it was a fire that tempered the soul.

*This article was written by Justin Hagen and abridged, edited and restructured with Open AI. The original article can be found in its entirety within Justin Hagen's book Shodai-Soke: 101 Quotes, Anecdotes & Precepts From the Founders of Modern Japanese Martial Arts available on Amazon HERE

About the Author

Justin Hagen is a martial artist, educator, and Japanese ukiyo-e–inspired woodburn artist who has dedicated his life to the intersection of combat tradition, history, and visual art. A martial arts practitioner since 1994, Justin also holds a B.A. in History (East Asian Studies) and an M.Ed. from DeSales University, where his graduate research focused on the impact of martial arts on student behavior.

Currently a Pennsylvania public school educator and an instructor of Kyokushin Karate, Taekwondo, and Kickboxing in Hatfield, PA, Justin is also a contributor to Black Belt Magazine. He is the author of several works, including Intent: The Path of the Warrior and Shodai-Soke: 101 Quotes, Anecdotes & Precepts From the Founders of Modern Japanese Martial Arts. Through his writing and art, he continues to explore the timeless discipline, ethics, and personal development found within the warrior’s path.