The Style of Kyokushin Karate The Japanese refer to Mas Oyama's Kyokushin karate as kenka karate, meaning "brawling" or "brutal" karate. But Mas Oyama tells his students "Kenka karate ja-nai! Budo karate da!" which translates to "This is not brawling karate! It's budo karate! One look at a Kyokushin karate tournament reveals the answer. Kyokushin karate fighters in Knockdown style tournaments are among the fiercest in the world. Many Kyokushin Karate students consider themselves modern day Samurai, by following Mas Oyama's teachings encompassed the Budo / Bushido fighting spirit and attitude. This spirit which is seen in demanding training sessions, gradings & tournaments is very evident of this. At World level competitions there are no weight classes; a fight ends only when one fighter proves beyond doubt his superiority, which can mean his opponent may be flat on the mat and may need to be carried away on a stretcher. Kyokushin Karate is Power Karate! Why does Sosai Oyama refer to it as "budo karate"? Perhaps because kyokushin fighters personify the budo (warrior) concept better than any other karate stylists. Through his budo karate, Sosai Oyama has indeed revived the Japanese spirit in terms of the positive characteristics of bushido, the " way of the warrior," which was so much of the culture of feudal Japan. In a modern world of peace and unification, many have forgotten this ancient code and see no need for the old warrior ethic but in a time when it is no longer necessary to carry a sword for personal protection, the discipline of budo recreates in the hearts of its followers the do-or-die attitude of living life by the unspoken law of the sword. And that law is: Be prepared to sacrifice. Always remember that all Karate-ka, whether black belt or beginner who is totally ignorant to the teachings of Karate, train in the same dojo & on the same floor. All practice the same techniques and aspire toward the same ideals. Therefore, all are governed by the same requirements of etiquette