Long ago, when my father passed away a Japanese politician named Oouchi gave an interview to NHK and Asahi TV here in Japan.
He commented of Sosai's passing as one that:
"Japan lost one of the important cultural representative. Masutatsu Oyama was a man who not only thought of Japan for the Japanese, but thought intently of the Japanese Budo as a gem that passed down but also was borrowed from future generation. He epitomized karate as the Japanese Budo to the world and extended into something that has never been done- at least not on the same par- as way of communication which broke all traditional barriers, as well as a path for self discovery. He introduced Kyokushin Karate which transcended race, religion, social status and most importantly, reminded us of what we Japanese were forgetting- to live with fervor of one's belief. He learned from everything, he was a sponge. He lived with much awareness- almost fearfully on missing out on something which flared with more passion to achieve his goal- to realize the ultimate strength in one self. Through all obstacles presented to him, he believed in fate. He was born to do what he had done and left. For Oyama Sosai, this was achieved by the karate he created, Kyokushin Karate. I will never forget his desire to help others who were as or more in state of deprivation. He was not born privileged but has given so much privilege to others through his karate. I have never met a man who was as openly imperfect and unbelievably personable as he was. And his perseverance and dedication and focus was astounding. I have never met a person who was so diligent with perfecting his belief and also so generous in sharing his accomplishments. He was such a charming man with an amazingly powerful aura, we were all energized in his presence. He changed the way I see myself and how I live my life. Masutatsu Oyama Sosai taught us to be proud wearing Kyokushin kai Dogi's even if we were not really karate-ka, as if it were something innate in us all. That the Budo was innate in all of us."
(Ouchi Keigo is a politician and former minister of health and welfare. He was one of the many politicians and writers Sosai had as board members of IKOK).
After years of being in court no amount of verdict, favorable can do justice for Sosai Masutasu Oyama's work of life and his influence to the people, both in and out of Kyokushin. It is just a stepping stone to making something better.
I cycled today to the Ministry, and I remembered what I loved about my Dad and my family. It really has so much to do with Kyokushin.
So signing up Sosai's writings and all of his creative work at the Ministry of Culture is a way of giving back to his Kyokushin again.
While I was cycling, I recalled one summer.... I think it was 1992 Summer Camp before the World Tournament in Yugawara Camp site. All the A-class fighters back then were there and I was so happy to see my father happy. I went the the onsen (hot spring) near by with Mother while they did their daily regime- including those endless, endless hours of just.... what seemed like twirling and kicking to me lol. My father watch so intently. It was his life- in moving form I guess, doing accordingly to what he- the God Hand the founder of those movements- were asking them to do. It is almost as if, there were no separation because Sosai understood them as someone on a path of fighting. I do not think his mindset was ever on sport competition... to him it was devotional fighting of the spirit. That can at times be present in tournaments.
If I shift my focus on that which brings me most joy when I think of my father and Kyokushin, I think all the nonsense will eventually evaporate. At least from my world. (^;^)
