I was once told by a wise friend, "If someone is stepping on your toes, you better had learnt to yell."
A few years ago, there was an unauthorized book published on Sosai. I was still mourning over my mother's passing and to be quite honest, I did not think much of this writer. He was one of those gossip writer that jumped around Matsui group like a flea. He was a bad news and no serious journalist ever took him seriously. Then I found out he had the manuscript already and was in print. I contacted the publisher, who turned out to be was as vile as he was.
What Sosai created is not just a marital arts organization but he actually built a brand around himself and his karate. Which efforts are recognized all over the world today. He was a genius on how he produced them. Then comes is.... this reprehensible human being who publishes a book which denounces your worth and damages the image/reputation to make a name for himself. To top it off, Sosai is not in his physical body to defend himself. I had to something.
The book was disgusting. It was full of fabrications from the writer's supposed "research", it was scathing. As worst was the publisher. It is one of most renowned Japanese publishing house, I was surprised they even decided to take part in it. It showed me of my father's concern with the decline of Japanese integrity.
He had outright lies in his book, his intention was to damage Sosai and the Kyokushin reputation to sell his name. The man was not just bad- he was evil. His intent was defamation. It was so far from truth, I had no idea what he was even writing about. And it only boiled down to this: money and attention. This was not the way to do it, at least not properly. I decided not to look the other way.
Although mourning, I started researching. His reporting was reprehensible and he had to bear the consequences. I contacted Matsui san, Goda san, Royama san etc... but they did not want anything to do with this pit-viper writer! I said it is not about
him,the writer, it is about their teacher and Kyokushin! Still they said, "Oh... we don't want extra trouble." I can tell my father is rolling in his grave! Again, I had to do something. Once the book was out, people will see it as facts. That is the power and the responsibility of journalism.
I borrowed money and sued both the writer and the publisher. For a large sum. Now, it is not very Japanese- the amount we asked for and the public apology. We demanded to have one full page on newspaper of our choice as well as on their website for a certain period of time. It took all the way to High Court since the publisher was fighting for
their reputation now. At any event I told them- especially the publisher, that I am not interested in settling without a large payment and a full apology. There 's always going to be struggling writers but the publishing house- they helped make this mess big time.
The result from the courts were 100% satisfactory. The writer closed his office and the publishing house issued public apology and the editor who was responsible was fired. What was left after the lawyer's fee, the money went to build the MOC Unity Funds, which I dedicated to Sosai and my mother, Chiyako. It's purpose is to fund raise through activities of Kyokushin Karate or from it and sent to nine different charities world wide, in the name of my parents. We come up with different projects every year, in honor Sosai and my mother.
One of the greatest lesson I learned from my parents is to never give in something you don't believe in. They never, ever gave up and I look today what Kyokushin is doing for thousands of students who train them. Truly astonishing. I could not have some loser take advantage of Sosai and his Kyokushin. The culmination of it was a greater good that came out.
It was definitely worth the fight and I had yelled when my toes were stepped on!
