Kyokushin karate books by Mas Oyama

Returning to the Basics in Kyokushin Karate

View the list of books by other Kyokushin masters

The human mind is remarkable, but it doesn’t retain everything and sometimes fills in gaps by forming its own patterns. In Kyokushin Karate, as in any martial art, regularly revisiting the fundamentals helps preserve the essence of the practice.
Consistent work on kihon (basics, fundamentals) and kata (pattern, type) is essential. These elements form the technical and philosophical foundation of karate, supporting both progress and precision.
While karate is primarily learned in the dojo, reaching a certain level of experience often sparks interest in deeper study.
In the case of Kyokushin karate, the most respected reference materials come directly from Sosai Masutatsu Oyama, the founder of the style. Aside from a few reprints, however, most of these works are no longer available in bookstores. A selection of these publications is listed below.

View also our selection of excellent works on Kyokushin published by several other notable masters.

	What is Karate By Masutatsu Oyama, 1958, 176 pages – English. First edition 1958 – Revised edition 1959 – Revised new edition 1963 – Completely new edition 1966. This book is intended for intermediate level practitioners. It presents karate weapons, thrusts, kicks and blocks. Then it presents stances, breathing and daily training methods. Depending on the edition, it introduces kata Pinan 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5, Saiha, Seienchin and Yantsu. It then goes on to discuss basic formal practice fighting and self-defense techniques. It is extensively illustrated with over 1000 photographs. Read What is Karate online
	This is Karate By Masutatsu Oyama, 1965, 368 pages – English. First edition 1965 – Revised edition 1973 – Second revised edition 1980. This book is intended for advanced practitioners. Besides basics and techniques, it presents special drills including the stone-breaking techniques. It also presents hand-hold reversals, lying-down techniques and self-defense. It then goes on to discuss the origin and development of karate. The kata presented in this book are Taikyoku 1, 2 and 3 and Tensho. Read This is Karate online
	Mastering Karate By Masutatsu Oyama, 1966, 176 pages – English. Originally published as “What is Karate”.
	Dynamic Karate By Masutatsu Oyama, 1967, 208 pages – Japanese. Japanese title: ダイナミック空手 This is the first book in Japanese by Masutatsu Oyama after the publication in English of What is Karate (1958) and This is Karate (1965). It is a mix of both. It is about karate history, karate weapons, warm-up, stances, thrusts and strikes, special attacks, kicks, defenses, breathing, sanbon and ippon kumite, postures and kata (Pinan 1, Pinan 2, Pinan 3, Yantsu and bo kata). It then goes on to discuss breaking techniques, training, self-defense, the life story and views of the author and finally on vital points.
	Vital Karate By Masutatsu Oyama, 1967, 128 pages – English. This book is intended for the majority of practitioners. It presents karate weapons, warm-up exercises, stances, thrusts, kicks and blocks. It presents practice fighting and self-defence techniques. It does not include kata. It is widely illustrated with over 200 photographs. French version: Vital Karaté – Sedirep – 1989. Dutch version: Karate – Handleiding voor de karatesport – Elsevier – 1968. Italian version: Karate Vitale – Edizioni Mediterranee – 1982. Read Vital Karate online
	Boy’s Karate By Masutatsu Oyama, 1968, 88 pages – English. This book is mainly intended for children and beginners. It is an adapted version of the Vital Karate book for their level. It presents warm-up exercises, basic stances, thrusts, kicks and blocks. It also presents the Taikyoku 1 kata as well as practice fights and self-defense. It is amply illustrated with over 200 drawings and photographs. French version : Boy’s Karate – Chiron Sports – 1974. Italian version: Karate per ragazzi – Edizioni Mediterranee – 1982.
	Advanced Karate By Masutatsu Oyama, 1970, 256 pages – English. This book is intended for very advanced practitioners. It presents the history of combat techniques, free-style practice fighting, fighting postures and self-defense techniques. It then goes on to discuss special training and artificial respiration and first aid. The kata presented in this book are Seienchin, Garyu, Kanku, Sushiho and stick techniques. Read Advanced Karate online
	For those starting karate By Masutatsu Oyama, 1971, 221 pages – Japanese. Japanese title: 空手を始める人のために This book is intended for beginners. It presents the history of karate, the parts of the body used in karate, warm-up exercises, stances, basic techniques, applied techniques, breaking techniques, vulnerable parts of the human body, and karate as a part of everyday life. It includes the Taikyoku 1 and Taikyoku 3 kata. The book is richly illustrated with photographs.
	Kyokushin Karate – Conquering the World By Masutatsu Oyama, 1975, 132 pages – Japanese / English. Kyokushin Karate – Everything about mind, technique and defense – KYOKUSHIN Karate Conquering the world Japanese title: 極真空手 – 心技攻防のすべて – KYOKUSHIN Karate 世界を征く This book, mainly composed of photographs, illustrates the philosophy of Kyokushin Karate. It also abundantly illustrates the development of Kyokushin Karate throughout the world.
	Hyakumannin no karate By Masutatsu Oyama, 1975, 320 pages – Japanese Japanese title: 100万人の空手 This book is the original Japanese version of Mas Oyama’s Essential Karate
	The Secret of Kyokushin Karate – This is Karate By Masutatsu Oyama, 1976, 368 pages – Japanese Japanese title: 秘伝極真空手 This book is the Japanese translation of This is Karate. It features the kata Taikyoku 1, 2, and 3, as well as Tensho. It also includes Masutatsu Oyama’s eleven favorite mottos.
	The Secret of Kyokushin Karate – Part 2 – Advanced Karate By Masutatsu Oyama, 1977, 276 pages – Japanese Japanese title: 続・秘伝極真空手 This book is the Japanese translation of Advanced Karate. The kata presented in this book are Seienchin, Garyu, Kanku, Sushiho, Pinan 4, Pinan 5 and Saiha.
	Mas Oyama’s Essential Karate By Masutatsu Oyama, 1978, 256 pages – English. This book is intended for advanced practitioners. It presents karate weapons, warm-up exercises, stances and applications of fundamental techniques. It deals with circular techniques and rhythm in karate. It introduces kata Taikyoku 1 and 3, Pinan 4 and 5, and Saiha. It then goes on to discuss kumite and tameshiwari techniques and ends with special applications and physical training exercises. It is extensively illustrated with over 1300 photographs. Read Essential Karate online
	The Kyokushin Way : Mas. Oyama’s Karate Philosophy By Masutatsu Oyama, 1979, 112 pages – English. In this book, Masutatsu Oyama offers the philosophy he worked out on the basis of personal experiences in the hope that it will help the readers to avoid some of the unpleasantness he had known while helping them at the same time to understand the things that had given life significance for him. The different aspects treated in this book are the following: Aspiration – Diligence – Courage – Succes demands courtesy – Parents – Reasons for fighting – Karate and zen – Breath control and mind control – Love and marriage – Keeping money in its place – Liberation, the ultimate truth – Significance today The book is illustrated with over 30 photographs. French version: La Voie Kyokushin : La Philosphie du Karaté de Oyama – Guy Tredaniel – 1993 German version : Der Kyokushin-Karate-Weg – Kristkeitz – 1987
	Mastering Karate By Masutatsu Oyama, 1981, 176 pages – English. Originally published as “What is Karate”.
	This Is Tameshiwari: Beginner’s Guide By Masutatsu Oyama, 1984, 125 pages – Japanese. Japanese title: これが試し割りだ – 入門篇 A practical introduction to tameshiwari (breaking techniques). The book explains the principles of breaking, mental preparation, breathing and concentration. It provides step-by-step instruction for breaking boards, bricks, blocks, ice, and other materials using fists, knife-hand, elbows, palms, kicks, headbutts, and combination techniques.
	Kyokushin Karate no Kihon By Masutatsu Oyama, 1994, 240 pages – Japanese. Japanese title: 極真空手の「基本」 : 史上最強のカラテを学ぶ人に This book covers the basics of Kyokushin karate. It is richly illustrated and presents the Taikyoku 1 and Pinan 2 kata.
	The unfinished Encyclopedia of Karate By Masutatsu Oyama, 1997, 277 pages – Japanese. Japanese title: カラテ全科 – 理論編 At the time of his death Masutatsu Oyama had an unfinished book. It was a Karate encyclopedia/dictionary. He began penning this in 1980, until his death in 1994. Three years after his death this encyclopedia was compiled for publishing by his students.
	Mas Oyama’s Complete Karate Course By Masutatsu Oyama, 1998, 256 pages – English. Originally published as “Mas’ Oyama’s Essential Karate”.
	Karate School By Masutatsu Oyama, 2002, 256 pages – English. Originally published as “Mas’ Oyama’s Essential Karate”.
	Mas Oyama’s Classic Karate By Masutatsu Oyama, 2004, 256 pages. Originally published as “Mas’ Oyama’s Essential Karate”. Preview Classis Karate online
	Mas Oyama’s Complete Karate Course By Masutatsu Oyama, 2008, 256 pages – English. Originally published as “Mas’ Oyama’s Essential Karate”.

View the list of books by other Kyokushin masters

About this page: Detailed list of Kyokushin karate books from Masutatsu Oyama.
A propos de cette page: Liste détaillée des livres de karaté Kyokushin de Masutatsu Oyama.