History & Philosophy

The Legacy of Kyokushin Hamai Group

The Legacy of Chairman Noriyasu Hamai

Chairman Noriyasu Hamai was born on February 15, 1954, and passed away on December 14, 2023. His journey in Kyokushin Karate began in 1972 when he entered the Kyokushin Kaikan Honbu Dojo. By 1977, he was appointed as the Branch Chief for Kyokushin Kaikan in Ishikawa Prefecture, marking the beginning of his distinguished leadership career.

In 2006, Chairman Hamai established the Kyokushin Kaikan Hamai Group, creating an organization that would preserve the authentic traditions of Kyokushin while embracing innovation. His vision extended beyond Japan's borders—in 2007, he opened a dojo in Dalian, China, and by October 2014, had established five permanent dojos throughout China, including a sub-branch in Beijing.

A Pioneer of Innovation

Chairman Hamai was known throughout the Kyokushin world as an instructor with a revolutionary approach to karate. He possessed a forward-thinking mindset, studying opponents' kumite through video analysis—a rare practice at the time—and actively incorporating the strengths of other martial arts. He independently researched techniques for face-striking and defense, developing a unique system within his branch.

In recent years, Chairman Hamai developed the "Dragon Glove," a proprietary glove designed for face-striking with an emphasis on safety. His goal was to recreate the kumite of the early days of the Oyama Dojo. He also created the Kyokushin Goshin Karate rules, a self-defense oriented ruleset.

Representative Mika Hamai

Representative Mika Hamai began her training in childhood at the Ishikawa Honbu in 1990. Her dedication to Kyokushin led her to compete in the World Championships in 2001. In 2008, she served as an instructor at the Dalian branch in China, gaining valuable international experience.

In 2016, Representative Hamai established the Kyokushin Kaikan Hamai Group Tokyo Honbu (Headquarters), and within just one year, grew the dojo to over 100 students—a testament to her exceptional leadership and teaching abilities.

Guiding Philosophy

"In today's world, there is a tendency to avoid scolding, even in education. I want every branch to properly guide and, when necessary, correct students' behavior and mistakes during daily training. It is acceptable if the Kyokushin Hamai Group is known for its strict instruction. This is our role in society."

The Philosophy of Kyokushin Karate

Kyokushin Karate is a martial art created by the late founder, Sosai Masutatsu Oyama, based on the following principles:

"Keep your head low, your eyes high, your mouth shut, and your heart wide. Base your actions on filial piety and be of service to others."

"Without practice, there is no proof. Without proof, there is no trust. Without trust, there is no respect."

"Power without justice is violence. Justice without power is incompetence."

"In karate, there is a first move, but no first attack."

The name Kyokushin, meaning "Ultimate Truth," is derived from the martial arts proverb, "One thousand days of training to become a beginner, ten thousand days of training to reach the summit."

The Hamai Group's Organizational Philosophy

Integrity

We constantly demand accuracy in judging whether a student's rank corresponds to their technical ability. When joining, we place great importance on your passion for daily training, your contributions to those around you, and the results of your personal discipline.

Culture & Tradition

One of our core missions is to preserve our culture and traditions. After joining, members are required to participate in joint training sessions, technical instruction, and promotion tests via platforms like Zoom every four to six months.

Communication

To maintain our culture and tradition, we place a high value on communication. Members are expected to travel to Japan once every few years, or we will dispatch an instructor to their location.

Our Instructional System

  • ▪A practical system that inherits the techniques of Sosai Masutatsu Oyama's Kyokushin Karate
  • ▪A training system developed by Chairman Noriyasu Hamai
  • ▪Practical kumite techniques that include face-striking
  • ▪The Kyokushin Goshin Karate rules (utilizing safety-focused face-striking gloves)
  • ▪Strict promotion test criteria including basics, movement, kata, flexibility, strength, jumping kicks, and continuous kumite