New Year's Message from Kancho Shokei Matsui

Happy New Year 2022. Thank you for your continuous support to International Karate Organization Kyokushinkaikan.

The pandemic has persisted the last two years. The new Omicron variant extended around the world, and community spread is now reported in Japan. I would like to send my sincere condolences to the families of those who passed away, and hope those who are currently suffering from the infection, will get well soon. I have the utmost respect and appreciation for the medical professionals and government authorities for their tireless efforts combatting the virus. I hope 2022 will be the year the pandemic ends, and we can go back to a normal life.

In 2021, many Kyokushinkaikan annual festivities and championships such as All Japan Weight Category Karate Championships and the 53rd All Japan Open Karate Championship had to be postponed or cancelled due to the pandemic. Fortunately, we could continue daily dojo training, with members' understanding and encouragement, and under the utmost safety measures set by local governments. Thank you all for your support. We are privileged to be able to celebrate the New Year 2022 with you.

The All Japan Open Karate Championship, originally planned for October 2021, is now scheduled to be held this April 2022. We also plan to hold an additional All Japan Open this November, as a selection event for the Japan National Team to the 13th World Open Karate Championship in 2023. 2023 will mark the 100th Anniversary of Sosai Masutatsu Oyama's birth. The 13th World Open will commemorate this milestone anniversary, so all of us, as an organization, will work diligently to make this important event a success.

I would like to make an essential point very clear to all of you. Our International Karate Organization Kyokushinkaikan, is not a "competition" organization, but a "Budo" organization. We are a social health and welfare organization spreading Budo karate through education and continuous practice. The Coronavirus pandemic is a natural disaster on a global scale, and we, as karate practitioners, must consider how our training and discipline in Budo, can overcome this, and any other adversity in the future.

I would like to make sure all of you are aware of the following point as well. Karate has many styles and organizations, and each style or organization has their own philosophy and technique. But most importantly I want you to understand that the Kyokushinkaikan, is the first organization to put its philosophical principal to its name: "Kyokushin" (Ultimate Truth). Sosai Oyama put forth the philosophy and ideals for his practice directly into his organization name.

Many styles symbolize their technique, or their founders' names in identifying their organizations. I am not talking about which name is good or bad. Sosai Oyama taught us that, in principle, karate is one method, without any division in styles. If I dare to state without fear of misunderstanding, karate ideally, should only be one method. "Kyokushin" means, pursuing the ultimate truth, and Sosai's philosophy to "Keep head low, eyes high, reserved in speech, with kind heart, and do good to others with filial piety" is the main goal for our origination, Kyokushinkaikan.

We are a Budo organization, a social health & welfare educational organization, and an organization with the philosophical ideals to pursue "Kyokushin" (Ultimate Truth). I would like all of you, all members, staff, and all those related to us, recognize this. Under those concepts and ideals, we work hard, and will continue to work hard, for the benefit of others. I hope you understand our goal and purpose.

On behalf of all members of the IKO Kyokushinkaikan, I wish all of you, a happy, healthy, and prosperous year, 2022.

Osu

Kancho Shokei Matsui
President, International Karate Organization Kyokushinkaikan
January 1st, 2022