This blog is written to provide clarity for myself, my family, and those who support the legacy of Sosai Masutatsu Oyama (Mas Oyama) and Kyokushin Karate.
The IKO Charter and Kyokushinkaikan Branch Chief Contract
In 1992, my father, Sosai Mas Oyama, drafted and finalized the IKO Charter and the Kyokushinkaikan Branch Chief Contract. These documents defined the roles, duties, and ethical guidelines for branch chiefs to ensure accountability and preserve the integrity of Kyokushin Karate.
Key Principles of the Branch Chief Contract
The Role and Responsibilities of a Branch Chief
Financial Obligations for Maintaining Their Position
Adherence to a Code of Ethics
The Creation of the Branch Chief Contract
To provide historical context, my father recognized the need for a formal structure to legalize the organization as a judicial foundation in Japan. While Sosai was alive, the IKO Kyokushinkaikan operated as an unincorporated judicial entity, meaning he was the sole proprietor of the organization. It relied heavily on the goodwill and trust of branch chiefs and dojo operators. At the time, branch territories and responsibilities were not clearly documented.
To address this, Sosai sought a top legal expert specializing in contract, corporate, and international law to formalize these arrangements. This demonstrated the seriousness of his intent to build a structure that would outlast him. The contracts required branch chiefs to contribute financially, operate ethically, and serve the public through the teaching of Kyokushin Karate.
Challenges After Sosai’s Passing
The 1992 Branch Chiefs’ Meeting
Before finalizing the contract, Sosai held a pivotal meeting with all 54 branch chiefs prior to the 5th World Tournament in November 1992. With the support of Shihan Goda Yuzo, a trusted advisor and then-branch chief of Tokyo’s Johoku area, Sosai communicated his expectations clearly.
He made it explicit that any branch chief unwilling to abide by the new rules was free to step down. This decisive measure addressed issues such as unauthorized ticket sales, non-payment of dues, and falsification of membership records.
Despite these efforts, many branch chiefs misled Sosai and the Honbu administration by underreporting student numbers. To this day, it is these same individuals who caused the fragmentation of the organization and continue to refuse to pay intellectual property fees, despite operating as independent business owners who benefit from Sosai’s legacy.
Legal Betrayal and Manipulation
One of the main instigators of this fragmentation was a fraudulent lawyer hired by Hasegawa and his followers. In 1997, Hasegawa and Tabata deliberately concealed the branch chief contract from the court, falsely claiming there were no regulations set forth by Sosai. This was a calculated attempt to sway the courts in a trademark dispute by arguing that Sosai’s regulations were not binding.
This outright violation of the branch chief contract went unchallenged in court due to the evidence being withheld.
Trademark Disputes and Legal Struggles
Key Lawsuits and Their Outcomes
In 2017, Hasegawa, then representing So-Kyokushin, sued me regarding the Oyama family trademark. He claimed that my trademark registration disrupted “public policy and morality” and caused “unfair competition.”
While inheritance rights to the original logos, copyrights, and service marks are clear, the Japanese courts have struggled to determine the legitimate succession of the IKO organization after Sosai’s passing. This ambiguity has remained a point of contention.
In a separate lawsuit, I successfully closed unauthorized dojos that had violated agreements binding them to the organization. Hasegawa argued that my enforcement actions threatened his so-called “grandfather clause,” despite his clear violations of the ethical and contractual framework established by my father.
Attempts at Reconciliation
During the lawsuit, I urged Hasegawa to gather the branches under Sosai’s original structure and speak to Kancho Matsui, the only leader who had retained the organizational framework left by my father. In 2019, I made the difficult decision to transfer the trademark registration at no cost, under the agreement that the organization would unite as one IKO Kyokushinkaikan and that merchandise and dogi royalties would be paid to the Oyama family.
This decision was made with my parents’ vision in mind. However, none of these agreements were honored. All royalty payments, which rightfully belonged to the Oyama family, were ceased, cutting off financial resources and making it impossible to maintain the Honbu Dojo.
Upholding Sosai’s Legacy
Revoking Agreements and Restoring Ownership
We have since revoked the court agreement with Hasegawa and the branch chief committee. We are now pursuing the dissolution of the trademark transfer to restore it to its rightful owner: the IKO Kyokushinkaikan, as originally founded by Sosai Mas Oyama.
It has become evident that, for some, Kyokushin is no longer about preserving Sosai’s legacy or the practice of the martial way. Instead, it has become a means of personal financial gain.
A Call to Preserve Kyokushin
When my father passed away, I was 22 years old. I returned from the United States to Japan to support my mother and elder sister, both of whom had extensive experience managing dojos and working closely with Sosai. Together, we have faced these challenges in the aftermath of his passing.
My father envisioned IKO Kyokushinkaikan as a public entity dedicated to giving back to society. Despite the difficulties of succession, I believe it is our family’s duty to support those who honor their commitments and uphold Sosai’s vision.
As a custodian of my father’s legacy, I write this as a reminder of the true essence of Kyokushin Karate. It is not a business venture or a platform for self-enrichment—it is a way of life built on discipline, integrity, and respect. My father’s dream was to spread Kyokushin Karate globally while preserving its core values as a Budo organization.
Looking Forward: A Commitment to Kyokushin’s Future
I will continue to write and share articles about the history and legalities surrounding Kyokushin to educate and inspire future generations.
Attachments
For reference, we have attached the 1992 Branch Chief Contract signed by Hasegawa, along with an English translation.
Kuristina Oyama Custodian of the Mas Oyama Legacy
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