Notice Concerning Historical Kyokushin Items at The Budo Shop.

The Honbu Committee of Sosai Masutatsu Oyama and the Oyama family wish to clarify the status of historical items currently displayed at the Budo Shop operated by Mr. Kakuta in Nishi-Ikebukuro, Toshima-ku, Tokyo, Japan.

As rumors from visitors has reached us recently we felt it necessary for facts to be stated.

None of these items were given or sold to Mr. Kakuta by Sosai Masutatsu Oyama, Mrs. Chiyako Oyama, their daughters, or anyone authorized to act on behalf of the Oyama family.

No ownership of these items was ever transferred to him.

During 1994–1995, after Sosai’s sad passing, Mr. Kakuta accessed to the family storage space on the fifth floor of Sosai’s Honbu Dojo to assist with repairing of the roof and organizing the space.

The removal or permanent retention of these items was never permitted or authorized by the Oyama family or by the Kyokushinkaikan organization.

For many years, the family attempted to resolve this matter with the assistance of the late Shihan Goda.

Unfortunately, a resolution was not reached during his lifetime.

We are now carefully reviewing the circumstances and considering how best to arrange for the items to be returned peacefully, respectfully, and in good faith. We sincerely hope that this can be accomplished voluntarily and with mutual respect.

We have a responsibility to protect the history and cultural heritage of Sosai Masutatsu Oyama and to prevent misunderstanding or misrepresentation, especially in connection with commercial activities.

Accordingly, any representation or implication that these items were personally given, sold, or otherwise transferred to Mr. Kakuta is false.

Visitors to the storefront should not be misled concerning their ownership or provenance.

Our hope meanwhile are that the present and future generations of Kyokushin students and fans can appreciate these historical items for the time being, with a clear understanding of their provenance, until they are returned to the proper ownership of Sosai’s Kyokushinkaikan.

Mas Oyama Kyokushinkaikan

Honbu Commitee