Kyokushin - Brutal, beautiful, or both?

Hello

I read a thread quite a while ago on the general forum about American Kenpo, and the tradition of the "Birth of pain" (from what I understand, this involves the instructor striking a student in order to prepare them for the next stage of their training).

To some, this seemed like a brutal and unneccessary practice. To others, it was seen as a part of training, something that was part of kenpo, and something that made them a better martial artist. Everyone had different views.

It got me thinking about Kyokushin. Now, let me just say, I have never studied Kyokushin or and of the Ryu's that are influenced by it, such as Enshin. But as an outsider, so to speak, I feel like it is a good jumping off point for this thread.

Do you consider Kyokushin to be brutal or beautiful, or both? By brutal, do you find it an overly physical style of karate, that is too competitive and forsakes martial spirit for martial skill? By beautiful, is it karate as it should be? Does it represent karate at its best? Does it allow true growth, in whatever sense, a karateka can obtain?
Or is it a both?

Any opinions welcome.


P.S. Just debating for debating sake really, its been slow round the forums for the past little while. I wanted to ask this before, but was unsure if folks would be interested. But in light of the slow period, I just went for it. Hope no one minds!

Prize...Do you consider Kyokushin to be brutal or beautiful, or both? By brutal, do you find it an overly physical style of karate, that is too competitive and forsakes martial spirit for martial skill? By beautiful, is it karate as it should be? Does it represent karate at its best? Does it allow true growth, in whatever sense, a karateka can obtain?
Or is it a both?

Neko456- I find it to be an expression of what its founder Mas Oyama wanted it to be, he thought the Ultimate Karate. It is a fight orintated Karate style that stresses contact and toughness. Is it one of the best examples of Karate maybe it is, but probably not. Is it brutal, not if you are trained for it. Is it beautiful compared to what, its application work in that I find some beauty. It is an effective form of Karate, in that you use what is effective and what will Ko the opponent.

Where is its weakness? NO HEAD CONTACT WITH THE HANDS and elbows. And the way they train and use high kicks maybe. On the street that not a good thing if used, instinctively, maybe. For Me is not practical, unless he has already been injuried/setup or really hurt bad. They kick to the head by instinct with totalling results but the great "WHAT IF" does exist, I'll stick to low line kicks on the street unless as the above stated happens. So it doesn't really just cross over into the street but it could, with all their other weapons.

In open and full contact competition the lack of training or concern for blocking their head from hand assaults cost them dearly. But there is no doubting their power if they hit you clean. The limited use of various effective hand combos also hurts them imho.

Is it a good starting point, most certainly a powerful one, if you are into that its even beautiful. Is it the Ultimate Karate not with the lack of head contact with hands and elbows.

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Do you consider Kyokushin to be brutal or beautiful, or both?

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neither.