Before diving into the PDF, one must understand the man. Masutatsu Oyama (1923–1994) was a Zainichi Korean-born master who sought to revive the lost fighting spirit of traditional Okinawan karate. He famously retreated to a mountain for three years of solitary training, fought bulls (bare-handed), and tested his "Kyokushin" (Ultimate Truth) style against 270 different opponents in post-war Japan—losing none.
His Complete Karate Course is not a collection of theories. It is a field manual written by a man who smashed 2,000 roof tiles in a single public demonstration. When you open this PDF, you are not reading a book; you are downloading the ghost-written scribbles of a warrior monk.
Mas Oyama’s estate (the International Karate Organization) still protects his legacy. While discussing the "Mas Oyama 39-s Complete Karate Course Pdf" is common in forums, distributing it is technically copyright infringement.
If you find a PDF online, use it as a preview. If the material speaks to you—if you feel that call toward the "hard style"—do the right thing. Buy the book. Support the legacy of the man who fought bulls and founded the strongest karate on earth.
Osu.
Did you find this post helpful? If you own a rare copy of this book, leave a comment below about which chapter changed your training the most.
Since this book was originally published in the 1960s (specifically 1960/1961 under titles like What is Karate? or later This is Karate, often compiled into "Complete Karate Course" editions), this review addresses the content, historical value, and practical utility for the modern martial artist.
This guide helps you study and practice content from Mas Oyama’s Complete Karate Course PDF (a classic Shotokan/kyokushin-influenced resource) to build technique, conditioning, kata, and sparring skills over 12 weeks. Assume you have the full PDF and basic karate experience.
Originally published in the 1970s, this book is often divided into two distinct volumes bound as one: The Kyokushin Way and The Complete Kyokushin Karate. Unlike modern "coffee table" martial arts books filled with glossy photos and vague descriptions, Oyama’s course is gritty and direct. Mas Oyama 39-s Complete Karate Course Pdf
The Mas Oyama's Complete Karate Course PDF typically contains:
If you just want to glance at the techniques: Find the PDF. It’s fine for reference.
If you actually want to learn Kyokushin: Do not rely on the PDF.
The Complete Karate Course is best used as a training log. Get a used physical copy (they aren't cheap, usually $50–$100 on eBay). Take it to the dojo. Let it get sweaty. Dog-ear the page for Sanchin stance. Before diving into the PDF, one must understand the man
Better yet, find a dojo. The PDF cannot correct your posture. It cannot shout "Osu!" when you want to quit. It cannot test your spirit in sparring.
There are few names in karate as legendary as Mas Oyama. Known as "The Godhand," he was famous for fighting bulls (chopping off their horns with knife-hand strikes) and engaging in full-contact challenges. This book serves as the foundational text for his style, Kyokushin Karate.
Unlike many modern books that focus on "sports karate" or point-fighting, this text is rooted in Budo (martial way). Oyama’s philosophy is clear: Karate is for combat, character building, and survival. The PDF version circulating today is likely a scan of the original 1960s edition, which gives it a gritty, vintage aesthetic that matches the content.
