Shokei Matsui
Encyclopedia
, also known by his Korean name of Moon Jang Gyu (Hangul
: 문장규; Hanja
: 文章圭), is a master of Kyokushin karate and current Kancho (Director) of one faction of the International Karate Organization
(IKO) founded by Mas Oyama (1923–1994).
Matsui was born in 1963 and started training in Kyokushin karate at age 13. In 1976, he joined the Kita Nagare-Yama Dojo in Chiba Prefecture
and attained the rank of 1st dan black belt
in a little over one year. Matsui's tournament achievements include:
Matsui completed the 100-man kumite
in 1987, when ranked 4th dan. In May 1992, Matsui opened his own dojo in Asakusa
, Tokyo, and was later appointed as a Branch Chief by Oyama.
Near the end of his life, Oyama named Matsui (then ranked 5th dan, and clearly junior in rank to several senior instructors) to succeed him in leading the IKO. Reportedly, a letter by senior Kyokushin instructor Peter Chong
noted that Matsui was surprised to hear that he had been appointed to succeed Oyama, but also that Oyama had earlier named Matsui before several other people as the leading candidate to succeed him. Matsui then became Kancho (Director). Following a dispute over the veracity of Oyama's will, Kyokushin karate as an organization divided into three main groups, led by Matsui, Kenji Midori, and Yoshikazu Matsushima.
Matsui is currently ranked 8th dan, and leads one of the IKO groups, supported by Yuzo Goda, Bobby Lowe
, Peter Chong, and Seiji Isobe. Loek Hollander
had previously supported Matsui, but withdrew his support in August 2010.
Hangul
Hangul,Pronounced or ; Korean: 한글 Hangeul/Han'gŭl or 조선글 Chosŏn'gŭl/Joseongeul the Korean alphabet, is the native alphabet of the Korean language. It is a separate script from Hanja, the logographic Chinese characters which are also sometimes used to write Korean...
: 문장규; Hanja
Hanja
Hanja is the Korean name for the Chinese characters hanzi. More specifically, it refers to those Chinese characters borrowed from Chinese and incorporated into the Korean language with Korean pronunciation...
: 文章圭), is a master of Kyokushin karate and current Kancho (Director) of one faction of the International Karate Organization
International Karate Organization
The International Karate Organization was founded by Mas Oyama in Japan. Its purpose is to promote and teach the Kyokushin Way around the globe...
(IKO) founded by Mas Oyama (1923–1994).
Matsui was born in 1963 and started training in Kyokushin karate at age 13. In 1976, he joined the Kita Nagare-Yama Dojo in Chiba Prefecture
Chiba Prefecture
is a prefecture of Japan located in the Kantō region and the Greater Tokyo Area. Its capital is Chiba City.- History :Chiba Prefecture was established on June 15, 1873 with the merger of Kisarazu Prefecture and Inba Prefecture...
and attained the rank of 1st dan black belt
Black belt (martial arts)
In martial arts, the black belt is a way to describe a graduate of a field where a practitioner's level is often marked by the color of the belt. The black belt is commonly the highest belt color used and denotes a degree of competence. It is often associated with a teaching grade though...
in a little over one year. Matsui's tournament achievements include:
- 1980 — placed 4th in the 12th All Japan Open Karate Championships, when he was just 17
- 1981 — took 3rd place in the All Japan Open Karate Championships
- 1982 — took 3rd place in the same event
- 1983 — placed 8th place in the same event
- 1984 — placed 3rd in the same event
- 1985 — placed 1st in the same event
- 1986 — placed 1st in the same event and completed 100 man kumite
- 1987 — won the 4th World Open Karate Tournament, becoming the youngest champion ever
Matsui completed the 100-man kumite
100-man kumite
100-man kumite is an extreme test of physical and mental endurance in Kyokushin karate. Kumite , one of the three main sections of karate training, involves simulated combat against an opponent. The 100-man kumite consists of 100 rounds of kumite, each between one-and-a-half and two minutes in...
in 1987, when ranked 4th dan. In May 1992, Matsui opened his own dojo in Asakusa
Asakusa
is a district in Taitō, Tokyo, Japan, most famous for the Sensō-ji, a Buddhist temple dedicated to the bodhisattva Kannon. There are several other temples in Asakusa, as well as various festivals.- History :...
, Tokyo, and was later appointed as a Branch Chief by Oyama.
Near the end of his life, Oyama named Matsui (then ranked 5th dan, and clearly junior in rank to several senior instructors) to succeed him in leading the IKO. Reportedly, a letter by senior Kyokushin instructor Peter Chong
Peter Chong (karateka)
Peter Chong, PBM is a Kyokushin karate master and a former Assistant Superintendent of Police in Singapore. He is the International Committee Chairman for Asia and the Middle East in the International Karate Organization founded by Masutatsu Oyama and now led by Shokei Matsui.-Early life:Chong...
noted that Matsui was surprised to hear that he had been appointed to succeed Oyama, but also that Oyama had earlier named Matsui before several other people as the leading candidate to succeed him. Matsui then became Kancho (Director). Following a dispute over the veracity of Oyama's will, Kyokushin karate as an organization divided into three main groups, led by Matsui, Kenji Midori, and Yoshikazu Matsushima.
Matsui is currently ranked 8th dan, and leads one of the IKO groups, supported by Yuzo Goda, Bobby Lowe
Bobby Lowe (karateka)
Edward 'Bobby' Lowe was a prominent Chinese American master of Kyokushin karate. He was the first uchi deshi of Masutatsu Oyama, founder of Kyokushin karate, and established the first Kyokushin school outside Japan...
, Peter Chong, and Seiji Isobe. Loek Hollander
Loek Hollander
Loek Hollander is a prominent Dutch karate practitioner. He began training Kyokushin Karate in the Netherlands in 1962. Hollander earned his 1st dan ranking in 1965.Hollander was the fourth person ever to complete the 100-man kumite in 1967...
had previously supported Matsui, but withdrew his support in August 2010.