1. Overview
Shokei Matsui (松井 章奎Matsui ShōkeiJapanese, born January 15, 1963), also known by his Korean name of Moon Jang-gyu (문장규Mun JanggyuKorean, Hanja: 文章圭Mun JanggyuKorean), is a South Korean martial artist based in Japan. He is the current Kancho (Director) of the International Karate Organization (IKO) Kyokushinkaikan, one of the main factions of Kyokushin karate founded by Mas Oyama. Matsui is recognized as a significant figure in Kyokushin karate, notably for being the youngest champion of the World Open Karate Tournament and for his achievement of the rigorous 100-man kumite. His career and leadership have been marked by both significant accomplishments in the martial arts world and various challenges, including organizational splits and legal controversies, often intersecting with his identity as a Zainichi Korean.
2. Early Life
Shokei Matsui's early life was shaped by his birth in Japan as a second-generation Zainichi Korean and his early immersion in martial arts, transitioning from other disciplines to Kyokushin karate.
2.1. Birth and Childhood
Shokei Matsui was born on January 15, 1963, at University of Tokyo Hospital in Bunkyō, Tokyo, Japan. As a second-generation Zainichi Korean, his ancestral lineage traces back to the Nampyeong Mun clan. Following his birth, his family later relocated to Kashiwa, Chiba Prefecture.
2.2. Education and Martial Arts Beginnings
In June 1975, while attending Kashiwa Municipal Kashiwa Junior High School, Matsui developed an admiration for Mas Oyama after reading the manga series Karate Baka Ichidai. This led him to abandon his previous training in Shaolin Kung Fu to join the Kyokushinkaikan Chiba Kita branch (Tezuka Dojo) in Nagareyama as an instructor under Shigeo Kato. He achieved the rank of 1st dan black belt in a little over one year, becoming the youngest black belt in Kyokushin history at the age of 14.
Matsui frequently visited the Honbu Dojo for training, where he was personally mentored by Terutomo Yamazaki and engaged in kumite training with Makoto Nakamura, a prominent fighter at the time. After graduating from Keihoku High School, he gained admission to Chuo University's Faculty of Commerce, Department of Management, through a designated school recommendation, eventually graduating. Upon entering Chuo University, he became an uchideshi (live-in student) at the Kyokushinkaikan's Wakashishi Dormitory. However, to escape unreasonable physical discipline from older disciples, he moved to live at Kazuhiko Nagata's gym, introduced by Koichi Kawabata, sharing living space with Shigeru Watanabe. Additionally, he trained weekly at Hatsuo Royama's Kyokushinkaikan Royama Dojo, focusing on techniques devised by Hideo Nakamura of Karate-do Kendo-kai. To address a weakness in his punching technique, he began training with former professional boxer Kazuo Yoshidome, who was introduced to him by Nagata.
3. Karate Career
Shokei Matsui's competitive karate career was marked by rapid ascent through the ranks, significant tournament victories, and a symbolic achievement, all while navigating complexities related to his national identity.
3.1. Early Tournament Successes
Matsui made his debut in the 12th All Japan Open Karate Championships in November 1980, securing a notable 4th place at just 17 years old. He continued to perform strongly in subsequent All Japan Open Karate Championships, placing 3rd in 1981 and again in 1982. After the 1982 tournament, he was promoted to instructor at the Honbu Dojo, and in March, he accompanied Mas Oyama to instruct the Singapore Army Special Forces. In the 15th All Japan Open in November 1983, he finished 8th, an event where he sustained a serious injury, breaking two ribs during his match against Katsumi Mitsukawa. In 1984, he achieved 3rd place in the 3rd World Open Karate Tournament. Matsui then won the 17th All Japan Open Karate Championships in November 1985, defeating Hiroki Kurosawa in the final.
3.2. World Championship and 100-Man Kumite
In May 1986, Matsui successfully completed the rigorous 100-man kumite, a demanding test of endurance and skill in Kyokushin karate, holding a 4th dan rank at the time. This feat solidified his reputation as a formidable fighter. The same year, in November, he secured his second consecutive victory at the 18th All Japan Open Karate Championships, defeating Akira Masuda in the final, and was selected as the captain of the 15-member Japanese team for the upcoming 4th World Open Karate Tournament. Leading up to this, he traveled to the United States to train at USA Oyama Karate, led by Shigeru Oyama. He also engaged in special training sessions at sumo stables like Takasago-beya and Kokonoe-beya, introduced by Yutaka Miyahata, where he learned fundamental sumo exercises such as shiko (stamping), teppo (pillar pushing), suriashi (sliding steps), and butsukari-geiko (charging practice).
From November 6 to 8, 1987, Matsui participated in the 4th World Open Karate Tournament. He emerged victorious, defeating Andy Hug of Switzerland in the final match, thereby becoming the youngest champion in the tournament's history. Despite this achievement, the Kyokushinkaikan (Matsui faction) officially records Francisco Filho's victory in the 7th World Open Karate Tournament in 1999 as the first time a non-Japanese competitor won the championship. Matsui's overall competitive record includes 50 wins and 6 losses across 56 matches.
3.3. Nationality and Zainichi Korean Identity
Shokei Matsui's identity as a Zainichi Korean significantly influenced his competitive career and public perception. Around 1984, he joined the Zainichi Korean Student Alliance, deliberately choosing not to acquire Japanese nationality. He had expressed a desire to represent South Korea in the World Open Karate Tournament, but this was not permitted by Mas Oyama. At the time, there was an implicit understanding among the media to avoid discussing Matsui's Zainichi Korean background, as well as Oyama's own origins. Reflecting on this period in his book Ichigeki no Ken, Matsui stated that he wished to compete as a representative of South Korea but Oyama did not approve. He told the media, "I didn't want to bring in politics like South or North. My position was to be the representative of the Japanese dojo." During this period, his sister, Naomi, who had studied at Musashino Academia Musicae Affiliated High School and gone on to Kunitachi College of Music, pursued studies in Vienna.
4. Leadership of Kyokushinkaikan
After retiring from competition, Shokei Matsui transitioned to a leadership role within the Kyokushinkaikan, a period marked by significant organizational changes, legal challenges, and efforts to expand the influence of full-contact karate.
Upon retiring from active competition, Matsui was introduced to Hideo Nakamura, the head of Karate-do Kendo-kai, by Hatsuo Royama. Subsequently, he became a disciple of Kunio Fukumoto, an art dealer and a fixer for the Liberal Democratic Party, introduced by Young-jung Huh, then president of Kyokushinkaikan Kansai Honbu and chairman of Cosmo Tiger Corporation Chyoyokai (CTC). Under Fukumoto's guidance, Matsui served as an assistant, researching and writing, frequenting the National Diet Library and bookstores, and hosting politicians, bureaucrats, and business leaders who visited Fukumoto's office.
4.1. Oyama's Succession and Organizational Splits
Matsui returned to the Kyokushinkaikan in 1991, establishing the Honbu-affiliated Asakusa Dojo, with Nobuyuki Kamio and Kazuyoshi Murakoshi as instructors. In 1993, he was appointed chairman of the Second New Kaikan Construction Committee.
Mas Oyama died on April 26, 1994, from lung cancer. A "crisis will" was reportedly created by five individuals-Yoshiaki Umeda, Akira Kurosawa, Yasuto Onishi, Hitoshi Yonezu, and Takao Yonezu-at St. Luke's International Hospital, designating Matsui as Oyama's successor. However, Oyama's family disputed the authenticity of the will and filed a lawsuit, resulting in a Tokyo District Court ruling that invalidated the will. This dispute ignited a major schism within the Kyokushinkaikan, leading to the proliferation of numerous organizations claiming to represent "Kyokushin Karate," including groups led by Kenji Midori and Yoshikazu Matsushima.
Furthermore, Matsui pursued the commercial registration of the "International Karate Organization Kyokushinkaikan" name under his personal name, Moon Jang-gyu, rather than establishing it as a public interest incorporated foundation. This led to the creation of "International Karate Organization Kyokushinkaikan Inc." This trademark registration became a point of contention in lawsuits with other splinter factions of Kyokushin, ultimately resulting in the trademark being transferred to the Oyama family's ownership between 2009 and 2010.
On April 5, 1995, the Branch Chief Council faction, led by Keiji Sanpei, proposed a motion to dismiss Matsui as Kancho at a national branch chief meeting, causing a further split (leading to the formation of Shin Kyokushinkai among others). In response, Matsui's faction established a new operational structure with a unified headquarters. Masatoshi Yamada was appointed as the head of the headquarters, Shiki Hamai as deputy head, and Yuzo Goda as the supreme advisor, with Hatsuo Royama providing assistance.
4.2. Organizational Management and Key Initiatives
In 1996, Matsui engaged in discussions with Fumio Demiya of Fuji Television and Seidokaikan's Kazuyoshi Ishii regarding participation in K-1. An agreement was reached for the Kyokushinkaikan to send its fighter, Francisco Filho, to compete in K-1 events. In 1998, Matsui formally began training in Daitō-ryū Aiki-jūjutsu, inspired by Tatsuo Kimura's book. He was awarded the 2nd dan in Daito-ryu Aiki-jujutsu in 2004.
In October 2005, Matsui opened "Ichigeki PLAZA" in Ebisu, Shibuya, Tokyo. This facility operated for approximately ten years before ceasing operations in 2015. In August 2015, it was relaunched and rebranded as "Flux Conditionings" in Daikanyama-chō, offering a new complex training gym concept.
4.3. Inter-organizational Relations and Cooperation
On April 16, 2015, at the Japan Karate-do Kaikan in Kōtō, Tokyo, a memorandum of understanding was signed between the Japan Karatedo Federation (JKF) and the International Karate Organization Kyokushinkaikan. This agreement established a friendly organizational relationship aimed at supporting the official adoption of karate as an event in the 2020 Summer Olympics. On September 25 of the same year, the Kyokushinkaikan officially announced its support for the JKF's efforts to include karate in the Tokyo Olympics. This involved forming cooperative relationships with six other full-contact karate organizations, signaling a unified front to elevate the social standing of karate.
4.4. Name Change
On January 15, 2016, his birthday, Shokei Matsui officially changed the kanji character of his activity name from `圭` (Kei) to `奎` (Kei). The new character, `奎`, incorporates the kanji `大` (Dai), which was part of Mas Oyama's name (大山 - Oyama, literally "Great Mountain"). This change was symbolic, signifying his intention to carry on Mas Oyama's legacy.
4.5. Financial and Legal Issues
In November 2011, the Nikkei Shimbun reported that the Tokyo Regional Taxation Bureau had assessed approximately 30.00 B JPY in additional taxes, including underreporting penalties, against Shokei Matsui. This was related to an acquisition by the former Goodwill Group, a major staffing company, where the success fees received by Matsui were incorrectly categorized for tax purposes.
In May 2023, the Tokyo Labor Bureau's Employment Security Department publicly announced that the gym operated by Matsui had fraudulently received employment adjustment subsidies and emergency employment stabilization subsidies. The gym was found to have created false application documents, claiming to have implemented休業 (business closures) due to the COVID-19 pandemic when no such closures had occurred. The amount fraudulently received totaled 31.46 M JPY in employment adjustment subsidies and 278.00 K JPY in emergency employment stabilization subsidies. It was noted that the full amount had already been repaid at the time of the announcement.
5. Philosophy
Shokei Matsui's martial arts philosophy is deeply rooted in the principles of Kyokushin karate, emphasizing rigorous training and character development. Throughout his active competitive career, Matsui was known for his mastery of awase waza (combination techniques), jodan mawashi geri (high roundhouse kicks), and ushiro mawashi geri (spinning back kicks). Mas Oyama himself held Matsui in exceptionally high regard, stating that he was "a person who appears once every 30, 50, or half a century."
Isao Harimoto, a prominent baseball player, assessed Matsui positively, stating, "Throughout his active career, he proudly revealed his ethnicity and was active, and now, as the director of Kyokushinkaikan, his social significance in teaching Japanese people the importance of manners and filial piety, which they are losing, is great."
6. Works
Shokei Matsui has authored several books and is the subject of a biography:
- Kyokushin Karate: Waga Nensho no Toki (極真カラテ 我が燃焼の瞬間, Kyokushin Karate: My Moment of Burning) (Ikeda Shoten, December 1991)
- Dotai Shisei (動体姿勢, Dynamic Posture) (co-authored with Satoru Yamane, Baseball Magazine Sha, April 1997)
- Kyokushin Aratanaru Ayumi (極真新たなる歩み, Kyokushin: A New Path) (Piiplusha, December 1998)
- Ichigeki no Ken Shokei Matsui (一撃の拳 松井章圭, The Fist of One Strike: Shokei Matsui) (written by Futoshi Kitano, Kodansha, April 2005)
7. Assessment and Legacy
Shokei Matsui's legacy is a complex interplay of his remarkable achievements in karate, his leadership of a major martial arts organization, and the controversies that have surrounded his tenure, particularly those concerning organizational governance and financial transparency.
7.1. Positive Appraisals
Matsui is widely appraised for his exceptional martial arts skills and dedication. Mas Oyama's high praise, describing him as a once-in-a-half-century talent, highlights his extraordinary fighting prowess and potential. His achievement of the 100-man kumite at a relatively young age cemented his status as a legendary figure within Kyokushin karate. Beyond his physical feats, figures like Isao Harimoto have commended Matsui for openly embracing his Zainichi Korean identity while contributing significantly to Japanese society by promoting traditional values such as etiquette and filial piety, which are seen as increasingly vital. His efforts alongside Mas Oyama and Hatsuo Royama are recognized for contributing to the widespread popularization of Kyokushin karate in Japan.
7.2. Criticisms and Controversies
Despite his accomplishments, Matsui's leadership has faced significant criticism and controversy. Following Mas Oyama's death, the validity of a will designating Matsui as successor was legally challenged and ultimately invalidated by the Tokyo District Court, leading to widespread organizational fragmentation within Kyokushin karate. This period saw the emergence of various splinter groups, challenging Matsui's authority and control over the organization.
A major point of contention was Matsui's decision to register the "International Karate Organization Kyokushinkaikan" trademark under his personal name, rather than as a public foundation. This move, which led to protracted legal battles, resulted in the trademark eventually being transferred to the Oyama family, highlighting disputes over the legitimate succession and control of Kyokushin's heritage.
Furthermore, Matsui has faced scrutiny over financial and legal matters. In 2011, he was reportedly assessed a substantial amount in additional taxes, including penalties for miscategorized income related to a corporate acquisition. More recently, in 2023, his gym was publicly identified by the Tokyo Labor Bureau for fraudulently receiving government employment subsidies during the COVID-19 pandemic by submitting false claims of business closures. While the full amount was reportedly repaid, these incidents have raised questions regarding financial transparency and ethical conduct in his management roles.
8. Tournament Record
| Year | Tournament | Result |
|---|---|---|
| 1980 | 12th All Japan Open Karate Championships | 4th Place |
| 1981 | 13th All Japan Open Karate Championships | 3rd Place |
| 1982 | 14th All Japan Open Karate Championships | 3rd Place |
| 1983 | 15th All Japan Open Karate Championships | 8th Place |
| 1984 | 3rd World Open Karate Tournament | 3rd Place |
| 1985 | 17th All Japan Open Karate Championships | 1st Place |
| 1986 | 18th All Japan Open Karate Championships | 1st Place |
| 1987 | 4th World Open Karate Tournament | 1st Place |