This is a question I pose, and I do not propose to have the answer.
When Sosai Mas Oyama created Kyokushin, he created it to be the ultimate martial art at its time, combining the base he had in Judo, Shotokan, Goju-ryu, and Taikiken.
Kyokushin was built on hard practice, strengthening the mind and body, through perseverance, with a foundation of Kihon, Kumite, and Kata.
I know many argue that Kata is useless, that the only way it can work is with diligent practice and breakdown of the bunkai, or application, and even then the jury is out on its effectiveness. However, it also imparts the practice of proper form, transitioning, and distribution of power through torque and hip movement. It teaches Kime and focuses. It has many attributes that improve martial artists.
It is true you can be a fantastic fighter without a kata. Look at Kickboxing as a prime example, but it isn’t Kyokushin. Though much of modern kickboxing (Dutch style, K1) was built with Kyokushin principles and foundation.
However, there is a movement in certain areas and organizations to remove Kihon and Kata training from Kyokushin altogether, or not practice it or use it as a grading requirement. There are high-ranking black belts in Kyokushin who do not know basic Kyokushin kata. Are they still Kyokushin?
Historically, all the great Kyokushin champions knew and practiced kata, Matsui, Midori, Kazumi, Filho, etc, and they continue to teach and practice Kata today. But it seems sometime after the passing of Sosai, kata practice in some groups and areas fell out of practice, with the focus on fighting.
Sure, they can be fantastic fighters, but are they Kyokushin? What constitutes Kyokushin? Is Kyokushin only a philosophy, or is it also an amalgamation of the physical components of Kihon, Kata, and Kumite? Or both physical and philosophical?
What would Sosai Mas Oyama say about the situation if he were still alive?
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