Soshu Shigeru Oyama (July 7, 1936 to February 14, 2016) was a giant of the martial arts world who was most famous for completing 100-kumite, empty-handed sword defense and for unparalleled teaching skills. Although he wrote books on the practice of karatedo, until now, there was no definitive statement of his karatedo philosophy, his reflections on his childhood during World War II, the circumstances surrounding his departure from Kyokushinkai-kan or his career in the U.S. In the last six months of life, he worked tirelessly with Shihan Richard Romero to create his final work because he was extremely eager to share his thoughts on these topics. Soshu passed away before the book was finished. So, Romero completed the book on his own. “I am delighted that Shihan Romero has fulfilled my husband’s wish that this book be published because it encapsulates his last thoughts on karatedo and his hopes for the future of this art form.” - Mrs. Shigeru Oyama.