Kyokushin is if not all so at least a lot, about short distances, long striking combinations without pause, and of course every punch as hard as possible.
The shotokan guys we have had in our dojo has always found this change very hard. Deny them the long range, single technique sniping, by moving in and crowding them, and they are a fish on dry land.
The big mitt is a valuable tool in overcoming the tendency to stay at range and throw single techniques. It is also good physical training.
Frankly, clever punch/kick combinations is less important than the "punch your way forward until you are ready to drop from exhaustion -then punch some more" training if you want to get into the "kyokushin training methods".
I know this is a bit of topic - but had to mention it because I feel pretty strongly about it.
This is precisely what I don't like about modern knockdown karate or Kyokushin (in bold red) - it's become less of a technical battle. a battle of skill if you will and more a battle of who's tougher or more physical - hence the mentality nowadays of "punch your way forward until you are ready to drop from exhaustion -then punch some more" instead of 'hit and avoid getting hit.'
It's become the standard generic footprint for modern knockdown karate and what's put me off potentially competing in it at some point. There are some guys in modern knockdown who are the exception of course, but for the most part it's become the standard.
It's the drift away from clever punch/kick combinations, or using superior positioning/angles & points of entry to spamming him with strikes until you drop him or using your physicality to beat the opponent.
80's & 90's Knockdown karate was exactly the opposite of what we have today, all about technical skill and not relying on your physique but on your martial skill, more emphasis was made on 'clever kick/punch combinations' than 'punching forward till exhaustion than punching some more.'
Just compare the strike shield work (big mitt) video posted of modern knockdown karate & compare it to Hajime Kazumi's strike shield work in the 90's - huge difference:
You can see the difference between the two videos of strike shield work (this one from the 90's and the one you posted above of recent times) - the one above focusing more on rhythmic 'clever punch/kick combinations' and basic fundamentals (i.e. beat him with strategy/smart fighting not size) whereas the modern one focusing more on 'keep hitting him till your exhausted and then hit him some more' (i.e. beat him by being more physical/tougher).
It's just not with strike shield work - you can see the changes in knockdown tournaments, just watch the 10th open weight tournament final (tariel vs Ewerton) and compare it to the 6th world open weight tournament final (Yamaki vs Kazumi) - you'll see what I'm saying as clear as day - different mentality/approach.
That 80's/90's approach to Kyokushin is what I fell in love with and it's sad to see the change or drift away from the more intelligent approach.