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OVER
YOUR HEART
The dojo
crest
It is normally the custom
in a karate dojo for a "dojo crest" to be worn
on the upper left side of a students gi.
This crest can vary in size
and in shape, but within the body of this crest you are
likely to find a number of images, symbols, shapes,
words, colors, kanji, or other characteristics which when
combined together are meant to form a visual
representation of the unique beliefs and ideals of that
particular organization.
The dojo crest may be
singularly unique representing only a single dojo with
less than a twenty students. On the other hand it may
signify a much larger organization headed by a Shihan (Master)
with a Honbu dojo (main dojo) and affiliate dojos around
the world. In which case the crest will be recognized
world wide as representing an organization whose
enrolment through it's affiliated dojo's could easily
number into the tens of thousands.
Regardless of affiliation
or style the dojo crest representing the organization to
which a student belongs and any symbolism contained
within the crest should alway be a source of pride for
all of the student associated with that organization. By
wearing your dojo crest on the left side of your gi and
over your heart you like many others validate that belief.
- For more than 30 years I
have practiced the art of Shotokan karate, and in that
time I have had the great pleasure of training, and doing
seminars, with some of the best karate teachers in the
world such as:
-
- - Shihan Kenneth Funakoshi,
9th Dan, Founder and Chief Instructor of the Funakoshi
Shotokan Karate Association (FSKA)
-
- - Kancho Hirokazu Kanazawa,
10th Dan, Founder and Chief Instructor of the Shotokan
Karate-do International Federation (SKIF)
-
- - Sensei Hidemi Tamayose,
Kyoshi, 9th Dan, Founder and President of the Ryukyu
Kobudo Tesshinkan
-
- - Sensei Richard Kim, 10th
Dan, Hanshi, of the Zen Bei Butoku-kai & the Dai
Nippon Butoku-kai
-
- - Sensei Hidetaka
Nishiyama, 9th Dan, Chairman of the International
Traditional Karate Federation (ITKF)
-
- - Sensei Meitatsu Yagi, 10th
Dan, Hanshi, President of the International Meibu-kai
-
- In every case all of these
great Masters wore their crest with pride and in doing so
they too were showing honour and respect for the history,
traditions, and values of their dojo and their
organization.
-
- So do likewise, wear your
dojo's crest with pride and help to keep alive another of
the fine traditions that make any style of karate an art
form to respected the world over.
-
- Remember
- There is no
end to karate training,
- there is
always a higher level.
-
- Part the
clouds - see the way.
-
- "The
objective of karate-do is to contribute to the evolution
- of the
human spirit through physical and mental training."
- Sensei
Peter Lindsay
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