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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
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- 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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