The kanji (Japanese characters) calligraphy, worn universally on the front left of the (uniform) Gi, simply means "Kyokushinkai", which is the name given by Sosai Mas. Oyama to the Karate style he created. It means the society of the Ultimate Truth. Originally there was no name for the style, it was simply; Oyama Dojo, but with the growth of the style he created it became necessary to give the style which had become unique at this time, an official name.
Sosai Oyama chose Ultimate Truth. This was taken from the writings of his hero, the Samurai; Miyamoto Musashi in The Book of Five Rings. Sosai had read this book and it inspired him to train in the mountains like his hero before him, to develop his karate which would become Kyokushinkai.
The design of the kanji was done with Oyamas wife and is representative of a sheathed Samurai sword, in honour of Musashi. It is composed of three characters:
Kyoku: Meaning "Ultimate"
Shin: Meaning "Truth"
Kai: Meaning "Society"
The Kudo Kanji.
Some of our students wear the KUDO Kanji in place of the Kyokshin Kanji above, to find out the meaning of KUDO click here.
The Kyokushin Kanku.
The symbol of Kyokushin Karate is the Kanku, shown in the badge worn by many Kyokushin groups at the top of the left sleeve of the (uniform) Gi, which is derived from Kanku Dai Kata, the Sky Gazing form.
In this Kata, the hands are raised and the fingers meet to form an opening through which the sky is viewed. The top and bottom points of the Kanku represent the first fingers of each hand touching at the top and the thumbs touching at the bottom, symbolising the peaks or ultimate points. The thick sections at the sides represent the wrists, symbolising power. The centre circle represents the opening between the hands through which the sky is viewed, symbolising infinite depth. The whole Kanku is enclosed by a circle, symbolising continuity and circular action.
Elite Fighting Arts, Dojo Badge.
Our Dojo badge - We have two versions of our badge, as depicted in this section, worn on the left arm. The badge is earned at 5th Kyu (Yellow Belt), representing the halfway mark, on the journey to Blackbelt. Both are used within our Dojos and both created using the same themes as described. In the centre a hybrid; a winged lion (Simorgh) or Persian Griffin the protector; symbolic of purity & truth, this has been selected due to its deep meaning and a nod to Sensei Omids paternal heritage, it is seen here bathed and reaching out to the Japanese rising sun.
Historically the Simorgh or Persian Griffin is of special significance, also named Saena or Senmurw. Much like the Welsh Gryphon, or Greek counterpart the Chimera, this Hybrid winged lion in Persian and ancient Aryan legends is considered so old that it has seen the destruction of the world 3 times over. The Simorgh learned so much by living so long that it is thought to possess the knowledge of all the ages. In one legend, the Simorgh was said to live 1,700 years before plunging itself into flames before arising again (like the Phoenix) a symbol of rebirth, truth & purity.
Simorgh is the most commonly used name for this creature, taken from early literature (meaning thirty birds) from the Persian poet Farid u-din Attar & the works; Conference of the Birds.
The story recount the longing of a group of birds who search for a leader. They decide on the Simorgh & go on a journey to find it. They journey over 7 valleys, each representing 1 stage of attainment to wholeness.
One by one the birds drop out, unable to fulfill the changing journey. Eventually only 30 birds reach the land of the Simorgh but instead of finding their spiritual leader, they discover a lake & in it their own reflection. It is then that the remaining few realise that they are not separate from the universe, but are at one with it. In this realisation they discover the Ultimate Truth to enlightenment & balance in all things, is in fact found within.
Similarly, in Japanese mythology, the Shishi, or Chinese counterpart Fu Dog, is synonymous with furious protection and has been used often seen outside temples.
We sometimes use just the round emblem, or Mon in Japanese, when seen like this we refer to it as the Shishi no Maki, or Rolling Lion, similar to the Shotokan Tiger; Tora no Maki. Or Shishi no Enso. Enso the incomplete circle, making up the wing of the lion and symbolising the ever continuation of training.
The Kanji (Japanese Written Characters) seen within the badge reads as:
Kyokushin Karate Do. The Ultimate True Karate Way. The original Karate kanji is used in Okinawa meaning Chinese Hand (To-De, or Toude) due to its link to White Crane Kung Fu systems (as described in the Bubishi often called the Bible of Karate origins) before the meaning of the Kanji was changed to the translation we know today as Empty Hand. This was done due to sensitive Japanese sentiment wanting to Nationalize the popularity of this rising sport/art on the mainland. The use of the older Kanji is also a nod to the Kanji used on the left breast by Tsuyoi-Ryu Karate, Sensei Omids original style. The Kanji: Do, means Way referring to the spiritual Budo (warrior) spiritual and fighting style emphasized by our Dojo, rather than pure sport Karate systems. Since the inclusion of our Kudo program we now also include Ku-Do and Jutsu (meaning method) referencing the applied practical style. The Kanji reading: Kyokushin Kudo Toude Jutsu
Included within the design is a brush painted open circle (Enso) representing the pursuit of perfection. Also, from the logo of our sister company, Prestige Martial Arts Suppliers - Knockdown Elite:www.knockdownelite.co.uk
The Enso. In Zen Buddhism this is a circle that is hand-drawn in an uninhibited brushstroke to express a moment when the mind is free to let the body create.
The Enso is symbolic of absolute strength, elegance, enlightenment, the universe, and mu (void). The circle may be open or closed. In the former case, as used by ourselves, the circle is incomplete, allowing for the movement and continual development, as well as the perfection of all things. Zen practitioners related the idea to the beauty of imperfection and continual development and evolution. These ideals form the fundamental principles of our Dojo. The badge should therefore be worn with great pride.
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Kyokushin Academy
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Felen Rhyd Fawr
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LL41 4HY
07830 262709
info@kyokuacademy.co.uk