The Meaning Behind Our Dojo’s Crest We are excited to announce our dojo's rebrand for 2025 and would like to take the opportunity to talk about the crest featured in its design. This crest is a meaningful representation of the principles, traditions, and local roots that define our martial arts school. This design features elements that are deeply symbolic, tying together the essence of our training philosophies, and our connection to North Carolina. Let’s explore the layers of meaning behind this logo. The Kamon Design At the heart of the logo is a Japanese-style family crest, known as a Kamon. In Japanese culture, Kamon are used to symbolize family lineage, identity, and values. Our version incorporates two key elements: the dogwood flower and the “Nin” kanji (忍). The Dogwood Flower The dogwood flower holds a special place in our hearts and was an intentional choice for its rich significance: Connection to North Carolina: The dogwood is the state flower of North Carolina, where our dojo has thrived for nearly three decades. It’s presence in our logo pays homage to our local roots and the community that has supported us. Symbol of Taijutsu Movement: The dogwood’s four petals symbolize the foundational elements of movement in Taijutsu: Stability: The grounding force that anchors our techniques. Mobility: The ability to transition smoothly between positions. Momentum: Harnessing dynamic energy to execute techniques effectively. Freedom: The adaptability to respond to any challenge. This alignment of natural beauty and martial arts principles makes the dogwood an ideal emblem for our school. The "Nin" Kanji Prominently displayed in the center of the Kamon is the kanji for "Nin" (忍), which translates to "perseverance" or "endurance." Martial Arts Philosophy: Perseverance is a cornerstone of martial arts training. The journey to mastery is long and challenging, requiring unwavering dedication, resilience, and patience. Never stop never stopping! Rooted in To-Shin Do: The choice of “Nin” also reflects our connection to To-Shin Do, the self-defense system rooted in traditional ninjutsu and classical Japanese Budo. This character embodies the mindset we cultivate—the strength to turn obstacles into opportunities and remain committed to growth. Success in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu: Perseverance and endurance are particularly vital in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. Progress in this art requires consistent effort, a willingness to embrace challenges, and the mental and physical stamina to persist through difficult training sessions and competitions. Our logo serves as a reminder of the value of sticking with the process, even when it feels daunting. In Jiu-Jitsu, as in life, it is perseverance that leads to breakthroughs and success. Honoring An-Shu Stephen K. Hayes The overall design of our logo is meant to pay homage to our teacher An-Shu Stephen K. Hayes. As our To-Shin Do and mindfulness mentor for almost three decades, An-Shu Hayes has had an immeasurable impact on our personal and professional journey. His guidance, wisdom, and instruction have shaped our dojo’s mission and vision from day one. I am incredibly grateful for his influence and look forward to carrying his vision into the future. The Colors: Red and Black Our dojo has proudly embraced red and black as our signature colors since the very beginning. These colors symbolize: Strength and Passion: The boldness of red represents the energy and intensity we bring to our training, while black signifies discipline, focus, and tradition. Continuity: By maintaining our original color scheme, we honor our dojo’s history while moving confidently into the future. A Crest to Inspire Every element of our new logo serves as a visual reminder of who we are and what we stand for. It encapsulates the values we strive to instill in every student—stability, mobility, momentum, freedom, perseverance, and a connection to community and tradition. We hope that this logo inspires everyone who trains with us to embrace these principles and continue their journey with pride and purpose. Thank you for being part of our dojo family as we celebrate this new chapter. Let us continue to persevere, train, and grow together.
