The Koshin-ha Chito-ryu Karate-do Crest

History of the Crest

The original design for the Koshin-ha Chito-ryu crest comes from the All Japan Karate-do Federation (Zen Nihon Karate-do Renmei) which was headed by Toyama Kanken and, Chito-ryu Founder, Tsuyoshi Chitose. The original crest was designed to be used by all members of the Federation with each group placing their own insignia or kanji in the center. It was the winning entry in a contest to design a crest for the Federation and it was designed by one of Koyasu Micho's students.

Clasping Hands in Circle: The fingers clasping hands in a circle representative of the way of Karate. Many eastern philosophies professes the belief in life as a continuity or a continual flow, as seen in the mathematical symbol, the circle, a line without a beginning or ending. Within that circle lie two hands clasping in opposition. Where one ends, the other begins, continuously chasing each other year after year. The seasons are an example of contrast. Karate can also be like the seasons, hard and direct, soft and circular. It takes these two contrasting feelings to make a whole and, in the same way, Karate requires a person to be hard and direct, soft and circular. Only when a student has mastered these elements does he really know the true way of Karate.

Two Crests

The Koshin-ha Chito-kai utilizes two separate crests for members of varrying rank in the Association. The red and white crest is for all members under and including the rank of Yondan (4th degree Black belt). Members who achieve the rank of Godan (5th degree Black belt) wear the crest with the gold kanji in the center. This delineates senior ranking Yudansha who, achieving Godan, are now officially recognized as members of the Shihan-kai.

Crest used for students Yondan and below.	Crest used for Shihan-kai members.