Many of you have asked, “What is the meaning of the Kanji on our under rank certificates?” Well, just about everyone knows the kanji for Fist law, China (empty) hand method; Ch’uan Fa (Kempo) Karate, but many people have inquired about the writing in the border of our certificates.

A poem by the father of modern Karate, the founder of Shotokan Karate-Do; Gichin Funakoshi entitled “Karate-Do”, and in it he references the Taoist principle of “The Way”, something that has always intrigued me.

So here it is, with it’s English translation, enjoy!

Only one way to pass it on straight and well ladies and  gentlemen….

Get back on the mat.