Dojo crest and name
Some people ask about the badge on the uniform and the different marks used on the site. This page explains what they represent – and what they don’t.
These symbols are about shared training culture and responsibility. They are not rank markers.
The Shuri Dojo crest represents shared principles rather than authority. Wearing it does not imply mastery, seniority, or permission to instruct others. It identifies membership, affiliation, and a commitment to train with care and honesty.
The badge isn’t a reward – it’s a reminder.
If you’re not interested in symbols, you can ignore this page completely. If you are, here’s what you’re looking at.
Keiko-gi badge (uniform patch)
This is the patch worn on the uniform. It combines Okinawan references with simple reminders about method and practice.
The kanji at the top reads ‘Ryukyu Karate Kobudo’ – a plain statement of roots (Okinawa) and heritage. The lower text is the dojo name.
The important point is not the artwork – it’s what it’s meant to cue: training should be deliberate, practical, and grounded in responsibility.
Hidari-gomon (mitsudomoe)
The red mitsudomoe (also called hidari-gomon) is a symbol found in Okinawan history and culture. We use it as a nod to Ryukyu/Okinawa – a signpost back to origin.
It isn’t used here as a claim of status.
Elements inside the badge
A few details matter because they point to influences behind how we train – not because anyone needs to memorise a “meaning” like a museum label.
The circle references an ensō – used here as a simple reminder of continuity and return: fundamentals revisited under changing conditions. (No mysticism intended – just a training cue.)
The fist appears as a straightforward acknowledgement of influence. It is also used on Tamaki Katsumi sensei’s Shinjin-Ryu Okinawa-Te mark.
The vines represent long-term progress through repetition and study – again, a motif also seen on Tamaki sensei’s mark. If training isn’t sustained, it doesn’t last.
The crossed sai reference Okinawan weapon heritage and our connection to Ryukyu Kobudo Tesshinkan through Hidemi Tamayose sensei. It’s part of the wider context the dojo comes from.
The Shuhaku-den mark
This mark identifies the descriptive name we use for our approach: Ryukyu Karate Jutsu – Shuhaku-den. It is not an organisational badge and not a separate ‘style’.
‘Shuhaku-den’ is a name offered to us by Tamaki Katsumi sensei. We use it as a marker of influence and transmission. The imagery (rising sun and crane) is a reminder of renewal, perseverance, and long-term practice – show up, train honestly, keep what works.
Why “Shuri”?
Shuri is historically associated with Okinawan karate and older methods on the island. We use the name as a plain statement of orientation – Okinawan roots and an old-school emphasis on usefulness.
In practice, that means careful instruction, deliberate repetition, and a lot of two-person study. Kata are used as a mnemonic and reference for those drills – not as a performance goal in themselves.
Interested in training?
If the overall approach fits what you’re looking for, use the contact form to introduce yourself.
Go to the contact form