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The Mabuni Family Emblem
Kenwa & Kenei Mabuni
This emblem has been the family crest for many centuries. The circle can be interpreted as symbolizing peace and harmony (Wa), while the two inner vertical lines and two horizontal lines represent the Japanese caligraphy for the word 'person' or 'people'. The emblem therefore symbolizes 'people working in peace and harmony'.
Because Kenwa Mabuni sensei was greatly influenced by his two main teachers in the development of his Karate, he also included the interpretation of the interior lines to represent his two main teachers - ITOSU ANKO and HIGASHIONNA KANRYO.
The crest became synonymous with Kenwa Mabuni's Karate-do style (Shito-Ryu) and helped to identify it clearly.
References/Bibliography
Shito-ryu Open Cup Tournament Programme. Shin-Gi-Tai Karate-do Shito-ryu.
E.V.: Berlin, Germany. 1994.
Mabuni Kenei/Nakahashi Hidetoshi. Karate-do Shito-ryu. Paris, France:
SEDIREP, 1989.
Mabuni Kenei/Kassis Con. Shito-ryu Karate-do. Victoria, Australia: Dominie Press, 1997.
Moledzki Sam. Personal Data Archives.