The Kofukan logo combines three swords and a circle.
Swords have special meaning in Japanese society. During the samurai era, samurai were the ruling class. A samurai sword was said to the ‘soul of a samurai’ it represented a code of honour.
The samurai sword represents ‘spiritual purity’. Its mirror like surface reflects one’s weak mind and improper thoughts. Its razor sharp blade will cut them away. Many Shinto shrines have swords as their treasure.
The three swords in the logo represent the ‘shin’ (Mind) ‘Gi’ (technique) and ‘tai’ (body). These are the three main purposes of martial arts training. Through practice, a martial artist should develop a ‘strong body’, ‘correct techniques’ and ‘correct attitude’ and hopefully attain a high level of spiritual achievement.
The circle represents ‘harmony’ and ‘perfection’. These three aspects should develop in 
harmony and into perfection. In the design, the circle of harmony joins the three principles together.
So the Kofukan logo represents the purpose of martial arts training in general and of karate study within our association in particular.
The three Japanese letters within the circle mean ‘Kofukan’ the two larger letters at either side of the circle read ‘shito’ (our style). Also the area inside the circle represents the lower abdomen (tanden) as the linking point of the three aspects that is mind, body and technique.
We chose the colours black and yellow gold for our association badges as they are the colours of the tiger and in order to make a link with the name of Kofukan, which literally means ‘tiger, wind, establishment.
The Meaning of KOFUKAN
- Ko – is the tiger
- Fu – is the wind
- Kan- establishment, group or organization
According to Chinese legend the king of the sky is the dragon and the king of the land is the tiger and when the tiger appears the wind blows and when the dragon appears so do the clouds.
KARATE FOR LIFE 