Badge Philosophies

Bushido Martial Arts

The Phoenix

The Phoenix represents the rebirth of our style rising from other styles. The Phoenix is looking upwards and to the right, symbolizing looking ahead to the future. Our style is constantly looking to evolve and adapt to better suit the needs of our students. The red to yellow colour of the Phoenix represents a flame. Fire is a powerful thing. It is true that it can be a deadly thing, however from ashes arises new life and new opportunities. Bushido Martial Arts is a new style, tempered in the flames of previous experience.

The External Ring

The external ring represents the cyclic nature of martial arts. A ring has no beginning or end. It is continuous, much like a martial artist’s journey. The martial artist is always learning, and constantly revisiting techniques and ideas to improve upon them.

The ring is blue to represent the sky. The sky is all-encompassing ether that surrounds our world. Similarly, the martial arts embrace us, not only in a physical way but also in every facet of life. Martial arts should not be thought of as learning to fight. Rather, it provides the opportunity to improve the student as a person - their knowledge, attitude, confidence, and fitness.

The Characters

The 3 characters, or kanji, are the Japanese representation of the word Bushido. Bushido means “Way of the Warrior”, which was the code of conduct of the Japanese samurai. The seven virtues of Bushido are loyalty, honour, respect, honesty, rectitude, benevolence and courage. Our style embraces these virtues in all aspects of our martial arts training, and as a result assists in the complete development of our students.

The Background

The background of the logo is a plain white space, representing a blank canvas on which to paint new ideas and values. It symbolizes that every person has the potential to learn new things, no matter how much knowledge or experience they already have.

The Overall Colours

The colours red, blue and yellow were chosen as the main colours for the badge for numerous reasons. They are the Primary colours, from which all other colours are formed. This is symbolic of the fact that very complex movements can be broken down into simple components, and learnt in that way.

These three colours are also the colours used by the Hudson Martial Arts group, at which all of the founding dojo instructors trained.

Carina Macolino - St Peters

The Dragon

The dragon represents power, courage and strong will. The Japanese culture views the dragon as a symbol of strength and hidden wisdom. Each person has the capacity to bestow knowledge upon another, no matter how old or experienced they are. Conversely, everyone has the potential to learn from every single person they meet, no matter what the circumstances. For example, even an instructor who has been training for many years has the capacity to learn from a student participating in his/her very first class, as long as the instructor is open and willing to learn. There is an infinite amount of knowledge to be learned not only within the martial arts but in the wider world. It therefore is our challenge to invest in our own growth and learning.

Dragons are mystical creatures, valued for their warlike qualities and perceived as noble defenders and protectors, much like martial artists. These are qualities which resonate with me and my martial journey, particularly as an instructor and in a position of leadership. Dragons, however, are also associated with evil, which reflects the duality of the human character. Every person has the potential to be ‘bad’ as well as ‘good’, to make negative choices as well as positive ones. It therefore takes courage to make moral decisions, to maintain a balance between the ‘forces of good and evil’, and to live a respectful, ethical life. It is a challenge to overcome temptations and to live a life reflecting the seven virtues of Bushido.

The dragon’s wings expand over the edge of the internal circle which represents their protective qualities. Protection in a martial sense can be interpreted as an instructor’s protection and guidance of his/her students and the protection and defence of the seven virtues of Bushido- loyalty, honour, respect, honesty, rectitude, benevolence and courage. The expanded wings also represent the dojo’s goal of ‘spreading the wings’ of its students through improved confidence, greater self-esteem, and increased opportunities and confidence to seek out one’s dreams and goals.

Like traditional Japanese images, the dragon is three-clawed. This represents the three aspects of martial arts- physical, mental and spiritual. Incorporating aspects of a traditional Japanese dragon signifies the origins of Bushido Martial Arts in Okinawa, Japan.

The Characters

The first two characters, or kanji, are the Japanese representation of the words ‘inner strength’. This can be interpreted as a constant strive for self improvement and inspiring oneself to do great things. The martial arts do not only build strength of character, but also reveals it through one’s attitude, perseverance and determination.

The second two kanji represent ‘courage and bravery’. Courage does not have to be demonstrated through heroic acts, but in choosing to do what is right rather than what is easy. Through training, one can learn how to have the courage to discover a sense of self and then aim to live one’s potential as a martial artist and a person of the wider community.

The last two kanji represent ‘honour’. This form of honour refers to being worthy of honour and having respect for one’s self as well as others, in other words, to live an honourable life, reflecting the seven virtues of Bushido.

The Colours

The combination of the black of the dragon and the white background represent Dominican values of knowledge, questioning, seeking out the truths in the world, and having faith in self. By discovering the truth about your potential, you are able to analyse yourself and set goals for self-improvement. To ask questions is sometimes more important that knowing the answers- it reflects a want for self improvement and discovery. It is the desire to learn that allows people to become better educated members of society, who are then able to contribute in a positive manner. Whether it is learning more about the challenges of those in your immediate environment or seeking out national or worldly issues, information and the pursuit of knowledge gives us the potential to make positive influences in the wider community, and gives us the drive to strive for improvement.

The blue colouring of the kanji is representational of perseverance in training, self improvement and goal achievement by discovering inner strength to overcome setbacks.

The yellow colouring of the internal and external circle symbolises hope and optimism for the future of the dojo and its students.

Victor Pisaniello - Croydon

Eagle

The eagle represents the Dojo Instructors’ Italian heritage. The eagle was the ancient roman symbol for the Roman Empire and is a symbol of power and strength. Power and strength are components of the martial arts that are emphasized in the Croydon dojo through fitness and strength training.

Mushin

The symbol on the right of the badge represents mushin which literally translates to ‘no mindedness’. It represents the ability to execute the martial arts without having to think or force it. With training, it is anticipated that when required, a technique or response will come naturally. This is the essence of speed in the martial arts. If a martial artist must think about a technique before execution, the technique becomes slow and loses effectiveness. Mushin is achieved when the martial artist is relaxed and peaceful, a state that can only come from training and confidence in one’s self.

Spirit

The Japanese symbol on the left of the badge represents spirit. The martial arts begin as a purely physical activity; kicking, blocking, punching and moving. After extensive training, the martial artist must learn that the martial arts are practised as much inside the body as they are outside the body. A martial artist must look inside himself to really grow. Muscles and technique mean nothing if the martial artist lacks the spirit to use the techniques. Spirit may be defined as a non-quantifiable substance or energy present in all living things. The spirit develops and grows as an integral aspect of the living being, and this growth is an important aspect of the martial arts. Thus, to truly master the martial arts, one must master himself first.

Roger Catchlove - St Peters

The Butterfly and the Irenic Warrior

The Essence of the Mon is that of the Tao (Chinese = the “way, path, discipline”) or Do (Japanese) of harmony expressed in the dualism (Ying and Yang) of life. In this case, that the hard and soft, the violent and gentle, can be mutually supporting while existing and flourishing, harmoniously in the one being.

This dualism is depicted by the image of an Australian Blue Ulysses Butterfly with a sword as its body and a spearheaded pommel as its head. The image symbolises the metamorphosis from an Irenic being (the peaceful Butterfly) to include an armed Warrior essence (evidenced by the sword/spear). The theme is rooted in the German word for Butterfly (Etymology - Schmetterling, n. Butterfly [G, f. “Schmetter” = Smash, destroy, throw down violently and “ling”, diminutive suffix])), where a violent word, with a slight change becomes an inoffensive joyful being.

The Australian Blue Ulysses (named after the mythical Greek wanderer and hero warrior from Homer’s Iliad, a poem dealing with the siege of Troy) continues the analogy of the dualism of soft and hard, while creating an Australian connection. The fact that it is named for a wandering warrior is also a metaphor for my life as a wanderer and embryonic warrior.

In the badge can be seen the thought of the possibility and existence of a Peaceful Warrior (Shizuka no Bushi) ethic. An ethic which abhors violence and despises those who try to dominate others, while having the knowledge, understanding and strength to protect themselves and others from the forces of violence and domination.

The essence of the badge is expressed in the statement that “the most important experiences a man can have are those that take him to the very limit; that is the only way we learn, because it requires all our courage. Only those who know those frontiers know life; everything else is just passing time, repeating the same life events, growing old and dying without ever having discovered what we are doing here.” (Marquis de Sade).

My Mon illustrates the results of the journey in following this exploratory path and how the martial Arts have provided a constant, which assists me to return from any diversionary and unexpected events.

The border of the Mon is a circle of 3 rings (black, red, black), representing the encompassing influences of the founders of the 2 free style Martial Arts that I have most practised and is the rim of the wheel of fate, symbolises the knowledge, experience and improvement that the martial artist endlessly seeks to pursue and achieve.

Schmetterling

The red word “Schmetterling” ((Etymology - Schmetterling, n. Butterfly [G, f. “Schmetter” = Smash, destroy, throw down violently. “ling”, diminutive suffix])) at the top centre of the Mon between the upper wings of the Butterfly, introduces the idea and importance, of the dualism of the hard and soft aspects of both the Art and of the practitioner, existing in the same body in cooperation. By using the German word with hard/soft implications (ie making a soft Butterfly out of a violent action), my initiating thought and my long involvement with the German culture – which has a strong Martial/Warrior element – is displayed.

The Silver Sword/Spear Butterfly Body and Head and Red Japanese Characters

A Silver Sword, with a bladed Spearhead, depicting a warrior’s weapons carried by the peaceful Butterfly form, together encapsulate the idea of a Peaceful Warrior, but also from its position, joins the German word Schmetterling and the red Japanese characters - Ookami karyuudo no musuko – Son of Wolf hunter. A connecting of my life’s theme with the martial aspects of my surname, Catchlove, which anglicised, is a translation from the French phrase, “Chasse Loupe, meaning “Hunter of Wolf.”

The Peaceful Element

The peaceful entity and pacifist way of life is symbolised by the inoffensive, gentle, winged Butterfly image. Also to be clearly seen in the armed Butterfly image is the inverted Y of the now, universal peace sign . The three stems of the peace sign also represent the sub themes of my Martial Arts Journey, being, my three beginnings, the three phases of development (Physical, Mental and Spiritual) and my three major learning’s, respect, not to judge others by their belt and humility. The three stems are also a metaphor for though life often takes me to a crossroads and offers other directions (the 2 branches). I then have to rely on returning to my central core tenets (the vertical stem) to maintain my progress in my Way.

The Wolf’s Head Crest

The albino Wolf’s Head, with flashing red eye and bared white teeth, on a Gules (red) background, representing my wolf hunting family background. The Gules shape, which can be seen as either a shield, or a stylised bell curve, shows with its outline, the process of moving from the ancient past to the way and the future and is represented in the archway surrounding the Wolf’s head.

The Red Dragon on an Octagon in a Circle

The black ringed border containing the Dragon is dissected to form a black ringed Octagon. The vectors of the Octagon represent the 8 tenets, which form the code of moral principles of the Bushido, the Way of the Warrior. Three of the dividing sectors, longer and thicker than the others, are coloured, and which, without the Red Dragon overlay, meet in the middle of the circle to form the modern peace symbol , thus portraying my preference for peace and non violence. In this object, with the Red Dragon sublimated over the peace symbol, the analogy of the dualism of peace and violence existing in the same object is poignantly repeated.

The Golden Bushido Cross

On the lower left wing of the Schmetterling is a Golden Bushido Cross representing the integrity of the Way of the Warrior, is the focus of the form and the arms separate the four phases of the journey along the Way of life.

The Pendant Golden Moon

Off centre to the right of the Spearhead is a not yet full, hanging pendant Golden Moon, showing that none of the processes of ceaseless striving are yet complete or finalised. Because of its asymmetrical position on the Mon, it also shows that this practitioner is not perfect, not entirely balanced and still has much work and learning to do so as to then be able to pass on these lessons.

Blending Thunder, Wolf and Butterfly

The idea, of the courage, strength, stamina and durability (all hard characteristics) of the gentle butterfly is beautifully expressed and extended in the Haiku.

Thunderclaps, and wolves run

from the destruction; but not

The Butterfly.

(Dai Sempai Adrian Cartland)

By their quietness they become Sages; by their movements, Warriors!

(Lao Tzu)