Meaning of our Kanji

志 道 館 "Shidokan"

The word "Shidokan" consists of three Kanji (Chinese characters).

Shi' (志) means will or resolution as noun, and it also means to aspire to something, as a verb.' Do' the same character as Do (道) in Kendo, literally means road, but it also means way or path along which one proceeds all one's life. 'Kan' (館) originally means a hall and is a general term for a gym.

Therefore, when all three are combined, it means "a hall for all who aspires to take the path".

Our Kokorozashi

"The heart beneath the warrior"

The Character used to symbolize Shidokan ( 志 ), is a compound Chinese character. The Meaning: 1. “Kokorozashi” is commonly translated as: will, intention, purpose or ambition. 2. The fundamental sincere disposition of one’s will and longing to find truth and enlightenment.

Where does the idea come from?

The top character by itself is 士 and means warrior or knight. The bottom character 心, is for heart/mind/spirit. The heart beneath the warrior.

The samurai sword is designed with a soft core inside and a very hard external layer; the student must strive to achieve this perfect balance in training and in life. A determined warrior with a kind soul. The one who chooses to follow the path shall never forget this principle.