More links
Back to Introduction
Kempo and Kenpo
History
Philosophy
Principles
Organizations - In Japan
Organizations - Rest of the World
Emblems
Different Nippon Kempo emblems
The traditional Nippon Kempo emblem is the stylized representation of four shields and four spears surrounding one red circle. The red circle, quite obviously, symbolizes the flag of Japan - but it also represents peace, harmony, perfection, eternity, and completeness. The 4 shields symbolize "defense", the 4 spears symbolize "attack". The emblem has been adopted by the Japanese organization Nippon Kempo KYOKAY.
The Japanese organization Nippon Kempo KAI adopted an emblem that is the visual representation of Nippon Kempo's philosophy - a circle surrounded by eight small circles - each circle representing mind, body, spirit, power, technique, skill, way, rules (see Nippon Kempo - Philosophy). We have been informed that, apparently, the American Nippon Kempo Association has officially adopted and promotes the used of this emblem.
And to make things even more interesting and complicated, the Japanese organization Nippon Kempo RENMEI introduced a new stylish emblem, which well represents the concept of Nippon Kempo seen more as a modern combat sport than a traditional martial art. The RENMEI emblem has been officially adopted by the AINK (Associazione Italiana Nippon Kempo), by the ANKF (Association Nippon Kempo France), by the ANK (UK Association Of Nippon Kempo). It has also been officially adopted by the Federation of European Nippon Kempo Associations (FENKA - founded in 1998 by the Italian, UK, and French associations).
