We are excited to announce a new product in our plaque range - The Shotokan Tiger
The example above was a large custom plaque in Oak with script font in our standard black frame.
The back story to the Shotokan tiger.
The drawing was originally created by a Japanese man named Hoan Kusugi who was a friend and student of Funakoshi. Hoan Kosugi, a famous artist and president of the Tabata Poplar Club, an artist’ guild, was a little known but very important figure in the development of Shotokan Karate-do in Japan.
To entice Funakoshi, to write a book about Karate, Hoan Kosugi told Funakoshi that if he would write the book, Kosugi would design it and provide a painting for the cover. When Gichin Funakoshi produced the book, Hoan Kosugi produced the now famous Shotokan tiger.
His idea for the tiger came from the expression “Tora no maki.” Tora no maki, in Japanese tradition, is usually translated as “master scroll” or “master text.” It is the official written document on long scrolls of an art or system, which is used as the definitive reference source for that particular art. The picture of the tiger in the circle is a pun on the words “Tora no Maki”. Since “tora” also means “tiger”, … “Scroll of the Tiger”. Already by Funokoshi’s time, this practice had been long abandoned, but the name stuck.
Note - We also produce Mokuroku and Makki please click on the button below to view.
Since no books had ever been written about Karate, Hoan Kosugi told Funakoshi that his book was the Tora no maki, of Karate. He designed the tiger as a representation of Funakoshi’s art. The tiger in the traditional circular image is a traditional Chinese design that implies “the tiger never sleeps.” It symbolizes, therefore, the keen alertness of the wakeful tiger and serenity of the peaceful mind. Also the tiger drawn within a circle could be meant to show that the power of the tiger, like the power of Shotokan, is contained. It indicates that this power should never be used on a whim. The power is only unleashed, or broken from the circle, in order to defend ourselves or others who can’t defend themselves from a violent attack.
The kanji character up in the upper right corner of the circle is part of the artist’s name, Hoan Kusugi,
Presently, the Shotokan Karate is is synonymous with the tiger symbol and many Shotokan Karate clubs use as a symbol or logo for their dojo or association.
The Product.
The Plaques will be available in some of our standard sizes and also available, custom sized to your requirements.
You will be able to select from oak or maple boards and block or script fonts.
You will also be able to add text to either side of the tiger, we can translate club and association names as "added value"
If you are interested in commissioning a tiger just drop us an E Mail to sotosabisu@btinternet.com with details of what size you require and text and we can develop a draft graphic for your approval.
| The Shotokan Tiger |
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| Size | Cost |
| Small - 342 x 201 mm | £99.00 |
| Medium - 475 x 315 mm | £199.00 |
| Large - 786 x 636 mm | £289.00 |
| Custom - TBC mm | £TBC |
| Available in "Brush or Block" font |
| Oak or Maple board with Black kake (frame) |
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Free Postage to UK Non-premium Post Codes
for Small and Medium Only - Large and Specials £TBC |
Europe / Worldwide Postage
Small/£15 - Medium/£25 - Large & Specials / £TBC |
| Payments by BACS or Pay Pal at 5% Premium |
Current costings can be found in the relevant shop page please click on the button below to view.
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