The Code of Isshinryu Karate
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A person’s heart is the same as Heaven and Earth.
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The Blood circulating is similar to the Moon and the Sun
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A manner of drinking and spitting is either hard or soft
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A person’s unbalance is the same as a weight
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The body should be able to change direction at any time
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The time to strike is when opportunity presents itself
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The eye must see all sides
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The ear must listen in all directions
Mitzugami
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Soke Tatsuo Shimabuku had a vision of which Mitzugami represents. The patch represents the characteristic vertical fist of Isshinryu. The border of the patch is typically orange and represents a ring of fire that appeared in Shimabuku's vision. The Mitzugami is simply translated as "water goddess." Megami, for short, is allegedly a mother protecting her child; she is gentle like a mother, but fierce and threatening towards enemies who may harm her child. The goddess with a raised right fist and a lowered open palm. This is often explained as "I come in peace, but I'll defend myself if necessary." The small dragon above the goddess is a sea dragon of Asian mythology, which was born at the bottom of the sea, but transformed by ascending to the heavens. The dragon is thought to represent Master Shimabuku. The rough seas and grey background depict a terrible typhoon, which represents the uncertainty of the future, and how trouble may arise spontaneously at any time. In relation to that, her calm face indicates that one must remain level-headed and calm in the face of adversity. Finally, the three stars at the top of the patch represent the three tenets of Isshinryu: the spiritual, the mental, and the physical.
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