"Do not move unless it is advantageous...

Do no execute unless it is effective...

Do not challenge unless it is critical..."

~ Sun Tzu

"Simplicity is the shortest distance between two points"

~ Bruce Lee

"Progress comes to those who train and train; reliance on secret techniques will get you nowhere."

~ Morihei Ueshiba

"Empty your mind, be formless. Shapeless, like water. If you put water into a cup, it becomes the cup. You put water into a bottle and it becomes the bottle. You put it in a teapot it becomes the teapot. Now, water can flow or it can crash. Be water my friend."

~ Bruce Lee

"To win one hundred victories in one hundred battles is not the highest skill. To subdue the enemy with out fighting is the highest skill."

~ Gichin Funakoshi

"When two tigers fight, one is certain to be maimed, and one to die."

~ Gichin Funakoshi

"The teaching of one virtous person can influence many. That which has been learned well by one generation can be passed onto a hundred ."

~ Jigoro Kano

"1-2 out of every 100 students reach Black Belt and of those only 1 out of every 1,000 achieves his 2nd Dan."

~ Masutatsu Oyama

Hand Symbols

In Kosho the left hand represents Spiritual and the right hand represents Physical. This plays a key role in the positioning of the hands in each posture. Each Hand Symbol has three different representations. These representations are very specifically ordered in the progression that the practitioner should use to resolve conflict with an opponent. If you look at the mon of Kosho you will also notice that a practitioner should start with the top symbol and work clockwise through the symbols using all the first representations first, then the second, and finally the third if necessary.

Kigan (Praying Hands)

First Representation: Right and left hands are placed together for peace and avoidance of conflict.
Second Representation: Escaping arts
Third Representation: Skeletal Striking

Kaishu (Open Hands)

First Representation: Right hand and the left hand are placed in the shape of mountain. Look for the good in people, as you would see a mountain from a distance, without flaws and imperfections.
Second Representation: Folding arts.
Third Representation: Internal Strikes.

Hoken (Covered Fist)

First Representation: The right hand is covered by the left hand. One should avoid conflict and hide his/her weapons.
Second Representation: Muscular strikes.
Third Representation: Total Domination.