Last Updated on Saturday, 02 January 2010 21:20 Thursday, 02 December 2004 07:59

The Ishoa Cross is awarded to Black Belt female Zen Do Kai practitioners, find out why here.

The round cross was introduced initially to acknowledge the understanding and commitment of the wives and partners of the security personnel in Soke's protection business. Most of Soke's security staff worked long hours, often six nights a week. The women folk received the small circular cross which identified them as 'those who understood'. This cross was developed further during the seventies in Zen Do Kai and the word 'Ishoa' was engraved onto it. This means, literally, 'enlightenment', the perfect blending of mind and body.

The Ishoa Cross was awarded to the "Karate wives" to exemplify their understanding of the men folk training with Soke up to six nights a week. The wives and partners were proud to be acknowledged as members of the Zen Do Kai family. Soon the first wave of female Zen Do Kai students were also afforded acknowledgement as dedicated martial artists with the presentation of the Ishoa Cross. And, suddenly, this cross took on a new meaning. Its new reverence mirrored that of the Bushido Cross. It too, became a symbol of protection of the junior brothers and, now also, sisters, in the Zen Do Kai ranks.

Today, female Zen Do Kai practitioners are awarded this prestigious cross for their fierce determination in training, dedication and commitment to Zen Do Kai. Just as the awarding of the Bushido Cross is a privilege and honour to Zen Do Kai's male students, so too is the awarding of the Ishoa Cross to Zen Do Kai's female students. Both Crosses are held in identical regard and esteem and are often awarded together in official ZDK family ceremonies.

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