Zen Do Kai - Zen Do Kai Crosses

Zen Do Kai Crosses

The Zen Do Kai Crosses are part the history of Zen Do Kai tradition, they are awarded to students through demonstration of loyalty, strength and dedication, whilst following the path of the warrior (around Black Belt skills). Only instructors who have been authorized to award Crosses may do so, sometimes requiring that an instructor have their instructor make the award of a Cross

The Cross is an important symbol of acceptance into the more senior levels of the Zen Do Kai family and exemplifies commitment to the protection and instruction of the brothers and sisters in the ranks of Zen Do Kai.

The Cross itself bears its origins in the country of Finland and it has been embellished with geometric shapes symbolic of Senjo battlefield strategy and the words Bushido, Ishoa, and Kyunnin.

These terms and the Crosses are explained here: The original Zen Do Kai cross was the square cross. It was modeled on the Finnish cross of bravery. Dave Milne and Bill Sabotka. During the sixties, as his security firm grew, Jones awarded more of the crosses to his personnel. The early seventies saw Jones engrave the word 'Bushido' onto the cross. This translates literally as 'the way of the warrior'and the cross took on a slightly new meaning. The Bushido Cross (as it is still known) was presented by Jones to his higher grade Zen Do Kai students as a symbol of protection of the junior Zen Do Kai brothers (students in the ranks). This aimed to instill an incentive for every new student to maximise his efforts to gain acceptance in "the new family of security". Today, Zen Do Kai practitioners train fiercely to earn the honour and privilege of being awarded the Bushido Cross. Which ever cross is awarded, the most important thing is the relationship between the instructor and the students. It is the meaning and intention of the awarding of the cross.

The round cross was introduced initially to acknowledge the understanding and commitment of the wives and partners of the security personnel in Jones's protection interest, most of Jones'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" or to exemplify their understanding of the men folk training with Jones up to six nights a week. 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 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 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 functions.