In a Tomoe Warriors Heart....There is No Surrender!!

!Webster’s Dictionary defines “Discipline” as training that corrects and molds, or  perfects mental faculties or moral character.         KEEP YOUR PROMISES ! NO EXCUSES !

                               TOMOE Warrior Award

                                    To receive the TOMOE Warrior Award, a karate-ka must understand the concept of TOMOE

Can you imagine fighting a real person with a samurai sword in his hand! That is exactly what the TOMOE warriors did.  This award is given by Grand Master Jerry C. Piddington and Hanshi  McCall.  Believe it or not, Mr. Piddington and Kyoshi McCall have fought in the streets against knifes, gun, and club to survive, hence, the TOMOE award came into being.  It is a special award given to students who have a warrior spirit.  The TOMOE is the symbol of the fighting spirit of Okinawan warriors who defended their homes and families in times of war.  The victory symbol was put on their shields used for defense against the sword.  It means the constant motion of our universe, the eye of a hurricane, the wheel is always turning, leading to the only certainty - at some time this human life will come to an end.  To place too much importance on this fragile butterfly life was deemed fatal.  It is far better to aim at honor and respect, which has strength in unity flowing in one direction for a better society, even if in pursuance of this, it becomes necessary to give up life - thus the warrior defeats his greatest foe - FEAR! (False-Evidence-Appearing-Real)  Fear of death, which if unconquered, could cause that slight hesitation in combat that might be fatal.

The Tomoe Warrior must have the same qualities as the mighty Samurai. The Samurai always trained to always behave with Honor. The Tomoe warrior cannot strike out of anger and verbal strikes are just like striking with your Fist or sword. A Samurai was trained to never kill out of anger, but from a sense of duty. It was a matter of Honor.

The lesson of Samurai  teaches us that it is not what we do per se that is important, but rather where our consciousness is while we are doing whatever it is we are doing. For example, you can repair a broken pipe in your garden while muttering curses and growling with frustration, or you can perform the same act humming a joyous hymn. ( from: Extreme Spirituality-Tolly Burkan)

ONE KATA TOMOE

(Bronze TOMOE Pendant)

1. Must be a 9th Kyu or above

2. Must have 3 months of martial art study

3. Must be recommended by a Black belt & perform 10 Acts of Kindness

4. Must demonstrate proper use of ONE striking technique and ONE kicking technique

5. Must perform ONE KATA: must understand basic level of bunkai, must name the KATA before and after presentation. Make no more than three mistakes.

FIVE KATA TOMOE
(Silver TOMOE pendant)

1. Must be a 6th Kyu or above

2. Must have one year of martial art study

3. Must be recommended by a black belt & perform 25 Acts of kindness

4. Must demonstrate proper use of FIVE striking techniques and FIVE kicking techniques

5. Must perform FIVE KATA:  Must understand basic level of bunkai, must name the KATA before and after presentation, may rest 15 seconds or less between KATA, and can make no more than three mistakes

TEN KATA TOMOE
(Gold TOMOE pendant)

1. Must be a 2nd Kyu or above

2. Must have two years of martial art study

3. Must be recommended by a black belt & perform 50 Acts of kindness

4. Must demonstrate proper use of TEN striking techniques and TEN kicking techniques

5. Must perform TEN KATA:  Must understand intermediate level of bunkai, must name the KATA before and after presentation, may rest 30 seconds or less between KATA, and can make no more than three mistakes

GOLD (TEN KATA) TOMOE WARRIORS:
Scott Merritt, Nick Funderburke, Robert Taylor, Nick Walters, Madison Hobbs, Dale Jordan, Sonia Fields, Clay Fields, Rickey Dease, Rusty Watts, Julie Alexander, Jonathan Phillis, Debbie Watts, Travis Rushing, Mike Keever, Ronnie Ward, Andrea Josey ,Matt McCall, Robby Wright, Chase Martin,  Jayme Cloninger, Stacy Wright, Derek Brock, Hunter Foster, Brandon Vigue , Jerry Nolen, Matt Watson, Robby Poston

SEVENTEEN  KATA TOMOE
(Gold TOMOE pendant with a diamond in the center)

1. Must be a 2nd Dan or above

2. Must have five years of martial art study & performed 100 Acts of Kindness

3. Must be recommended and tested by the AKANA Board of Directors

4. Must demonstrate proper use of TWENTY striking techniques and TWENTY kicking techniques

5. Must perform SEVENTEEN KATA:  Must understand advance level of bunkai, must name the KATA before and after presentation, may rest 60 seconds or less between KATA, and can make no more than three mistakes

GOLD/DIAMOND (SEVENTEEN KATA) TOMOE WARRIORS:
Ricky Smith, Wayne Talbert, Jr., Robert Taylor, Rickey Dease , Harvey Sharp, Mike Keever, Ronnie Ward, Charlie Lingerfelt, Joe McClellan, Kyoshi McCall , Hanshi Piddington, Dan Wilson, James Wojtas, Joseph (Joey) Harrington.

 PINNACLE TOMOE
(Gold TOMOE inside triangle with diamond and ruby)

The pyramid is one of the forms most frequently used throughout history to symbolize spiritual completeness.  Mind, Spirit, and Body  are symbolized with the pyramid.  The pyramid also symbolized Mt. Sumeru, the center and the home of power in the universe according to eastern tradition -- not the power itself, but the source of the power, the home of the winds, souls and god.  The power of the mountain is expressed in the human body of the master who stands atop it.

The TRIANGLE (pyramid) represents the goals of every master and every student of every school of martial arts: to attain mastery, to stand firmly upon the summit of existence.

1. Must be a 4th Dan or above

2. Must have at least thirty years experience in the martial arts

3. Must be recommended by the AKANA Board of Directors & meet all requirements for the "Peaceful Warrior".

4. Must have 10,000 hours of giving/teaching to the martial arts

5. Must have a teaching knowledge of twenty-one KATA and be teaching then in a dojo.  Must understand advance level of bunkai, must have a system of karate in writing. Have 4 Black belts who had passed the 17 Tomoe Test

6. Must have a working knowledge of the "The Pinnacle of Karate"

7. Lives the warrior Life

PINNACLE/DIAMOND TOMOE WARRIORS:
1. Jerry C. Piddington (grandmaster)   2. Gene Smith (Honorary)3. Ricky Smith (Shihan)   4. Randy Smith( badass) 5. Joe McClellan (Shihan)  6. Danny McCall (Hanshi)

                      PLEASE NOTE: THIS WILL BE THE ONLY JEWELRY THAT CAN BE WORN IN CLASS

In the Heart of a Warrior....There is No Surrender!!

"The task of the" Peaceful Warrior" is to show up, to be visible and
empower others through example and intention."