In’yo-wagou [陰陽和合]

The characters/ideograms mean, “the harmony of yin and yang energies.” The first character means, “shade; yin; negative; sex organs; secret; shadow,” the second character means, “sunshine; yang principle; positive; male; heaven; daytime,” the third character means, “harmony; Japanese style; peace; soften; Japan,” the fourth character means, “fit; suit; join.” 

A term to express an overall fundamental meaning behind the study of the Ken-po Goku-i. A terse karate koan that is presented at the very start of practice and training, i.e. when you first start you adventure into the world of martial arts - Okinawan Karate. This study like the martial arts is an ongoing contemplation of the goku-i that will change and remain fluid for the practitioner. 

Although a definition of the goku-i uses the English word “secret” there are no secrets within the terse tome but rather a key to open the mind to all the possibilities that are within the practice and training of martial arts. The karate koan, goku-i, in its terse form leaves a chasm of opportunity to form the interconnection of principles toward a fuller and holistic understanding of the arts that drive the application. Without this the martial arts are merely a set of physical activities sometimes used in a violent way. 

Even tho, on first appearances, the goku-i seems to use a modest and plain form to first introduce the fundamentals of yin-yang or In’Yo (in Japanese) when applied in practice and training tend to unlock what is already within each of us, the ability to formulate a philosophical theory about what we seek in the arts. It unlocks and points us directly to the fundamental principles of martial systems. Those principles that drive the arts regardless of style or systemizations often seen on the surface of all forms of practice and training. 

In’yo-wagou is about balance for balancing yin-yang is the creation of harmony of those intrinsic energies the are the very foundation of life or life energies. The Chinese call this life energy, “Jing [精] (prenatal, postnatal and kidney, etc.; one of the three treasures of traditional Chinese Medicine along with Qi and Shen).” In Japanese the term is “sei [精] meaning spirit; sprite; nymph; energy; vigor; strength; fine details and semen.”