The Shotokan Tiger

The Shotokan Tiger is the icon that symbolises the style of karate founded by Funakoshi Gichin. The drawing was originally created by his friend and student, Hoan Kosugi, instrumental in convincing Funakoshi to both teach karate in Japan and to publish his manual KARATE-DO KYOHAN. Kosugi designed the book and a cover illustration.

In Japanese tradition, the official written document used as a definitive reference source of an art or system is termed “Tora No Maki” (master text/scroll). Kosugi considered Funakoshi’s manual to be the Tora No Maki of karate; since “Tora” also means tiger, he designed the tiger as a representation of Funakoshi’s art.

The irregular appearance of the circle itself suggests that it was drawn free hand and with one continuous stroke of his brush. The kanji found in the upper right hand corner is Hoan Kosugi’s own name.