Hanshi Piddington's 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 Hanshi Jerry C. Piddington.  Believe it or not, Mr. Piddington has fought in the street against knife, 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 time 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!  Fear of death, which if unconquered, could cause that slight hesitation in combat that might be fatal.

For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and a sound mind (Timothy 1:7).

And the very God of peace sanctify you wholly; and I pray God your whole spirit and soul and body be preserved blameless unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ (1 Thessalonians 5:23). 

FIVE KATA TOMOE
(Silver TOMOE pendant)

1. Must be a 7th Kyu or above

2. Must have one year of martial art study

3. Must be recommended by a black belt

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

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, and Andrea Josey

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

1. Must be a 3rd Dan or above

2. Must have five years of martial art study

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, Jeff McClenney, Sonia Fields

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

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

5. Must have a teaching knowledge of twenty-one kata

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

PINNACLE/DIAMOND TOMOE WARRIORS:
1. Jerry C. Piddington   2. Danny McCall   3. Ricky Smith   4. Randy Smith
5. Joe McClellan   6. Gene Smith