MATSUBAYASHI RYU BONSAI Matsubashi Ryu - "Pine Forest" About my logo design or MON A Mon is a Japanese symbol, emblem or logo depicting a certain family, clan or organization. I chose the Ryukyu Pine or White Pine of Okinawa in Bonsai form as my primary symbol. The Tree is back dropped by a red circle with white rings. The tree is shown to be growing in a traditional, root-over-rock style, which the roots of the tree are wrapped firmly around a rock. The rock is protruding out from the soil and at the base of the trunk, with the roots exposed to varying degrees. The colors are RED which represents Virtues, WHITE which represents Purity, and BLACK that represents Completeness.

The Tree (matsu) - Symbolizes Life or a Life. The Ryukyu Pine or White Pine is one of the hardiest of all evergreens, and symbolizes health and longevity. Matsubayshi means "Pine Forest", which I have come to think as a group of lives on common ground. Like the art of Bonsai, one does not add or take way parts of the tree, but refines, molds and enhances what is already there and allows it to grow strong and magnificent in its simplest form. The World Matsubayashi-Ryu Karate Association website reports Nagamine Sensei's nickname growing up was "Gaajuu Maachuu" sometimes pronounced "Chippai Matsu", which means "tenacious pine tree." The White Tree suggests - A purity of life.

The root-over-rock style, or Sekijoju, is a style in which the roots of a tree (typically a fig tree) are wrapped around a rock. The rock is at the base of the trunk, with the roots exposed to varying degrees. The exposed roots (ne) awhich the roots of the tree are wrapped firmly around a rock. with the roots exposed to varying degrees

The Rock (ishi) - Symbolizes A strong foundation

The Tray and Soil (sai) - Symbolizes The Earth

The Solid Red Circle (ishi) - Symbolizes Virtues Japan Circle Strength and Energy

The White Rings (ishi) - Symbolizes Mind, Soul and Body Friendship, beauty, and tenderness which they believe are three goodnesses.

The Reflection (ishi)- Symbolizes