As many of you likely know, different pronunciations can correspond to different kanji, but the same pronunciation can also be written with different kanji—and thus carry different meanings. A good example of this is the word Kōdōkan.
Kōdōkan 講道館 – Jūdō Headquarter in Tōkyō
Meaning: “Hall for the Instruction of the Way”
- 講 (kō): lecture, instruction
- 道 (dō): way (in the sense of an ethical, philosophical, or martial path)
- 館 (kan): hall, building
→ A hall or institution where the „Way“ is transmitted through teaching and lectures.
Kōdōkan 興道館 – Nagamine Shōshin Dōjō in Naha (Okinawa)
Meaning: “Hall for the Advancement of the Way”
- 興 (kō): promotion, revitalization, rise, stimulation
- 道 (dō): way
- 館 (kan): hall
→ A hall for the revival or promotion of the Way – which, in the context of Matsubayashi-ryū, can be understood as a reference to the renewal or preservation of traditional martial values. The character Kō derives from the names Matsumora Kōsaku and Iha Kōtatsu.
Kōdōkan 光道館 – Matayoshi Shinpō Dōjō in Naha (Okinawa)
Meaning: “Hall of the Way of Light”
- 光 (kō): light, radiance
- 道 (dō): way
- 館 (kan): hall
→ A hall of the light-filled path – symbolically representing an “enlightened” or “clear” path. The character Kō comes from the name of Matayoshi Shinkō.
Karate Kenkyū Shitsu 