RONIN
DRAGON
KARATE
1250 O'Hara Ave. Oakley, CA 94561 (925) 625-7041
OUR LOGO
The Ronin Dragon logo is of a wingless dragon. This style dragon is a legendary creature in Japanese mythology and folklore.
1) No wings symbolize power, strength, good luck and prosperity.
2) The shape of the dragon's body forms an "S" curve like a Yin and Yang which means balance.
3) The left Kanji is Rōnin which means a warrior without a master; it represents who we have become.
4) The Right Kanji is Ryū which means dragon; it represents our past system and who we still are.
5) The leg of the dragon that is pointing down represents the times in our training where we fall.
6) The leg of the dragon pointing up represents our commitment and our willingness to push ourselves to improve.
Ronin Dragon Karate History
The word “Ronin” translates to “a samurai with no lord or master”
We translate it as a warrior without a master.
“Dragon” represents our past system.
Shihan Crescini referred to himself as “A dragon without a master” because of our breakaway from a past instructor. From there other black belts followed, which then started the Ronin Dragon movement.
Ronin Dragon Karate was founded in the year 2013 by Shihan Arnel Crescini, Renshi Gino Bangoli, Renshi Elizabeth Iparraguirre, and Sensei Jordan Diaz. Our system is a mixed martial art that consists of Shito- Shu Karate, Jidokwan, and Hapkido.
Shito-Shu (founded by Ishumo Agata) is a style of karate that combines Shotokan Karate and Aikido. It is described as a style of hot and cold or soft and hard. This style focuses on pressure points, grab arts, and joint attacks. Shito- Shu was never formally announced because before Ishumo Agata could present it to the martial arts community he passed away. His students then carried on his legacy by teaching this style.
Jidokwan (founded by Sang Sup Chun) is an original modern Korean martial art that later became Taekwondo. It was founded in what is now South Korea. It means “The Way of Wisdom.” It focuses on long and low stances as well as more circular blocks, strikes and kicks.
Hapkido (founded by Choi Yong-Sool) is a Korean self-defense and fighting style. It deals with both long and close range fighting and is characterized by its kicking and circular movements. It means “the way of coordinated energy.”
The founders of Ronin Dragon took these styles and adapted them into their own martial art. We use the katas and Shotokan based techniques from Shito-Shu. The focus of fast and high kicks comes from Jidokwan and our close and long range fighting techniques come from Hapkido.
All together this is Ronin Dragon. We are proud of who we are and where we come from. We choose to stand for principles we believe to be the most important in martial arts which are tradition, honor, respect, discipline, courage and integrity. OSU!