Club Information

Have you ever pondered the significance behind our club’s name and the design of our emblem?

To begin, our club is officially known as the ‘Northbrook Kyu Shin Kai Judo Club,’ though we frequently refer to ourselves simply as Northbrook Judo Club. The term “Northbrook” signifies our roots at Northbrook CoE Secondary School in Lee. A key condition for the privilege of utilising the school’s facilities was the inclusion of its name in ours.

Now, let’s explore the meaning of “Kyu Shin Kai.”

The term “Kyu” translates literally to “students,” reflecting our shared journey as learners of this esteemed martial art. “Shin,” on the other hand, carries a more philosophical nuance. It was a concept introduced by one of the founding members of the British Judo Council, Sensei Kenshiro Abbe, with whom we were affiliated. “Shin” symbolises the central point within a circle, around which both movement and life itself revolve. This circular concept originally stemmed from teachings received by Abbe from Morihei Ueshiba, the founder of Aikido. Lastly, “Kai” denotes “club” or “society.”

So, what about our club’s logo?

The badge is circular, distinguishing it from the square, triangular, or rectangular designs of other clubs. This circular shape embodies the “Shin” aspect of our name. The sun rising on the right side of the circle pays homage to our founding nation, Japan, known as the “Land of the Rising Sun.” The initials “NB” clearly represent our club’s name. Initially, these initials were depicted in blue for aesthetic reasons, but they are now simply rendered in red and white.

In the latest version of our emblem, crossed swords point upwards behind the main badge. This addition symbolises our new team name, the Northbrook Knights, using broadswords rather than samurai swords. The crossed swords represent a convergence of ideas, illustrating the fusion of Western and Eastern philosophies, as well as the blend of sport and martial arts. The upward orientation of the swords signifies readiness for action; in contrast, pointing them downward would imply passivity. This concept mirrors a fencing match where competitors raise their swords to signal their readiness to engage. Lowering the swords would indicate submission.

Thus, we present our club badge along with a brief history encapsulating its significance.