IN-YO

The Tenchi Seiki Te-Ate IN-YO [pictured above] is a symbol of central significance to the art.

The IN-YO is comprised of the Sun-disc and the Crescent Moon, with the kanji character: tora [or: ko] 'tiger' on the left and the kanji character: tatsu [or: ryo] 'dragon' on the right.

The tiger is symbolic of Nature, the Earth & physicality; the dragon represents the Cosmos, Heaven & spirituality.

Sun & Moon, Heaven & Earth, the Cosmos & Nature, Physicality & Spirituality - the IN-YO essentially represents the dynamic interplay of all existence - the interplay between hard and soft, tension and relaxation, inhaling and exhaling, activity and rest, waking and sleeping.

IN-YO signifies a state of 'creative harmony' or 'dynamic balance' (- as opposed to balance in a static 'levelling-out' sense) - an optimum state of being.

Copyright © 2002 James Deacon