Unless you have researched and studied the ken-po goku-i you may not realize that Tatsuo, it would seem, not only created a new, dynamic, system of empty hand fighting but also incorporated a lot of symbolic meaning of the goku-i in many aspects of Isshinryu.

Everyone has or wears or displays the "megami or Isshinryu-no-megami" which is the "Goddess of Isshinryu" but may or may not realize that this also contains many symbols representing the many aspects of the style.

Tatsuo wanted his students to achieve more from practice so he provided them the silk gokui along with a rank certificate. His most ardent wish was for all of us to learn from it, to understand the history, customs, and other important beliefs, etc. of the peoples of Okinawa so he, may have, put his beliefs, etc. into symbols that make up the Megami.

Isshinryu-no-megami Clarification

Megami or Mizugami, that is the question. The first when appended to Isshinryu, i.e. Isshinryu-no-megami, means, "Goddess of Isshinryu!" The second is mizu-gami which means "water goddess."

I think you can readily see that when interpreted properly the correct application is apparent. At least it is to me and when I did the research I found that the data backed it up, a lot.

My perspective is this, either one is good as they both serve a purpose (hmmmm, where have I read/heard this one before!). This is good but from my perspective and now knowing the mistakes made at its inception understand that the correct patch to wear when "directly representing Tatsuo's spirit of karate-do, i.e. Isshinryu, is the Isshinryu-no-megami."

But, then again who the heck am I anyway. Just cause I say so does not make it so, right.