Why the Katana?
Many have asked us why we use the katana as a symbol for our company, so here's why. On a direct level, the katana represents a literal expression of our company name, Integrity Edge. The katana is one of the finest swords made, and the quality of the craftsmanship represents a level of excellence and dedication which is unparalleled in all but the rarest cases.
On a more abstract level, the katana is a symbol or extension of the samurai way of life. The samurai code, called bushido, emphasizes seven major tenets: rectitude (moral uprightness), courage, benevolence, respect, honesty, honor, and loyalty. In his article entitled “Virtue of the Sword,” author James Williams explains that the samurai “realizes the value of others. He knows that they are essential to society, and in his…service [he] recognizes and values [them].”
Drawing a parallel, we realize the value of our clients as well as the value of the audiences to whom our clients wish to communicate. Both are essential for our economy to function; put another way, businesses and their customers represent a symbiotic “circle of life” in which neither can exist fully and properly without the other. Everyone has a vital role to fulfill in order to keep our economy healthy and functioning. Failure to recognize the value of someone’s contribution to this is the first step onto what can be a very slippery slope. Finally, the seven tenets of bushido listed above parallel the basic philosophy which guides our company. Concepts like respect, honor, loyalty, and honesty are all at the core of our way of doing business.