When Kihachiro Onitsuka started the Onitsuka Co., Ltd. in 1949, he wanted to help young people in Japan who had suffered during World War II. He then used a Latin phrase quite related to mental and, of course, physical health: Anima Sana In Corpore Sano.
This phrase is a version of Juvenal’s Satire X, but it also will help us think about our daily life and how we must confront it. It’s not only the meaning of the acronym of ASICS itself. It’s more than that.
Fearless
If we take a look into Juvenal’s poem, it starts as a prayer: orandum Es Ut sit Mens Sana in Corpore Sano. Our prayers or efforts must try to achieve a healthy status, both bodily and mentally.
We must work hard to develop and strengthen our virtues so that we can face any challenge without fear. We have to work on strengthening our spirit, as it will help us to identify the risks of any action, minimising them and successfully face any task.
A Nature’s gift
The poem then follows by considering the rest of our lives as a Nature’s gift: Qui Spatium Vitae Extremum Inter Munera ponat Naturae.
Life is an evolving process, a constant evolution where we face numerous challenges. Reference to the labors of Hercules is key, as it may help us understand that, in order to get a sound body, we need to work diligently.
Calm over daily chaos
The main result of this process will be a life of peace: Monstro Quod Ipse Tibi posis dare; Semita Certe Tranquilliae Per Virtutem patet Unica Vitae.
You are under control over chaos, and you have the tools to face it. Your efforts, all you have done to strengthen your virtues, your values, that will achieve the life of peace. A peaceful soul, a sound mind, a sound body. More than just an acronym or an advertising claim.
That is the way ASICS understands life. Products created for wellness, so our minds and bodies live in perfect harmony.
Orandum est ut sit mens sana in corpore sano.Fortem posce animum mortis terrore carentem, qui spatium vitae extremum inter munera ponat naturae, qui ferre queat quoscumque labores, nesciat irasci, cupiat nihil et potiores Herculis aerumnas credat saevosque labores et venere et cenis et pluma Sardanapalli. Monstro quod ipse tibi possis dare; semita certe tranquillae per virtutem patet unica vitae.
Juvenal