Hey – who remembers what an autostereogram is?  Nope, it’s not another version of Instagram, haha.  Actually, it’s a throwback to the 1990’s, and while you older folks may not have known the term, I’m sure that you’ve all seen and stared at one, many years ago.  Back then, there was a fad that involved staring at a colorful picture filled with repeating patterns.  These pictures resembled colorful psychedelic wallpaper, but if one stared at it long enough, one would be rewarded by a hidden three dimensional image that would appear.  These were called autostereograms and were very popular with the public for a short period of time, then quickly lost their “fifteen minutes of fame”.

Our younger members probably don’t know what an autostererogram is nor have ever seen one.  For that reason, they may find the one below interesting.  Unlike the usual autostereogram, this one doesn’t contain a hidden 3-D image.  Instead, it contains a checkerboard pattern of leaping tigers.  If looked at long enough, the tigers pop out into several rows of differing depths.  I chose it because it’s easy to tell when the 3D effect takes place (no hidden image) and also because the tiger is the symbol of JKA Shotokan Karate-Do.

Of course, if the 3D effect doesn’t happen for you, that’s okay, since not everyone can see it.  Back when these were all the rage, I often reflected and compared the visual phenomenon to…Kata! Haha.  You know, a basic pattern of movement that we’re supposed to memorize and endlessly perform as a part of our training.  Like the autostereograms, if only viewed at a superficial level, one can only see the pattern.  Yet, if one takes the time and opens one’s eyes and mind, a deeper meaning gradually reveals itself.

Below is a more “standard” autostereogram in which the totally invisible 3D image becomes apparent after looking at it in an unfocused manner.

Here’s to a great year in 2021!