What does the japanese on the back of the asic kayano running shoe mean?

The Japanese Kanji symbol on the heel of the ASICS Kayano shoe
represents the Kayano family. It is similar to a "family crest" as
used in Western tradition.

"To celebrate the 10th Anniversary of the GEL Kayano asics introduces
its new state-of-the-art BIOMORPHIC FIT? technology and incorporates a
new commemorative Kanji symbol onto the heel design."

ASICS Australia
http://www.asics.com.au/story.asp?id=34

"The Kanji symbol is an ancient Japanese Family tradition. The Kayano
X proudly bears the authentic Kanji of the Kayano family on the heel."

ASICS New Zealand
http://www.britwyn.co.nz/asics/technology/tech_coretech.html 

Google search strategy:

Google Web Search: asics + kayano + kanji
://www.google.com/search?hl=en&ie=UTF-8&q=asics+kayano+kanji

I hope this information is helpful. If anything is unclear, please
request clarification; I'll be glad to offer further assistance before
you rate my answer.

Best regards,
pinkfreud

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Clarification of Answer by pinkfreud-ga on 14 Jul 2004 12:28 PDT

Here's another site that identifies the Kanji on the heel of the shoe
as the symbol of the Kayano family:

The Runners Shop
http://www.runnersshop.com.au/store/category54_1.htm