#3 Monk & The Dragon
"僧侶と龍"
Status
sold
Description
Antique fittings/Dragon and Shishi (Lion Dog) This is the very first sword we did on 'spec'. We simply could not pass up the chance to have a rare Sadaharu blade,the renowned 20th century master of the classic Gassan school. The sword is based on the Zen Teaching Story (we include the full legend here on our website; click to read). The story, long a personal favorite, finds its incarnation in a sword of amazing beauty and artistic genius. Every single part of the creation carries a symbolic meaning pertaining to the tale. Tsuba is Monk with the pot-of-gold that represents the "lure" of the material world. The dragon in the river, blocks the zen path. The Fuchi/Kashira is dragon-in-waves. Menuki are dragons in battle with Shishi (Lion-Dog). They are the Yin Yang guardians of temples and holy places. The kenzen kado is the outcome of that battle; shishi, in this case the Aum dog (the one with the mouth open representing the oneness of the universe) has "restrained" the dragon (the obstacle). The hamon is rolling wave. The ito is the green of the dense forest. Forests, symbolically, obscure the horizon/goal, block light, and hinder progress. Finally the saya is "split" between the high-gloss, polished, lacquered surface, and the rough skin of the manta-ray; a symbol of nature, poverty, and harsh reality. The mon (crest) of the Samurai Class is the cherry blossom that reminds the warrior that life is both beautiful and fleeting; quick to bloom and soon to die. This is the sword Monk & The dragon; a physical manifestation of a parable of spiritual quest. Is this your sword? Are you that samurai?
