This
19th century Japanese bronze okimono depicts the ethos of the historical relationship
in Japan between the ethereal music of a the flute and the art of war. The word
samurai translates as, “one who serves”. In the Edo period (1603-1867) many disenfranchised
samurai warriors (ronin) who joined the ranks of itinerant priests known as komuso
("Priests of Emptiness and Nothingness"). Given that these samurai (now turned
priests) were not allowed to carry weapons they crafted their shakuhachi flutes
for dual purposes: beautiful music and tools of defense. In this statue a noble
samurai regal in his highly detailed armor plays a sho flute. The sho flute is
composed of seventeen thin bamboo reeds fixed into a circular lacquer wind chamber
of cherry or pinewood. Look closely, at the face of this samurai: Nobility and
strength, the countenance of strong disciplined male at peace with the inevitability
of his death.
This
bronze’s meticulous artistry depicts the ornate and uniquely flexible qualities
of traditional samurai armor that was traditionally made from bamboo, cloth and
metal. This statue communicates an implicit message of the deeply bittersweet:
Beauty and death in juxtaposition. The samurai’s sword juts out from his side,
sharp and ready even as he plays a tune of resonant beauty. The statue is dated
December 17th on eleven years of Taisho. This powerfully rendered bronze is in
excellent condition. (SD)