Hidden Dragon

Tesshu's Dragon is a mosaic rendering of Yamaoka Tesshu's Dragon Calligraphy.

Yamaoka Tesshū 山岡 鉄舟, (1836 – 1888) was a famous samurai who played an important role in the Meiji Restoration. He also was a Kendo Master the founder of the Itto Shoden Muto-ryu school of swordsmanship, a Shodo (Calligraphy) Master, and a Zen Master. 

In Taoism, the couple Tiger - Dragon is another symbol for the Yin-Yang Symbol - Tiger generally being the Yang, fiery aspect, and Dragon, the Yin earthy aspect.

This mosaic was commissionned by my friend Yoko, a Japanese swordswoman and massage therapist in Pensacola, Florida.  Tesshu's Dragon as well as its sister Tesshu's Tiger are made of Travertine and black granite, they both measure 18 x 50". 

Crouching Tiger

Tesshu's Tiger is a mosaic rendering of Yamaoka Tesshu's Calligraphy "Tiger.

Yamaoka Tesshū 山岡 鉄舟, (1836 – 1888) was a famous 19th century samurai. He played an important role in the Meiji Restoration and among other things negotiated with Saigo Takamori better known as "the last Samurai". Tesshu also was a Kendo Master the founder of the Itto Shoden Muto-ryu school of swordsmanship, a Shodo (Calligraphy) Master, and a Zen Master. 

In Taoism, the couple Tiger - Dragon is another symbol for the Yin-Yang Symbol - Tiger generally being the Yang, fiery aspect, and Dragon, the Yin earthy aspect.

Tesshu's Tiger was commissionned by my friend Yoko, a gifted Japanese swordswoman and massage therapist in Pensacola, Florida.  Tesshu's Tiger as well as its sister Tesshu's Dragon is made of Travertine and black granite, it measures 18 x 50". 

Although these pieces were sold, I can reproduce them for you.

Crouching Dragon...

Tonight, I completed the laying of the Tesserae of Yamaoka Tesshu's Tiger and Dragon Mosaics. It has been raining so much since last night, that the glue is having a hard time drying up...

There is still lots of work left. Next thing to do will be to pre-grout - then to glue the support on top, after that flip the pieces and finish them. Depending upon what they look like, I may decide to not use any grout. I have not made up my mind yet. 

These are reproductions of Calligraphies by 19th century Kendo and Calligraphy Master Yamaoka Tesshu. 

Each piece is 20 x 49", materials are Travertine, Granite, and Porcelain.