#Terressens studio

Letter dated October 22, 2023

Studio #Terressens
Reproductions of historical, legendary and imaginary objects

Samurai & katana | Middle Ages & sword
Templar & knight | Legend, movies & video games | Militaria

Illustration: tomb of Zen master Rinzai Takuan Sōhō (沢庵宗彭) in the Oyama Cemetery of Tokaiji Temple, Tokyo, Japan (photo: Mperkola, public domain).

Illustration: grave of Zen master Rinzai Takuan Sōhō (沢庵宗彭) in the Oyama Cemetery
of Tokaiji Temple, Tokyo, Japan (photo: Mperkola, public domain) ↓ Geolocation #Terressens

The indomitable spirit

"The Indomitable Spirit" was written by Takuan Sōhō (沢庵宗彭), a Japanese Zen monk of the XVIIᵉ century (December 24, 1573-January 27, 1646), from a samurai family of the Miura clan. He began his studies as a priest at the age of 10, studying Jōdo Buddhism. He later became a major figure in the Rinzai-shu school of Zen Buddhism. Soin is a classic of Zen literature. It explores the fundamental principles of this philosophy and of meditation. Here are the main ideas:

. Non-attachment: Takuan Sōhō stresses the importance of not becoming attached to thoughts, emotions and desires. He explains that attachment is the source of suffering, and that inner freedom lies in not letting things dominate us.

. Meditation: The author highlights zazen meditation (sitting meditation) as a means of developing mental clarity and finding inner peace. He explains how to practice meditation in such a way as to transcend the dualism between self and outer world.

. The importance of spontaneous action: Takuan Sōhō encourages spontaneous action without preconceived thoughts. He stresses that the mind must be free of any hindrance for action to be effective.

. Simplicity: The author advocates simplicity in everyday life. He invites us to free ourselves from unnecessary distractions to better connect with the present moment.

. Mastering the sword: Takuan Sōhō was also a martial arts expert, and he explains how Zen principles can be applied to katana practice, highlighting the relationship between meditation and action.

This book therefore encourages the cultivation of a free, detached and spontaneous mind, while striving for simplicity and mental clarity. It remains a valuable resource for those wishing to deepen their understanding of Zen philosophy and meditation.

Happy reading... and see you soon on #Terressens!

"The indomitable spirit", Takuan Sōhō

Taken as a whole, the three writings that make up this work are addressed to the samurai class, and aim to unify the spirit of Zen with the spirit of the sword. The advice given combines the practical, technical and philosophical aspects of any confrontation, and provides the individual with the self-knowledge that will eventually become an art of living. By clearly establishing the unity of Zen and the sword, Takuan influenced the writings of great masters who continue to be read and their precepts applied, such as Yagy-u Munenori's Heik-o Kadensho and, above all, Miyamoto Musashi's Gorin no Sho (The Book of Five Wheels). The style of these men varies, but their conclusions are imbued with a high level of introspection and understanding, whether expressed in terms of "freedom and spontaneity" by Musashi, or "ordinary spirit that knows no rules" by Munenori, or "indomitable spirit" by Takuan.

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Boutique #Terressens

Herugrim ("Fierce Sword" in Rohiric), Theoden's sword (Lord of the Rings)

Replica of the sword of Théoden, King of the March, with wall bracket

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Legolas' elven daggers (Lord of the Rings)

Set of two collector's daggers in cast steel and metal, screen-printed resin, engraved blades, supplied with a wall bracket.

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Katana "Musha shugyō" (武者修行), Shihozume forge, selective tempering

Sharp Katana, Shihozume forge (1045 / 1060 / 1095 steels), genuine tempering line (hamon 刃文), hand sharpening...

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Katana "Dragon claws" red, Maru 1060 #Terressens

Sharp wooden katana with scabbard (saya 鞘), supplied with protective fabric cover.

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Commander's sword

Forged medieval sword, circular pommel with red Templar cross pattee, throat blade,...

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Templar helmet in steel, black cross and brass

Medieval Templar knight's helmet with padded protection

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Magazine #Terressens

Agenda and press review #MiddleAge

La Nuit des Châteaux

Friday, October 27 and Saturday, October 28

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"La légende des chevaliers", the medieval equestrian show not to be missed in provins

Until November 5

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Agenda and press review #Templiers

Conference on the Templars in Lorraine / Exhibition on the Order of the Temple

Saturday, November 18 and Sunday, November 19

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The trial of the Templars. 1307 The interrogation scroll

Until January 15, 2024

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Agenda and press review #Samurai and #Katanas

Japan in color, photographs from the XIXᵉ century: the Musée des Arts Décoratifs exhibition

November 8 to December 31, 2023

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At the Musée GUIMET, le musée de l'Asie, from November 22: À la cour du Prince Genji A thousand years of Japanese imagination

November 22, 2023 to March 25, 2024

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Agenda and press review #LeSeigeurDesAnneaux

The must-see exhibition: in search of Tolkien and the medieval imagination

From June 25, 2023 to January 28, 2024

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#Terressens studio

The Bamboo Grove in the Cévennes

La bambouseraie en Cévennes (also known as bambouseraie d'Anduze or bambouseraie de Prafrance) is an exotic garden located in Générargues in the Gard department.

Unique in Europe for its size, the bamboo plantation in the Cévennes is located on a 34-hectare estate (the park, the only part open to the public, covers 15 hectares) 11 km south-west of Alès and 2 km north of Anduze. It contains bamboos planted in 1856 by Eugène Mazel.

↓ Geolocation #Terressens

La Bambouseraie in the Cévennes (photo: Philippe Contal, studio #Terressens)