Tigress and a cub – 2

Tora no itsukushimi -虎の慈しみ– Tigress’Tenderness.
In the Zuizan mountains, whence the pine trees drink from the clouds, there once dwelt a tigress, and her name was Tenderness. Her might lay not in the hunt, but in her vigil. Each morning, in the quiet hour that precedes the dawn, she would groom her cub, imparting to him the voiceless lore of ages past. Her tongue, like the brush of a master, would trace unseen characters upon his coat, perceived only by the heart: the character of deep roots, to stand unshaken; the character of the pure stream, to see with truth; and the character of the full moon, to walk without fear in the night. With every caress, the cub grew mightier, and his spirit, ever more luminous. Whosoever shall touch this netsuke and whisper its name, Tora no itsukushimi will come to know a simple truth: that true power is born not of fangs, but of gentleness. And the most powerful charm of all is the one given with love—a power that guides one home.
The name Zuisan (瑞山) is absolutely real and very authentic. It exists as a “sango” (山号)—the “mountain name” of a Buddhist temple.
Zuisan-ji Temple (瑞山寺): In Ehime Prefecture on the island of Shikoku, there is a genuine Zen Buddhist temple called Zuisan-ji. Its “mountain name” is Zuisan.
It is a common tradition in Japan to name temples after the mountains on which or at the foot of which they are located. This name becomes part of the temple’s full
name and gives it special status.
The symbolic meaning is very apt; the characters in the name mean:
瑞(zui) — “auspicious,” “good sign,” “happy omen.”
山(san) — “mountain.”
Thus, “Zuisan Mountains” literally translates as “Mountains of Good Omens” or “Auspicious Mountains.” It’s the perfect, fairytale-like setting for the birth of a
legend of tenderness and strength.

Material: Moose antler. Dimensions: Length 7.5 cm. Inlay: Eyes are inlaid with golden mother-of-pearl and black water buffalo horn. Coloring: Stained with Yashabushi (a traditional Japanese dye from green alder cones) and black lacquer. Includes: Braided cord and a custom kiribako (paulownia wood box). 2025.

Private collection.