The Heisei Reiwa no Hyakumonyo Project（woodblock publicized in September 2018）

Protection, warding off misfortune, accomplishing goals

This pattern features a motif of the Kurikara Dragon, which was carved into the Honebamitoushiro, a famous sword of the Kamakura Period (1185-1333).
The woodblock for the pattern was created in 2018 in collaboration with the special exhibition “Swords of Kyoto: Master Craftsmanship from an Elegant Culture” at the Kyoto National Museum. Converted from a naginata polearm, the sword Honebamitoushiro is associated with both the Toyotomi and Tokugawa clans. According to legend, all one had to do was to make the motion of attacking an enemy, and his bones would shatter, hence its name Honebami, which means “bone devourer.” The Kurikura Dragon shown intertwined with a sword is an avatar of the fierce guardian deity Fudo Myo-o, who wards off misfortune and protects one’s ability to carry things through to completion.

Description by Karakamishi Toto Akihiko