With a soft hiss
kissaki cuts the air –
dragon’s breath

*Ryutsume (竜爪) = Dragon Claw. A personal name given to my iaito, or sword, used in the martial art of Iaido. Kissaki ( 切先 ) is the point or end of the iaito which does the actual cutting, and which produces the distinctive “swoosh” sound as the blade moves through the air.

© Copyright Brendan E Byrne 2019. All rights reserved.