Respect the Past, Create the New

The Japanese saying  onkochishin is perhaps one of Master Takase's favorite expression. The saying is translated as "Respect the past, create the new" with the meaning that the truly new only comes from a respect and appreciation for what has come before.

Another way of looking at this might be the more familiar quote by the Spanish philosopher George Santayana "Those who fail to learn the lessons of history are doomed to repeat them."

In April 2006 the first of this design was purchased by Warner Brothers to appear in the new Clint Eastwood movie "Red Sun, Black Sand." We can't wait to see if it makes it into the final cut!

Onkochishin was perhaps first introduced to the United States media on Iron Chef in Iron Chefs: New York Battle when Iron Chef Michiba gave this advice to Iron Chef Morimoto. The translation given then was "Respect the old, search for the new." The phrase was meant to remind Morimoto that it is by respecting traditions and methods of the past that truly new works may be created.

Brown Silk Scroll
Outside: 12 1/4" W x 43" H
Inside: 9 " W x 23" H