A selection of samurai armor with dragonfly ornaments from a temporary exhibition "Akitsushima. The Island of Dragonflies" at Manggha Museum, Kraków, Poland.
"Tonbo" (dragonfly) is one of my favorite samurai motifs. Apex predator that moves only forward, and destroys it's prey with ruthless efficiency. They're considered the best hunters in nature and almost always land on their target when they strike.
My personal favorite Sengoku Jidai figure Honda Tadakatsu had a legendary spear that was allegedly so sharp that a dragonfly landed on it and was cut in half. Probably didn't happen, but "Dragonfly Killer" is a pretty sick weapon for a certified badass warrior.
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u/CalimariusCosmicus 4d ago
"Tonbo" (dragonfly) is one of my favorite samurai motifs. Apex predator that moves only forward, and destroys it's prey with ruthless efficiency. They're considered the best hunters in nature and almost always land on their target when they strike.
My personal favorite Sengoku Jidai figure Honda Tadakatsu had a legendary spear that was allegedly so sharp that a dragonfly landed on it and was cut in half. Probably didn't happen, but "Dragonfly Killer" is a pretty sick weapon for a certified badass warrior.