‘That’s it then,’ says Kyzen, ‘all the Old Masters are gone.’ True enough. With the passing of Geian the Watcher, the last of the Old Masters has joined his brothers and sisters in the legend of the Art. ‘Where do we go from here, Master Ree?’
Ree thinks about this, only for a moment. ‘We continue to improve.’ The Art is the truest balance of Romance and Rationale. It’s purpose, function and application have been the subject of debate, furious and casual alike, since its creation. But what had been generally agreed upon, for the last fifty or so years, is that the Old Master’s had solidified its theory and praxis into its greatest form.
Kyzen looks concerned. ‘But the Art has reached its zenith.’
Master Ree shrugs. ‘Then there is no harm in the attempt. If a thing cannot be improved, then at least we will learn much about it in our experimentation.’
Kyzen considers. ‘Won’t this insult the foundation laid out by the Old Masters? A lot of people won’t appreciate any effort to change what they accomplished.’
‘On the contrary, I think the best way to honour their legacy is to be better than them.’ Master Ree smiles. ‘Actually, I think Old Geian would be insulted if we didn’t best him at some point, or at least try. No Master goes to their death hoping they were the best there ever was. They go knowing, hoping, that someone will come along and do what they could not. All great works invite challenge.’
Kyzen nods. ‘Then where do we start?’
Master Ree gestures to the bookshelf. ‘I think Geian’s works are worth a little re-read, don’t you?’
Paddy Dobson
14th December 2020