CHAPTER THREE:

TEACHINGS OF EARTH 地

By STRICTLY on June 28, 2025

In this chapter, we reveal Ronin not as a fighter on the attack, but as the immovable centre of the storm.

Wrapped in a dark moss-green robe worn from war, the red Call Of Duty Oni-mask conceals his emotion, but not his intent.

His tattooed arms bear the scars of battle. His posture says it all, I'm ready

The towering bamboo stalks around him symbolise discipline and vertical growth.

Above, the eyes of a tiger, a creature of ancient Earth energy, watch from the shadows.

Silent. Dangerous. Protective.

Like the spirit animal of a grounded warrior, the tiger waits, not out of fear, but mastery.

Musashi wrote:

"If you have built
a strong foundation,
no force can shake you."

Earth is not loud. It is not fast. It does not waver.

It is the discipline of training long after others stop.

The calm in chaos.

The decision to hold your ground while others run.

Earth teaches the warrior that the greatest power is not found in aggression...

but in presence, in being so grounded that the world must bend around you.

"If you lose your balance, you die.
If you hesitate, you die.
But if you are grounded,
truly grounded,
nothing can break you."

-Tu Lam

THE ARTWORK 地

In this third piece, Ronin stands in the bamboo forest, oni mask set, tiger at his back. Endurance forged in silence, deadly yet disciplined.

STRICTLY x RONIN

THE FIVE ELEMENTS