HYAKUSETSU FUTŌ — “Unbroken Through a Hundred Defeats”EAST INTERSECTS WEST 606
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¥3,847
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¥3,847
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HYAKUSETSU FUTŌ — “Unbroken Through a Hundred Defeats”
In this work, the ancient Coptic cross is paired with the Japanese philosophical expression “Hyakusetsu Futō” (百折不撓), a phrase commonly translated as:
“Though broken a hundred times, one does not yield.”
The expression describes a state of unwavering perseverance — the ability to endure repeated hardship without surrendering one’s inner conviction.
Within East Asian philosophical traditions, the phrase signifies resilience not merely as physical endurance, but as spiritual steadfastness maintained through adversity, impermanence, and suffering.
Although emerging from different civilizations and theological traditions, both Coptic spirituality and Eastern philosophy contemplate:
• endurance through suffering
• transcendence beyond material hardship
• spiritual resilience
• the preservation of inner faith amidst instability
The historical context surrounding early Coptic Christianity further deepens this symbolism.
Coptic communities endured periods of political transition, religious tension, and cultural transformation, yet continued to preserve their spiritual identity through liturgy, symbolism, and sacred art.
The equal-armed geometry of the cross reinforces this sense of equilibrium under pressure.
Radiating outward from a stable center, the form suggests an unshaken spiritual axis capable of withstanding external forces while remaining internally ordered.
In early Christian symbolism, the cross often represented sacrifice, endurance, and spiritual victory through suffering.
Similarly, within Eastern thought, perseverance is understood not as aggression, but as disciplined continuity of spirit.
By combining these symbolic traditions, the design becomes a meditation on resilience — a visual expression of the human capacity to remain spiritually unbroken across time, conflict, and change.
A convergence of archaeology, sacred geometry, contemplative philosophy, and minimalist form.
This design is based on a reinterpretation of a historical Coptic limestone cross dating from approximately the 4th to 8th century CE.
Rather than reproducing the original artifact directly, the form of the cross has been reconstructed into a balanced equal-armed geometry, emphasizing symmetry, sacred proportion, and spiritual equilibrium. Through this transformation, the symbolic essence of the original Coptic object is preserved while translated into a contemporary minimalist visual language.
The historical origins of the cross lie within the highly syncretic culture of Late Antique Egypt, where Egyptian, Greek, Roman, and early Christian traditions intersected. During this period, Alexandria served as one of the intellectual and spiritual centers of the Mediterranean world, where philosophy, mysticism, theology, and science coexisted and influenced one another.
The spiral motifs carved into the cross are believed to represent stylized grapevines — symbols associated in early Christianity with mystical union, spiritual abundance, and the Eucharist. The radiating forms extending outward from the central floral or solar motif suggest divine illumination and the expansion of sacred order into the cosmos.
The equal-armed structure also evokes ancient cosmological symbolism related to the four cardinal directions and intermediary points, concepts shared across Hermetic, Greco-Roman, and numerous mystical traditions.
You've now found the staple t-shirt of your wardrobe. It's made of 100% ring-spun cotton and is soft and comfy. The double stitching on the neckline and sleeves add more durability to what is sure to be a favorite!
• 100% ring-spun cotton
• Sport Grey is 90% ring-spun cotton, 10% polyester
• All Heather colors are 65% polyester, 35% cotton
• 4.5 oz/yd² (153 g/m²)
• Shoulder-to-shoulder taping
• Quarter-turned to avoid crease down the center
• Blank product sourced from Bangladesh, Nicaragua, Honduras, Dominican Republic, Haiti or Guatemala
Disclaimer: Due to the fabric properties, the White color variant may appear off-white rather than bright white.
This product is made especially for you as soon as you place an order, which is why it takes us a bit longer to deliver it to you. Making products on demand instead of in bulk helps reduce overproduction, so thank you for making thoughtful purchasing decisions!
Age restrictions: For adults
EU Warranty: 2 years
Other compliance information: Meets the flammability, lead, cadmium, phthalates and formaldehyde level requirements.
In compliance with the General Product Safety Regulation (GPSR), Oak inc. and SINDEN VENTURES LIMITED ensure that all consumer products offered are safe and meet EU standards. For any product safety related inquiries or concerns, please contact our EU representative at gpsr@sindenventures.com. You can also write to us at 123 Main Street, Anytown, Country or Markou Evgenikou 11, Mesa Geitonia, 4002, Limassol, Cyprus.
HYAKUSETSU FUTŌ — “Unbroken Through a Hundred Defeats”EAST INTERSECTS WEST 606
¥3,847
Sale price
¥3,847
Regular price
HYAKUSETSU FUTŌ — “Unbroken Through a Hundred Defeats”
In this work, the ancient Coptic cross is paired with the Japanese philosophical expression “Hyakusetsu Futō” (百折不撓), a phrase commonly translated as:
“Though broken a hundred times, one does not yield.”
The expression describes a state of unwavering perseverance — the ability to endure repeated hardship without surrendering one’s inner conviction.
Within East Asian philosophical traditions, the phrase signifies resilience not merely as physical endurance, but as spiritual steadfastness maintained through adversity, impermanence, and suffering.
Although emerging from different civilizations and theological traditions, both Coptic spirituality and Eastern philosophy contemplate:
• endurance through suffering
• transcendence beyond material hardship
• spiritual resilience
• the preservation of inner faith amidst instability
The historical context surrounding early Coptic Christianity further deepens this symbolism.
Coptic communities endured periods of political transition, religious tension, and cultural transformation, yet continued to preserve their spiritual identity through liturgy, symbolism, and sacred art.
The equal-armed geometry of the cross reinforces this sense of equilibrium under pressure.
Radiating outward from a stable center, the form suggests an unshaken spiritual axis capable of withstanding external forces while remaining internally ordered.
In early Christian symbolism, the cross often represented sacrifice, endurance, and spiritual victory through suffering.
Similarly, within Eastern thought, perseverance is understood not as aggression, but as disciplined continuity of spirit.
By combining these symbolic traditions, the design becomes a meditation on resilience — a visual expression of the human capacity to remain spiritually unbroken across time, conflict, and change.
A convergence of archaeology, sacred geometry, contemplative philosophy, and minimalist form.
This design is based on a reinterpretation of a historical Coptic limestone cross dating from approximately the 4th to 8th century CE.
Rather than reproducing the original artifact directly, the form of the cross has been reconstructed into a balanced equal-armed geometry, emphasizing symmetry, sacred proportion, and spiritual equilibrium. Through this transformation, the symbolic essence of the original Coptic object is preserved while translated into a contemporary minimalist visual language.
The historical origins of the cross lie within the highly syncretic culture of Late Antique Egypt, where Egyptian, Greek, Roman, and early Christian traditions intersected. During this period, Alexandria served as one of the intellectual and spiritual centers of the Mediterranean world, where philosophy, mysticism, theology, and science coexisted and influenced one another.
The spiral motifs carved into the cross are believed to represent stylized grapevines — symbols associated in early Christianity with mystical union, spiritual abundance, and the Eucharist. The radiating forms extending outward from the central floral or solar motif suggest divine illumination and the expansion of sacred order into the cosmos.
The equal-armed structure also evokes ancient cosmological symbolism related to the four cardinal directions and intermediary points, concepts shared across Hermetic, Greco-Roman, and numerous mystical traditions.
You've now found the staple t-shirt of your wardrobe. It's made of 100% ring-spun cotton and is soft and comfy. The double stitching on the neckline and sleeves add more durability to what is sure to be a favorite!
• 100% ring-spun cotton
• Sport Grey is 90% ring-spun cotton, 10% polyester
• All Heather colors are 65% polyester, 35% cotton
• 4.5 oz/yd² (153 g/m²)
• Shoulder-to-shoulder taping
• Quarter-turned to avoid crease down the center
• Blank product sourced from Bangladesh, Nicaragua, Honduras, Dominican Republic, Haiti or Guatemala
Disclaimer: Due to the fabric properties, the White color variant may appear off-white rather than bright white.
This product is made especially for you as soon as you place an order, which is why it takes us a bit longer to deliver it to you. Making products on demand instead of in bulk helps reduce overproduction, so thank you for making thoughtful purchasing decisions!
Age restrictions: For adults
EU Warranty: 2 years
Other compliance information: Meets the flammability, lead, cadmium, phthalates and formaldehyde level requirements.
In compliance with the General Product Safety Regulation (GPSR), Oak inc. and SINDEN VENTURES LIMITED ensure that all consumer products offered are safe and meet EU standards. For any product safety related inquiries or concerns, please contact our EU representative at gpsr@sindenventures.com. You can also write to us at 123 Main Street, Anytown, Country or Markou Evgenikou 11, Mesa Geitonia, 4002, Limassol, Cyprus.