Wua Thanu (วัวธนู), 2556 edition, made at the time for our own circle

Wua Thanu (วัวธนู), 2556 edition, made at the time for our own circle. It was not long after Ya Than Phao (ญาท่านเภา) had passed away, and Ya Sa Uan (ยาซาอ้วน) was still with us. I inscribed the Itthije powder (ผงอิธะเจ), and we were honoured by Ajarn Natthan (อ.ณัฏฐัน), who inscribed the Maharat powder (ผงมหาราช) to be blended with the sacred wax balm. On that day masters and fellow practitioners from the Lao PDR crossed the Mekong to join us. Some were disciples of the earlier generation under Luang Pu Ya Than Phao; some carried the "iron helmet" tattoo dating from the years before the change of government in Laos. Normally, on a Tuesday full moon I have two choices: to make Wua Thanu, or else to make the nine-chamber takrut in the tradition of Phor Mae Bua (พ่อแม่บัว). Although this takrut is not widely sought after, I regard it as an object that stands alongside the town of Nong Khai itself. In the days when Phor Mae Bua was still alive, even Chao Phetsarath (เจ้าเพชรราช), the Viceroy known as the Iron Man of Asia, had a sheet of gold a cubit long beaten out so that Phor Mae Bua would inscribe this kind of takrut for him. Chao Phetsarath wore that takrut at his waist all his life. His aide-de-camp, his sworn companion, was a man from Nong Kung, Phon Phisai, right here. Whenever I have the opportunity I try to make the nine-chamber takrut, so that the tradition may be carried on.... The Tuesday full moon is our day of work.