Illustrated
is a large samurai on horseback bronze by the multi-talented Tsukigata Nahiko.
Obviously sculpted in clay and then cast in bronze, the figure is of famous Sengoku-jidai
feudal warrior, Ouchi Yoshioki (1477-1528). The bronze was cast in several
pieces, then assembled and patinated to give it an antique feel while high
lighting the figure in full Samurai armor, even the sword handle, armor plates,
flowing tie from the eboshi and the heraldic mon on the haori are captured in
detail. Tsukigata was well known for his limited bronzes as well as his public
commissions, some quite large, among his subject matter there are a number of
heroic Samurai figures, religious figures including Fudo-myoo and his creative
depictions of shishi. Irrespective of the material, clay, bronze, sumi or wood,
Tsukigata has an innate appreciation and understanding of the materials and
wrestles to get the most out of each.
A
short account of Ouchi Toshioki can be read on Wikipedia but there is far more
depth to his history than is available at this single source;
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