Weaving a new Japanese aesthetic with Mononoke: The world of next generation artist Noriaki Tanimura
Noriaki Tanimura is an artist who expresses the uniquely Japanese culture of mononoke (meaning “vengeful ghosts” or “monsters”) with his own unique sensibility. Let’s take a step into his creative world, in which he transforms familiar objects such as food and household appliances into mononoke, and see his highly original mode of expression.
The word mononoke originally meant "unexpected and mysterious things." Today, the term is used to refer to gods, yokai, and mysterious beings that exist beyond human sight. Tanimura specializes in capturing these energies and beings from a unique perspective and expressing them in a way that is accessible to all.
The "Tempura Yokai" series focuses on the "robe" of tempura batter and the "robe" of the white cloth that preternatural beings wear. This mouth-watering character was born from the idea that horrifying yokai could be transformed into delicious-looking food by recreating them in vegetables, shrimps, and other ingredients covered in tempura batter.
Shrimp Tempura from the “Tempura Yokai” series
In the picture book "Mononoke Shokudo Urameshiya" published by Fukuinkan Shoten, children's familiar mono (meaning “things”) such as remote controllers and cushions are transformed into mononoke.
Mononoke Shokudo Urameshiya, a picture book that plays on familiar things
Mononoke are often associated with scary images, but the lovable characters depicted in the picture book make you want to go looking for them lurking around you.
A remote-controller mononoke in "Mononoke Shokudo Urameshiya"
Ultra Yokai Mononoke Picture Scroll, created to commemorate the 55th anniversary of the broadcast of Ultraman, is one of his best-known works. The 10-meter-long picture scroll depicts around 80 monsters from the Ultraman series with a mononoke-like touch. What if Ultraman kaiju had appeared in Japan once upon a time.......? It's fun to imagine such things while enjoying the picture scroll.
The "Ultra Yokai Mononoke Picture Scroll" depicts around 80 Ultraman kaiju
The new "Fruit Yokai" series introduces five yokai: an apple, strawberry, banana, melon, and tangerine. Their rich individuality is sure to appeal to collectors.
The new "Fruit Yokai" series
A series of events and merchandise sales are coming up, including a workshop at the Sapporo Municipal Central Library in Hokkaido on December 14-15.
Underlying Tanimura's energetic activities is his desire to help children realize their unlimited potential. His creative approach can be viewed as an attempt to convey through his own works the importance of challenging oneself with new ideas and not being bound by stereotypes.
Enjoy a journey through Japan's unique mononoke culture through the works of Noriaki Tanimura and discover Japan's charms from a new perspective.
■DATA ▼Design your own original mononoke! Sapporo Municipal Central Library Dates: December 14 (Saturday) — December 15, 2024 (Sunday) Times: 14th (for elementary school students) 10:00 - 11:30, 13:30 - 15:00 15th (for junior high and high school students) 10:00-12:00 Venue: 3F Auditorium, Sapporo Municipal Central Library Notes: Reservation required (up to 30 people per session) Application details: https://www.city.sapporo.jp/toshokan/kids/charenge/workshop/202412.html Noriaki Tanimura official website: https://mononokeart.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mononoke_artist/ (Information as of November 2024)
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