亞洲現代與當代藝術 Modern and Contemporary Asian Art

135
Yuki INOUE
(Japanese, b. 1972)
The Helmet of Salamander’s Hape
2016
FRP, iron, paint, braiding
65(L) x 34(W) x 60(H) cm
EXHIBITED
Toy Box - Yuki Inoue Solo exhibition, U space Gallery, Taipei, December
16, 2017~January 14, 2018
SalaMandala/ Childhood Solo exhibition by Yuki Inoue, Takashimaya,
Tokyo; Osaka, 2016
2016
65() x 34() x 60() cm
U Space
201612162017114
2016
NT$ 460,000-550,000
HK$ 124,000-148,000
US$ 15,800-18,900
RMB 100,000-119,000
- (salamander) ,
The official name of the helmet worn by the Japanese samurai is
a kabuto ().In the present, the large variety of kabuto that
have been found are mostly remnants from the Heian to Edo
eras. Kabuto are generally made of hemp, wood, bamboo, and
leather. In addition, a large number of metal accessories have also
been found attached to these kabuto.Prior to the Warring States
period, the majority of battles during the Heian period were fought
using bows. The helmets from this era served primarily to protect
the face. During the Edo period, along with improvements in
craftsmanship, materials typically used to craft ō-yoroi such as iron,
weaved bamboo, and leather, as well as other materials such as
fur, ivory, ox horns, and washi were also incorporated into kabuto
designs, leading to the creation of these gorgeous Japanese
cultural relics.
Kabuto are helmets that serve as blessings to help elevate status
and achieve swift success, or as symbols of the strength and bravery
of the samurai
The artist specializes in using the salamander, a living fossil with
incredible regenerative abilities, as the main subject for his works.
Combining Edo period cultural elements with contemporary
Japanese cultural elements, the artist perfectly blends these two
to create beautiful, detail filled figures using the finest sculptural
techniques. Only a single one of this work was created. Although
it inherits the body of a salamander, the style of this work is rarely
seen in the artist’s works. The uniqueness as well as the finely
woven detail and combination of different materials make this an
especially extraordinary piece of art.