Hello guys,
Welcome to the official introduction for our Feudal Monsters artisans.
Recently, I have been obsessed with new designs and sculpting a lot, even though many of them would not make it into the market. Simply because… they just don’t meet our standard.
From Wukong’s gang to the dogs/ cats tests and then the new Feudal set – The Feudal Monster. Sometimes, trying too hard causes more harm than good, after weeks working in the office and sculpting progressively (sitting 12-14 hrs continuously), affected both physically and mentally.
At the point I’ve decided to take a break, I’m happy that the Feudal Monster is finished as an expansion of the previous set – now Feudal Warrior.
Building up Feudal Monsters
Searching for the next Feudal inspiration, I’ve gone through some popular Japanese figures/ symbols that can be the villains to go against Master Rua and his disciples. It was almost Tengu if he doesn’t have a pretty long nose that I have no idea how to put it on the sculpt yet. Then I found Tanuki and Kitsune.
Tanuki sculpt started with the image of Fenir (if I sticked with it, we might have had a Norse/ Viking set), and it is quite different from the Tanuki that I’ve always known – Anna’s Tanuki in the Shaman King manga. I thought that I could turn that ‘’friendly’’ look into some real monster!!
With the samurai outfit, I think Tanuki is good enough with that traditional artisan keycap approach – nothing stands out too much, you can immediately recognize an extremely hostile Tanuki.
Kitsune, on the other hand, is already a fearsome monster in Japanese lore. So I’ve decided to give it the Geisha theme, since most of Kitsune’s images attached to a feminine look. A lot of thoughts on showing her face or not, finally go with mask-on, together with that mysterious smile on the face of a child. It’s not really aggressive, but deadly!!
The idea about Oni-chan came up later when I was looking at my old clay sculpt -the half Oni, half human face. I thought about Oni’s mask which has appeared a lot in Ghost of Tsushima video game. And it striked me: It would be really cool sculpting an Oni with a mask – and the mask link to a human face! The whole thinking process led me to the final sculpt – a young Samurai wearing his mask and being turned into Oni. The right side of the mask is fusing with his skin, while on the left, his eye closed as he’s using the Samurai spirit to fight against his inner demon being called by the evil mask… Thinking that we should call it “The mask” or “Against Darkness” but “Oni-chan” is kinda cute.
The Untold Story…
Once upon a time, there was a young landlord living in a peaceful countryside of Japan. Even though the war had been gone for many years, he always carried a Samurai mask with him which he treasured more than anything. He used to wear it while patrolling the villages at night, as time gone by, he became more obsessed and refused to take it off even during day time. Until one day, the lord disappeared, bringing nothing with him but the Mask…
That young lord later had become one of the most fearsome Oni throughout the country. Some people were lucky enough to see half of the Oni face is still human. Rumors said that the lord was still alive and never gave up on fighting the mask demon, stopping it from getting into the human society. Some said that the Oni couldn’t fully transform his left face because of his determination. People called him – “The Mask”. That Oni, was the one who found Butora – his first disciple…
Butora (Tiger), Tanuki (Racoon) and Kitsune (Fox) are the first 3 and most powerful disciples of the Mask. While Butora had been rescued and converted by Master Rua, Tanuki and Kitsune had never left The Mask’s side – loyal to their lord, bringing terror to nearby villages and living in the Forest of the Dark.
Many years later, they all met again, not as brother and sisters, but enemies!
Butora – who is going to be the next Headmaster of the Royal Army, the famous warrior fighting alongside with his Mentor – Master Rua.
Geineko – the second disciple of Rua, living under the shadow of her brother. (as tigers and cats are related)
Tanuki – the strongest monster under the Mask. Infamous for his brutality and cruelty, he would rip the enemies apart and eat their flesh after the fight. Some said Tanuki may even be stronger than Butora, but no-one could beat Butora in his expertise – swordsmanship.
Kitsune – a geisha Oni that used its beauty to lure and kill those men seeking pleasure. Not as powerful as Tanuki or Butora but Kitsune has its own way. Master in poison and assassinate weapons, also very strong in martial arts. Kitsune first met Geineko at the Okiya. She tried to use Geineko to strengthen her cover but never knew that Geineko was also using Kitsune as a tool to get into the underground world of the Red light district.
Conclusion
This should be the end for our Feudal story!
Thanks for reading and also for being with us for the past 2 years, since the very beginning with Butora.
However, with the reduced number of team members, we couldn’t bring the whole Feudal set to you altogether. We’ll try to cast at least a pair a week for the raffle and there would be something new as well!!!
Hope you enjoy them.
Thanks again and best wishes for you.