Production for Kohei Nawa’s artwork「Trans-Sacred Deer (g/p_cloud)」

We were responsible for the production of “Trans-Sacred Deer (g/p_cloud),” a work by sculptor Kohei Nawa, who is based in Kyoto and active both in Japan and abroad. The piece is currently on display at “Nara Tsutaya Bookstore,” which held its grand opening on Saturday, April 4.

This marks our second collaboration with him. Following last year’s “Ho / Oh,” this piece was also created using the traditional Kyoto Buddhist altar and ritual object techniques of wood carving, lacquer work, and gold leaf application. We hope you will take a look.

Tsutaya Bookstore Nara
Address: 1-691-1 Sanjo-oji, Nara City, Nara Prefecture
Website：https://store.tsite.jp/nara/  

Kohei Nawa
http://kohei-nawa.net/
http://sandwich-cpca.net/

Production
Wood carving: : Sudoh Buddha Statue Scuptor
Urushi lacquer painting: Makino Urushi Design
Gold/platinum leaf applying: Kinpakuoshi Yamamura Co., Ltd.

Photo by Tsutaya Bookstore Nara official image

Trans-Sacred Deer (g/p_cloud)
2020
h1320 w1350 d435 mm mixed media

The image of the sacred deer riding a cloud as it descends upon the land of Kasuga is a symbolic motif in the art history of Nara; it represents the descent of Takemikazuchi-no-Mikoto—the deity enshrined in the First Hall of Kasuga Taisha’s Main Shrine—who rode a deer from Kashima to Kasuga.
“Trans-Sacred Deer (g/p_cloud)” was created using the sacred deer from the “Kasuga Sacred Deer Relic Shrine,” believed to have been produced during the Kamakura and Nanboku-chō periods, as its motif. The data was generated using a 3D system, and the piece was crafted using traditional techniques such as wood carving, lacquer work, and gold leaf application.
The divine deer itself takes on a cloud-like form, and enshrined atop the saddle on its back is a flaming jewel resting on a lotus throne. It appears in the present world as if summoned by a divine messenger, transcending the passage of time.