OBAKE “UN”

STILLIFE No.17
W460 × D460 × H840 mm
2021, Edition of 3+1
Collected: SOMEWHERE TOKYO

今様のへんげ、お化け提灯「吽」A Japanese Lantern morphing into
a modern OBAKE “UN”

　日本には、長い年月を経た古い道具に魂が宿り「妖怪」や「お化け」といった精霊にへんげするとされるアミニズム信仰があります。その存在は日常の闇に潜み、時に恐怖をもたらし、時には楽しませることもあります。この提灯は古道具ではありませんが、製作している「小嶋商店」は京都で１０代目の兄弟が受け継ぐ歴史ある工房です。今では珍しく、提灯を竹骨から紙張り、絵付けまで一気通貫で作り上げています。その丁寧に一貼り一貼り作り上げられる日本の灯りを現代的でポップにへんげさせました。それは、闇に潜む妖怪ではなく、阿吽像のように私たちを見守ってくれる守り神のような現代のお化けです。

Traditional Japanese folk tools and antiques that are considered “obsolete” in this day and age. However, we can feel and appreciate the passing of time through these old artifacts. I’m inspired by the‘spirits’ these old tools carry and try to bring about a change in attitude. Emphasizing the contrast between the old tools, characterized by their deep textures and atmospheres not present in mass-produced products, and modern industrial materials such as brass and glass. Brought together and combined in a classical yet sophisticated new form. By reinterpreting these “old tools” in a contemporary way, a change occurs that transforms the object into a “more attractive tool”.
>> Description Sheet

Red eye: OBAKE “A” / Blue eye: OBAKE “UN”

　一つ目お化けたちが表す「阿吽」の表情はサンスクリット文化を起源にしています。口を大きく開く赤目の”A”は、「真実」と「探求の精神」を意味し、口を閉じた青目の「UN」は、「知恵」と「涅槃」を意味します。「A」と「UN」を一対と見なすことで宇宙の始まりから終わりまでを表しているという考え方もあります。

These one‐eyed OBAKE have a meaningful look that originated in ancient Sanskrit culture. The red-eye “A [a]” is the facial expression that is the first pronunciation to make a sound in Sanskrit, which means “truth” and “spirit of inquiry” at the same time. The blue-eyed “UN [hūṃ]” expresses the pronunciation to close the sound, and at the same time means “wisdom” and “nirvana.” There is also the idea that describing the beginning and end of the universe is represented by considering the “A” and “UN” as a pair. In Asia, it is a common sight to see a pair of guardian statues with the expression “A-UN” placed at the entrance of temples and shrines.