A large 75mm(?) 3D print of a Japanese Warrior with a demonic head was given to me a few weeks ago by fellow wargamer Rob. The print itself is average with most of the layer marks open.
What could I use it for? The obvious was to paint it up as as an Ono or Yōkai.
Oni or Yōkai are supernatural creatures that are very much present in Japanese culture. The term yōkai can be translated as “spirit, demon or ghost.” Ever since the dawn of time, these malevolent or simply prankish spirits have been an inspiration to many artists in the Land of the Rising Sun. Since the Middle Ages, they can be found in paintings, sculptures, prints, and, more recently, in video games and mangas.
The model is a bit strange in that it is a typical Samurai warrior but with a demonic head, and no Yōkai I could find fitted that description. I decided not to get too hung up on the model and just paint it.
The detail was lacking to paint it up as a realistic red or blue demon and the Samurai dress did not match. In the end I decided to paint it up as a statue to adorn my Japanese temple.
Good choice going for a statue with that model. The print lines kind of work for it rather than against it as they would have done if painted organically.
Thanks that was the main reason I chose the statue.
Great choice Dave, filament prints aren’t great for organic models, and a strange looking concept as well, like you say the first I’ve seen with Japanese armour, except in one of the Ninja turtles movies ! LOL
Cowabunga dude