Asahi, the tsukumogami lantern.

We begin this story with Asahi's final rendering.

The creature came to life during  "Character Design" and  "Maquette with Monster Clay" modules at Skyup's CG Masterclass .

Asahi the Tsukumogami lantern: Having awakened on its hundredth year of life, the Asahi lantern ( The name Asahi contains the " luminous" ideogram ) is ready to realize its greatest dream: to return the love and care received during all those years from its owners , opening an old Ramen shop in the middle world to host lonely and broken spirits. The drapes from the old Sato shop surround her waist using the same rope they used to display her outside the venue. In the initial idea, the noren curtains, which now form a sort of skirt/apron, read:"かたしはや、 えかせにくりに、 たまるしえひ、われしこにけり。" a prayer of protection recited in the Hyakky Yagyo (a group of monsters that appear in Japanese fairy tales); its name containing the character of luminous within it; the word お守り o-mamori (Japanese amulets) The Japanese word mamori (守り) means protection, while the honorific prefix o- gives the word an outward-moving meaning, therefore meaning "Your protection". The face resembles the ko-Omote mask. The hair is formed by 'intertwining of Shimenawa ropes that create the typical Geisha hairstyle. Still in the initial idea we can see that decorating the hair there are chopsticks with two shide. The shimenawa ropes also form the base of her body which ends in a bowl of Ramen : the last bowl used by Mr and Mrs Sato before closing the place and which is used to move by rotating on itself.

Asahi's pose reflects the essence of his "spirit": A bow with which Asahi welcomes every spirit.

The transition to Zbrush was accompanied by references to be able to model the volumes and understand how to render the materials. Each Pureref brings with it evolution and continuous study.

I am really proud to have taken the first step into a world that I look forward to discovering in its entirety

The sculpture was rendered and set up with Maya and V-Ray. The study of lights followed a reference to be able to take the first steps in a more rational way.

Thank you all for your attention.

I hope to return to these shores soon with more new skills to show you!