All things have spirits, gods and nature are united as one, the art of woodcarving is full of spirituality — Yoshimasa Tsuchiya

The Japanese sculptor Yoshimasa Tsuchiya was born in Kanagawa, Japan in 1977. After graduating from Tokyo University of the Arts with a major in sculpture in 2001, he continued to study for a master degree in conservation sculpture in the same graduate school and finally obtained his doctorate in 2007. As one of his creative projects, Tsuchiya created various mythological sculptures from Japanese folklore.

“Regardless of the historical truth, the myth has been passed down from generation to generation so that we can keep in touch with each other.”— Yoshimasa Tsuchiya

The posture and spirituality of living creatures have always been the creation theme of Yoshimasa Tsuchiya. The clear and milky white animal sculptures are full of spirituality, like myths, they come and go freely as if the artist entrusts them with soul and magic. Traditional Buddha sculptures have gentle curve and dignified form, the artist learned this traditional technique when he was a student. Most Japanese Buddha statues are made of wood and the eyes are made of crystal, he also borrowed this technique to create new things. Under the guidance of his teacher Takashi Fukai, he began to create animal wood carvings after experiencing the charm of the “sacred deer” statue in Kozan-ji Temple. He utilised traditional Buddha sculpture techniques to create animals such as deer, fox, cat, dog and beasts, crystals are used to make their eyeballs, displaying the form of his works in a minimalist way. They almost have no colour at all, yet the state is so tender, poise and full of spirituality. The almost lifelike spiritual animals are exquisite and delicate, but they reveal a sense of mystery, which is suffocating. Through his extraordinary sentiments towards the myths in Japanese culture, Tsuchiya bestows his sculptures with the agility of life, mysterious yet grace.