Apr. 25, 2015 | By Simon
Along with being used to create rapid prototypes of products that will soon be in our pockets and on our table tops in the not-too-distant future, 3D printing has become a remarkable way of recreating relics from the past that would otherwise be off-limits behind a pane of glass at a museum or otherwise untouchable. Of course, these relics can additionally be taken a step further and, with the help of modern CAD software, can be redesigned into entirely new objects. Such is the premise behind a recent competition that was recently hosted by i.materialise Japan.
For the “Kabuto Design Challenge”, participants were asked to “rediscover kabuto” - also known as Japanese samurai helmets - using additive manufacturing technologies.
In order to help inspire the samurai helmet designers, i.materialise Japan enlisted the help of mixed-media artist and competiton juror Russ Ogi to develop a unique pair of 3D printed kabuto inspired by Raijin and Fujin, the Japanese gods of thunder and wind.
Ogi began his process by looking for a common theme between the two inspiration sources. Although he knew that he would be creating two separate objects, he wanted to ensure that they could be shown together as a pair.
With this in mind, he looked at themes centered around twins and Japanese characters to help formulate his final design direction. Additionally, he stayed away from any modern influence in favor of images that reflected what life was like back in the era where kabuto was worn regularly.
“As I researched, I learned that Raijin, Japanese God of Lightning and Thunder, and Fujin, Japanese God of Wind, are often seen together,” said Ogi.
“With this strong cultural connection, this pair stood out as a good theme for this project. Raijin and Fujin have already been depicted in many paintings, sculptures, tattoos, etc. The challenge became creating a fresh take on these figures while keeping them recognizable.”
Using distinctive individual traits from both Raijin (drums) and Fujin (the bag he carries the wind in), Ogi began the process of creating the final designs that would then be 3D printed.
“For Raijin, the design element that came to me first was the ring of drums he uses to create thunder,” said Ogi.
“Instead of including a literal ring of drums attached to the back of the kabuto, I decided to incorporate the drums into the maedate (front crest) and fukigaeshi (ear-like wings) to imply the drums were floating in an arch.”
In addition, Ogi incorporated the tomoe symbol into the final design, which was a commonly-used motif during the era.
As for the Fujin kabuto, a single horn was used for the central feature.
“The hardest part of the design was deciding how to include the kazebukuro, Fujin’s bag of wind,” added Ogi.
“The bag has the appearance of an air-filled material bag – a softer, rounded form. However, for a war helmet, I wanted the maedate to have elements that were hard and forceful.”
Although Ogi added some additional final details to his kabuto pieces including armor and a beard, he found it challenging to create pieces that were free of color - something that he commonly uses in his technique to determine how pieces read visually.
“Without color, I also had to rethink some ideas on how to differentiate the two kabuto,” he adds.
“I did not want them to look entirely different; I wanted them to feel like twins. Not only like they came from the same universe, but like they belonged together as a pair.”
Although there are no announcements at this time about when or where the public can see the finished kabuto, it's quite clear that few things are cooler than a 3D printed samurai helmet!
Posted in 3D Printing Applications
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The bottom pic shows what look like physical helmets. The Raijin and Fujin helmets are renders. If 3ders.org is featuring CG renders there are better samurai helmets rendered on deviantart that show more actual artistic talent.
A. Ochoga wrote at 4/26/2015 12:31:51 AM:
These seem rather ordinary and dull compared to many of the 3D printed costumes we see nowadays.
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