Japanese toy brand SO-TA (State of the Art), known for its wide range of products from novelty items and realistic creatures to collaborations with various sculptors, recently announced the release of the latest entry in its "Imaginary Creatures Encyclopedia" toy series, created in collaboration with Japanese sculptor Ayumi Muramatsu (@ayumi_M580). The new release is the "Shikyu-ryu"! It is scheduled to launch in November 2023, priced at 500 JPY per capsule.
Within SO-TA's "Imaginary Creatures Encyclopedia" series, previous releases include "I: Ancient Armored Fish," "II: Divine Deer," "III: Romantic Phantom Bird," and the "Romantic Phantom Bird - Set Color Edition -" which we previously covered. This series not only allows collectors to acquire Ayumi Muramatsu's works at an accessible price but also consistently elevates the overall sophistication and intricate layering of the sculpting.
This time, the "Shikyu-ryu" (Shrine Dragon) combines the traditional Japanese architectural carving technique "Miyabori" (宮雕) used in temples and shrines with the form of a dinosaur, once again conveying Ayumi Muramatsu's mysterious stylistic charm and precise sculptural beauty! Beyond the familiar textures and carvings characteristic of Miyabori, the dragon's body scales, the organic feel of its leg claws, its tightly packed teeth, and the double-layered structure of its abdomen are all incredibly detailed. Furthermore, the dynamic, wave-like and smoke-like elements add significant visual tension to the figure! The name "Shikyu-ryu" indeed echoes the Miyabori technique infused into its design. This release features four color variations: Black Hinoki Dragon, Red Hinoki Dragon, White Keyaki Dragon, and White Fang Dragon, each possessing its own extraordinary allure – truly magnificent.
This time, SO-TA is also simultaneously releasing a blind box (box toy) version with the same dimensions but more elaborate painting. It features two designs: the "Cairan-ryu" (Vibrant Dragon), which highlights a colorful palette, and the "Sumizome-ryu" (Ink-Dyed Dragon), which showcases the charm of traditional ink wash painting. These are priced at 1,100 JPY. The editor personally adores the Sumizome-ryu, feeling it would be an absolutely superb item to display alongside stationery!
Imaginary Creatures Encyclopedia IV: Shikyu-ryu
Suggested Retail Price: ¥500 / capsule, ¥1,100 / box
Product Specifications: Approximately 20 cm in length, 8 cm in height. Gashapon version has 4 types, blind box version has 2 types.
Scheduled Release Date: November 2023
Source: SO-TA Co., Ltd. (Official)