Wednesday 6 February 2019

Oni of Spite

hi all

yup more Oni action...

According to Chinese Taoism and esoteric Onmyōdō, the ways of yin and yang, the northeasterly direction is termed the kimon (鬼門, "demon gate") and considered an unlucky direction through which evil spirits passed. Based on the assignment of the twelve zodiac animals to the cardinal directions, the kimon was also known as the ushitora (丑寅), or "Ox Tiger" direction. One theory is that the oni's bovine horns and tiger-skin loincloth developed as a visual depiction of this term.[14][15][16]
Temples are often built facing that direction, for example, Enryaku-ji was deliberately built on Mount Hiei which was in the kimon (northeasterly) direction from Kyoto in order to guard the capital, and similarly Kan'ei-ji was built towards that direction from Edo Castle.[17][18]
However, skeptics doubt this could have been the initial design of Enryaku-ji temple, since the temple was founded in 788, six years before Kyoto even existed as a capital, and if the ruling class were so feng shui minded, the subsequent northeasterly move of the capital from Nagaoka-kyō to Kyoto would have certainly been taboo.[19]
Also, Japanese buildings may sometimes have L-shaped indentions at the northeast to ward oni away, for example the walls surrounding the Kyoto Imperial Palace have notched corners in that direction[20]
So this week, I give you the "Oni of Spite"

I painted him up in very dark colours, in contrast to brighter reds and yellows (and blue!) of the previous Onis.  This is because he looks a lot more sinister and death like, particular the cadaverous look and scythe like weapon.






The reds and blacks while simple looking, required several layers of highlighting.  The gold, I decided to make a rose coloured to add to the reds of the robes.  I picked out the skulls in the hair of the oni and painted it the same as the Oni's skull like visage. Finally I painted up the armour using a combination of metallic blue and pewter coloured paints, thanks to Bryan "Vampifan" and his beautiful rendition of the "Intruders" in the game Nemesis.

anyway, one more Oni to go and then I'll move onto the "Lucky Gods" expansion.

hope you enjoy 
dGG




20 comments:

  1. Very nice background Andy, the Oni looks great particularly the red robes are very well done

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    1. Cheers dude, I really liked the reds for this

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  2. I think that's my favourite Oni so far.

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  3. Andy, he looks great and the metallic blue armour works a treat.

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    1. Cheers Bryan, I love that pewter paint btw, thanks for the steer

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  4. I think these just get better and better!

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  5. I was looking at the Dixon Oni at the York Show on Sunday, I liked them a lot, but very different to these.
    Again a great paint job.

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    1. I think, like most folklore they come in all shapes and sizes based on local legends. The Oni in Bushido are also in varying sizes and are quite different again

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  6. Well, he does look like a nasty fellow, no mistake! Nicely done.

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  7. That is one vert evil-looking figure, i suspect you thoroughly enjoyed painting this one !

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  8. What a great looking figure! Top marks Andy.

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