I’ve had a number of Mitsufuji Tasuku’s creatures in the past including kaibutsu (mythical beasts) figures as well as water droppers shaped not only in the form of kaibutsu but also as cats, wolves, and dogs. These “kaiju” don’t serve a practical function and instead give Mitsufuji the opportunity to use clay for sculpture.

Mitsufuji chose to study painting and drawing at art school in Osaka, including the art of manga under one of Japans best known artists. Illustration and caricature make their way into Mitsufuji’s work in many ways. But with his creatures, he taps into his love for expressive characters. 

Kaiju are best known in Japan as stars of science fiction movie monsters. Godzilla, Mothra, Rodan, Gamera have been used to channel contemporary fears such as the atomic bomb, ecological and natural disasters. While Mitsufuji's creatures might have a reptile’s body, their faces are human. Wide and expressive, the faces resemble those found in his colourful paintings and drawings. 

I recall reading in an interview that many of Mitsufuji's drawings contain self-portraits, and maybe these beasts do too. 

Comes with the signed, stamped, and titled wood box, stamped wrapping cloth, and CV.