Cheek Armor Cup, Hawk Form, Bronze

Among Koga's works, the highly popular Hoyoroi-hai (Cheek-Armor Cup) series takes the kawari-kabuto (eccentric helmet) of Sengoku warlords as its motif, expressing the way of life and spirit of these men.

"The present age is truly one of gekokujo," says Koga.
As social media developed and everyone came to hold a voice, an era emerged in which one's own will to aim high and courage to speak up mattered more than one's origin or hometown. Within this worldview, {Hoyoroi Sakazuki} takes the kawari-kabuto (distinctive helmets) of Warring States warlords as its motif, expressing the human way of life and spirit — an encouragement for today's high-minded warriors living in the present.

This work draws inspiration from the swift, valiant image of the hawk, or from the armor of the crow tengu. It depicts the fur of the cheek area streaming upward toward the sky, mouth open wide as it cries out and intimidates its opponent.

This piece is the first bronze model of the 'Hawk Form.'
This bronzeware-like expression uses an original "bronze glaze" that Koga spent two years developing. It is distinguished by a deep coloring that recalls the weight of centuries, as on a bronze vessel from before the common era.