Cheek Armor Cup, Hawk Form, Crimson

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 its inspiration from the swift, valiant image of a hawk, or from the armor of the crow tengu. The fur along the cheeks streams upward toward the sky, the mouth opened wide as if crying out to intimidate its foe.

This piece is the red model of the 'Hawk Form.'
Evoking a warrior's “red armor” (akazonae), its deep tones achieved with bengara and other pigments are beautiful.