Gakyu Miyamoto

Wood sculptor

What lies beyond the sculpted form

Gakyu draws inspiration from millennia-old sculptures to create new representations of deities
The spiritual aspect of his work is rooted in his upbringing and traditional Kyoto culture
He finds a balance between tradition and innovation to fuel his creations

Gakyu Miyamoto shares that he has always had the craftsman’s temperament. "A pencil and a stack of leaflet papers were all I needed as a child. I would spend hours drawing on the blank side of the ads," he confides. Aware of his artistic gift and drawn to the idea of life in the spotlight, Gakyu initially pursued a path in fashion. He meticulously analysed muscle tones, skeletal structure, and the way garments move and drape through sketching. These observations all later came to serve for his skill as a sculptor. Gakyu's path took a sudden turn when he encountered the world of Buddhist sculpture restoration. Captivated by the artistry and timelessness of these statues, he decided to dedicate himself to this ancient craft. He also creates new works, showcasing his creativity with an updated sense of aesthetics.

Interview

How do you explain the two crucial, yet very different, components of your work?: In restoration, I try to restrain my artistic ego and restore the work to its original state. I am learning the technical aspects from my predecessors. In my new works, I can exercise my technique and aesthetic fully to meet client requests. It is crucial for me to know the past, in order to create something beautiful one or two thousand years later.
What is unique about your creative process?: I start carving from the face of the figure, though I know not many do. If I come to the point where I think the face looks good, I fix it and carve everything else to match the face. Seeing a good face appear gets me excited, and keeps me motivated and concentrated throughout the long process of carving the rest of the piece.
What do you consider to be a quality product?: I invest 120% of myself into everything I create, striving to deliver the best possible quality at every stage. However, because my sense of aesthetics evolves daily, I must continually hone my skills to keep up with—and surpass—my own standards. This chase between aesthetics and skill is a lifelong process.
What is your ultimate aspiration?: When I visit student exhibitions, I am always impressed by the teacher’s work, which showcases incredible technical skill. Yet, it is often the students' Buddha statues that move me the most. Though not technically perfect, their work carries a sense of divinity that goes beyond craftsmanship. That is the kind of creation I strive for—something beyond technique.

Gakyu Miyamoto is a master artisan: he began his career in 2006 and he started teaching in 2016