Unpacking from the move to Las Vegas, I discovered a long-lost book.  A beloved story from my youth. 

At 5 years old, some of my fondest memories were of my Mom reading stories to me.  A tradition passed down through generations.  It continues as I've watched my cousin read to her son.

One of those stories read to me was a Japanese folktale called "Momotaro".  The title translates to "Peach Boy". 

There are variations of the story, but the one I grew up with came from this 1972 Island Heritage book, illustrated by George Suyeoka.

In this version, an elderly couple wishes for a child of their own.  Their wish is fulfilled when a baby emerges from a giant peach they find.  The boy is hardworking and becomes a skilled samurai.

He eventually embarks on a journey to free his homeland from the tyranny of evil oni (Japanese ogres/demons).  On his journey, he befriends a dog, monkey, and pheasant.  Together they travel to a remote island to confront the oni.

They defeat the ogres and return the village treasure.

I remember asking my Mom to read me the story over and over again.  I was so inspired by the book that decades later, it became the inspiration for one of my samurai armor designs.

After finding it, I re-read the book looking at it through adult eyes.  The illustrations for the story were so ingrained in my memory that I remember details of the drawings.  I remembered the imagery more than I did the words.

That's why I became a visual artist I suppose.

Renderings of landscapes and waves felt reminiscent of Japanese woodblock prints.  But the illustrations display a fusion of aesthetics as characters had a distinct Hawaii style to their appearance.

I guess it's fitting that I chose this particular rendition of Momotaro to pattern my armor after since it's mix of Eastern and Pacific styles mirror the fusion of Eastern and Western aesthetics in my own art.

As I reflected on the book's artwork, I noticed how violent the story was.  There was mention of the oni who "rob and torture and kill" villagers and a description of the dog who "bit off the guard's heads".

A bit graphic for a modern children's book?

Maybe I'll ask my cousin if she thinks the story is too violent to read to her 5 year old.  But I turned out ok - I think.

If you'd like to read more about my Momotaro armor design inspired by this book click here.

In the coming weeks, I'll be starting to 3D print a full-size version of my Momotaro armor with the help of my friends at Lulzbot and 3D Fuel.  Stay tuned.

The artist proof is currently on display at 3D Fuel headquarters in North Dakota.

Please share your favorite folktale you grew up with in the comments below.

A hui hou.

It's been a while since I've posted a blog or updated my social media.  What happened to me?

Between my chronic fatigue and the pandemic, I ended up in a period of productive hibernation.  But I spent the last couple of months dusting off the cobwebs preparing to get the creative wheels turning again.

However, I find myself dusting off the cobwebs in a different place.  Not just mentally, but physically.  I no longer reside in Hawaii...

After my trip to Washington state and appearance at the Kauai Comic Convention in 2019, the chronic fatigue shut me down for a few months.  I spent that time contemplating my future.

Several years ago, I realized my artistic future wasn't in Hawaii.  A fact staring me in the face. But, for me to leave, I had to overcome two major hurdles.

The first hurdle was the internal struggle. 

I would give up the only home I've ever known.  Live far from friends and family.  The closest destination for my plans was over 2,500 miles away.  And the culture in the islands is very different from the mainland or anywhere in the world for that matter.  How would I adjust to another lifestyle?  Could I adjust?

My second hurdle was external factors: the timing and my health.

Even if I set my mind on venturing beyond my tiny home in the middle of the Pacific, the situation had to be right for me to leave.  I previously had ties and familial responsibilities that kept me in the islands.

As time went on, circumstances changed, but my health declined.  Nerve damage and chronic fatigue took their toll.  Over three years of recovery, and I finally felt strong enough to consider moving from Hawaii.  Then the pandemic struck.  Throwing the world for a loop.

Hawaii is a double-edged sword.  What makes it so beautiful and unique is also what makes it difficult and unforgiving - its isolation.

So after some soul and internet searching, the decision was made to leave the eight islands in the middle of the Pacific and move to the 9th island...Las Vegas.

The questions facing me turned from "do I leave" to "when do I leave?"  Do I wait for the pandemic to pass?  If I wait, what can I do creatively while I wait?  Or, do I leave when it seems safe enough?  I chose the second option.

When I tell people that I moved from Hawaii, I usually get one of two responses.

"Why would you want to leave Hawaii?" or, "Yeah, makes sense."  It all depends on who I'm talking to.  Hawaii people usually give me the latter response.  Islanders understand the price of living in paradise.

Now that I'm in Las Vegas, what's next?  Resuming my relationship with old friends at 3D Fuel.  And starting a new relationship with LulzBot. 

I'll be posting updates here on my blog and on social media with details on my sponsorships with 3D Fuel and LulzBot.  Please follow me on Facebook, Twitter and Linkedin to the right.  Stay tuned...

Till next time, a hui hou. ​

Along the way, he meets 3 sentient, talking animals, a dog, a pheasant, and a monkey. He befriends them by offering some of his Mother's kibidango (millet dumplings) and they vow to travel with Momotaro and help him defeat the Oni. On the last leg of their journey, they must cross the ocean to get to Oni Island.

My armor design depicts Momotaro's origins, the animals he encounters, and his mission to defeat the Oni.

At the center of the maedate (crest) sits the peach and on either side a peach leaf.  Each leaf is designed to resemble the wavy blade of the Kris knife. ​

Again a big shout out and thanks to my sponsors 3D Fuel for this project. 

In the upcoming weeks, I'll be building a half-scale artist's proof.  Please follow me on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook for in progress pictures and updates.  The completed artist's proof will debut at the inaugural Kauai Comic Convention on July 8, 2019.   Following that, I'll be constructing a full-size version of the armor.

In the meantime, check out 3D Fuel's line of 3D printing filament.  For this project, I'll be using their Pro PLA line.
I would love to hear your thoughts about this design in the comments below.

Till next time, a hui hou.

In retrospect. 2018 was a transitional year for me. It was a year spent finding ways to cope with chronic fatigue due to nerve damage from the shingles virus almost two years ago.

It was a year of finding ways to put my life back on track. The first half of the year was largely trying to stay stress-free and give my body time to hopefully recover.

Of course, no matter how hard you try, life is never stress-free.

Somewhere during that time, I began a resto-mod of my Tombo Kabuto, preparing it for its new home at the second location of a Hawaii themed restaurant, Kona Kitchen, coming soon to Lynnwood, Washington.

Both locations are owned by actor Yuji Okumoto, who played one of my favorite childhood bad guys...Chozen from the Karate Kid Part II.

More on that project soon.

Toward the latter half of 2018, I reconnected with some friends at 3D Fuel. 
3D Fuel produces 3D printing filaments to meet a variety of needs including high impact PLA and unique composite materials made from hemp, coffee, and beer.

John and Carl (3D Fuel) and I discussed sponsorship possibilities. Timing was good, I was just getting back on my feet and back to work.

3D Fuel's sponsorship also provided an opportunity to pick up on a project that has been on hold since 2016 because of family health issues...the Momotaro Armor. Its design is inspired by the Japanese Folk tale "Momotaro" my Mother read to me as a child.

A big thank you to my new sponsors.  John and Carl, thank you for making this happen and I'm looking forward to awesome creations with 3D Fuel.

Great people, great products.  Please check them out at www.3Dfuel.com.

I'll follow up soon with more about the inspiration behind the Momotaro Armor and a reveal of the design itself along with details of what's to come.

In the meantime, check back here on my blog for updates on all my projects and follow me on Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter where I'll be posting progress pics of the Tombo Kabuto.

Till next time, a hui hou.

I decided to use this as the knot on the shoulders of the model. I managed to find both video and diagram instructions on the creation of the knot online.

The cords provided with the kit were a bit short for an agemaki. Understandable since they weren't intended for that type of knot.

The agemaki usually have, and look better with, longer tails with full tassels at the ends.  Pictured to the left is how my knots ended up.  Perhaps down the road, I'll change the existing cords for longer ones.

The knots are one of the elements of traditional Samurai armor that I probably would never have looked into had I not started this project.  It led me to learn more about knot tying, their variations, and their meanings.

After working with the agemaki on the Masamune armor, I'm interested in including knots on some of my future armor designs to add another level of traditional aesthetic.

Anyone knowledgeable in knots especially as they relate to the Samurai armor please leave a comment below.​