Kenichi Asano is a contemporary sculptor who began his artistic career after studying fine arts in high school, sculpture at university, and working in Buddhist statue restoration.
At the core of his work lies the theme of “possession” and “integration,” rooted in Japan’s traditional performing arts. The solemn atmosphere he felt as a child visiting temples and shrines—the mysticism and tension born from prayer and reverence—remains his original landscape.
Starting with his early representative work Nōkaku, he explored the possibilities of bodily expression through martial arts, a personal passion. Through Buddhist statue restoration, he mastered classical techniques such as wood carving, lacquer, and animal glue, incorporating traditional craftsmanship into his own expression. Influenced by the culture of mechanical puppets (karakuri ningyō) inherited in Owari, his work evolved into moving wooden sculptures using ball joints and strings. Eventually, he boldly integrated modern technology into wood carving with works such as the motor-driven tea-serving doll Denpashiki and Bujin No.1, which incorporated a camera to attempt visual unification.
His activities were recognized early on, being selected for the 13th Taro Okamoto Award for Contemporary Art and receiving the Enku Prize at the 8th Enku Grand Award Exhibition, among many domestic and international exhibitions. Particularly in the “Yorishiro Project” at Shimogamo Shrine, he reconstructed the object of divine possession in a contemporary form, clearly presenting his central theme.
These works themed around “possession” merge the spirituality of traditional performing arts with elements of pop culture, sublimating them into contemporary art.
As an attempt to bring this concept into everyday life, he began creating silver accessories. The Shimenawa Bracelet series, among others, embodies both sculptural craftsmanship and spirituality, developing as “wearable sculptures” that transcend mere decoration. Returning to the original meaning of silver accessories, these works embody the power of protective bracelets and talismanic silver, giving form to the wearer’s protection and prayers.
