nebuta

A 3D model of a nebuta float made using 3DS Max, Maya and Substance Painter.

In the initial days of 2019, I was in Japan with my family. We had intended to stay in Aomori city for only 2 days but due to difficult circumstances, we were there for over a week. During this time,I learnt about the amazing Nebuta festival that takes place in the first week of August. Through the festival, large floats made of paper, wax, ink and wire that are lit up from inside with hundreds of lights are paraded down the busy streets, followed by drums and dancers who chant ‘Rasse-Ra’.

The previous years’ floats can be found in the Nebuta Museum. They are extraordinary; towering over you with a warm glow. During one of my visits, a museum volunteer excitedly showed me a float made by the first ever nebuta-master: Asako Kitamura. I was inspired by her and these nebuta floats for my final project at college and made this 3D model render of my own Nebuta design.

research and development

A theme is chosen for each nebuta float, some depict Japanese/Chinese mythology, others depict important historical events or figures. In Kitamura’s float, she depicts a scene from the ‘Water Margin’, a Chinese mythology story. For my design, I chose an English legend, St. George and the Dragon; a nice mix of both my nationalities was the thought process.

some research pages

st. george designs

dragon and horse designs

final concept design

goldfish model

Goldfish nebutas are a common site in Aomori and are featured in a lot of souveniers. Using what I’d learnt from the museum and my research about the process, I had a go at making one for fun!

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