The Destruction of Tokyo - Artist Hisaharu Motoda

nihonga · (#1 (**permalink**))

Hisaharu Motoda is a contemporary Japanese artist who creates images of Tokyo in ruins. His prints of Shibuya, Shinjuku, Ginza, and other areas of Tokyo look like faded old photographs of the city in a future where Tokyo's buildings have crumbled, cars have rotted away, and everything lies dead or dying.

The artist imagines a post-apocalyptic Tokyo, and then creates it in his art. Here are some of the images. More are available at his official website.

Official Artist Site: Japanese Artist Hisaharu Motoda. Also, some info on the PinkTentacle blog.

These images are of Shibuya, Ginza, Kabukicho, Ameyoko.

Hoolan · (#2 (**permalink**))

Are they sketched?
They look so real

Katashi · (#3 (**permalink**))

Yeah, I remember watching, I think was a 6-part documentary on this artist or a similar artist, don't remem if its the same guy. Anyway there was no images taken or that survived the aftermath of WWII, so this artist who lived through and witness the events himself is drawing everything he saw to document it for their history!

I'm sure if search some torrent sites the videos should still be out there! They are a must see, but be warned that if u have such a love for japan as I do, the videos are major tearjerker!

EDIT: hmmm, don't think this is the same guy afterall, but anyway....should still watch what I mentioned above!

Kanji_The_Wanderer · (#4 (**permalink**))

Those drawings are so absolutely AMAZING! The Japanese are trully the best artists in the world.

I can only imagine how many hours it must have taken to draw all those.

IamKira · (#5 (**permalink**))

gees, I love them, not saying I like the subject.....but they are interesting, and very intricate....I love the style......they really do look like photo's....

Kanji_The_Wanderer · (#6 (**permalink**))

I still can't get over how unbelievably awesome these are!!!!!!!!!

I think my favorites is the first one, and last one.

Yamamato · (#7 (**permalink**))

I like the first one and second really, dunno they just seem more real than the last two, but all four are amazing done. I think i could get a general building shape and some windows down before messing it up

Snowblood · (#8 (**permalink**))

Jeez... they are so incredibly cool... how the heck did he do that?

jasonbvr · (#9 (**permalink**))

Quote:

Originally Posted by Katashi

Anyway there was no images taken or that survived the aftermath of WWII, so this artist who lived through and witness the events himself is drawing everything he saw to document it for their history!

EDIT: hmmm, don't think this is the same guy afterall, but anyway....should still watch what I mentioned above!

Tokyo looked nothing like that before or after WWII. The picture of Shibuya really gives it away with the Samsung billboard. I think this is creative rendition based off of current photos. I'll get a good pic of Shibuya, you'll see what I am talking about. I'll even try to find the right angle for you.

jasonbvr · (#10 (**permalink**))

I just went to his site too, and he has one of Tokyo Tower. Roppongi didn't even exist until after the war.