Samurai

Samurai warrior armoury and helmet. As part of an exhibition of Japanese Icons, Old and New, this is the subset of Traditions - Old. Work is all made from layers of paper including Japanese Washi paper cut in shapes to reveal the design. The colours in this artwork reflect traditional Japan, earthy browns, ochre, golds. It is a striking piece and a conversation starter. The samurai were an elite military class of soldiers and officials in Japan originating around the end of the 8th century and remaining until the end of the Edo period in 1868. Samurai armour changed over the centuries in some details and materials but remained similar in design.
Made from black-lacquered iron plates tied together, the armour was flexible, allowing free movement. The armoured skirt, called a kusazuri, shields the thighs, while the arm coverings are made of chain mail with silk. The helmet, or kabuto, with its moustache, was designed to strike fear into the enemy.

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Robyn Cottew is a qualified Interior Designer, whose career has taken many turns. After working as a commercial Interior Designer for 10 years in Melbourne and London, she moved into sales and marketing of commercial furniture.
Robyn spent six and a half years living in Japan in Yamagata Ken, and in Tokyo. She travelled extensively through Japan during that time and is fascinated by Japanese culture and crafts.
Robyn set up a web shop selling unique and high quality Japanese designed goods which otherwise don’t get global exposure.
In Tokyo she met Yamamoto Hiromi san, who taught her Japanese Paper Cutting Art. Yamamoto San’s style is a unique version of kirigame (traditional paper cutting), and Robyn became an assistant teacher under her guidance.
Yamamoto San taught Robyn about Japanese culture through the designs used in her lessons.
Robyn has been practicing Japanese Paper Cutting art for twelve years. She uses Japanese washi paper and chiyogami (patterned paper), coloured paper, fabric, sequins and diamantes.
Robyn has taken workshops at Malvern Artist’s Society, Fuji Tei Restaurant, Wesley College, Kami Japanese Paper shop in Fitzroy, Guild of Objects, Moonee Valley Racecourse Chinese New Year festival, Box Hill Community Centre . Her work has been exhibited at the Japanese Consulate in Melbourne, the Japanese Festival in Box Hill, in Fuji Tei Restaurant St Kilda and Glen Eira Town Hall Gallery.
Many of the works listed here are from her exhbition "Icons of Japan". A journey through the traditions, culture and icons of Japan, seen through this unique Japanese cutting art using traditional Japanese papers.
Japanese cultural identity explored through the themes of Old and New: Traditions; Architecture and Gardens; Festivals; and Icons.
My works capture the popular icons of Japan, but also the lesser known.