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Unless otherwise specified, all item prices and release dates are for Japan only.
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Behind the Tamashii |
No.1 Sculptor Takayuki Takeya(Part One) |
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"Behind the Tamashii" is a window into the lives of the professionals who make collectors' toys. These products spring to life thanks to the hard work of everyone involved in the development process: planning,design,sculpting,prototyping,tooling,package design,photography,and advertising. These interviews will explain and showcase their approach to their work,their struggles and their personal favorite projects. It's a rare opportunity to learn about what inspires these creative individuals behind the scenes.
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In this,our very first installment,we interview renowned Japanese sculptor Takayuki Takeya,perhaps best known for his S.I.C. sculpts. 2008 marks the tenth year since Takeya's debut,the"S.I.C Vol.1 KIKAIDER." Thanks in large part to his efforts,the S.I.C. series has grown to into a world-famous series; more than a few foreign collectors even make trips to Japan just to purchase his works. To mark his ten year anniversary with the series,plans are underway for an unprecedented overseas S.I.C. event. Stay tuned for more details.
When we visited his studio in Tokyo,we were relieved to learn that rumors of his gentle disposition were completely true. We conducted the interview in an open,friendly atmosphere,and our talk was often was punctuated by laughter. Takeya's sharing attitude and words gave us some rare insight into what drives artistic excellence.
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 S.I.C. VOL.1 KIKAIDER |
| Childhood Years |
When I was a little kid,it was all about Ultraman and Godzilla. By the time I reached Elementary School I liked Kamen Rider. But I really didn't play with toys much after that. Growing up in the countryside in Hokkaido (Japan's northernmost island),there really weren't many toys to be had. The only place to find toys was in the toy aisle of a local stationary shop... That was about it. I guess my friends and I really didn't play with toys all that much.
I read a lot of manga. Our relatives lived next door,and whenever I'd go over I'd read the weekly manga magazines they subscribed to. I liked [Shotaro] Ishinomori a lot at the time. He created Kamen Rider,you know. And I also followed the short illustrated stories by Fujio Fujiko and Osamu Tezuka in magazines aimed at a younger crowd. I liked to draw and to make things from clay. And since we had a lot of snow in the winters in Hokkaido,I used to make things out of snow,too. As for character-related art... Well,I 'd make little Robocon characters out of clay. Actually,I think I eventually made all of the robots in the series! (Laughs)
I read the Robocon manga and watched the live-action TV series,but you know,the approaches were totally different. The manga had a real Seventies feel to it. When I made my own versions of the characters I'd sort of use the best parts of both approaches. I guess that's about the only thing that's still the same about me today (laughs).
I don't think that I became a sculptor because of manga and TV,but I guess they were significant factors. I know a decent amount about manga,but I wouldn't say that I am an expert on the subject or anything.
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 Takeya's studio can be found in an alley with a distinct 'shitamachi' old-school Tokyo feel.
 The studio looks like something out of Japan's past.
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| Interests |
 I am interested in old things,such as ancient tribal tools. I'm sure that has quite a bit of influence on my work. I also love comparing antique and modern photographs. If I had owned a camera when I was a child... I really wish I could have taken lots of photos back then. Of course,even if I had a camera,I probably wouldn't have taken photos with a such a serious mindset at the time. And I also enjoy comparing old and new maps. Sometimes I really enjoy getting my hands on an old map. I'm sure that sounds totally boring. (Laughs) But I suppose more than just old things,I like watching how something changes over the years. That's what I enjoy.
My hobby is photography. Most of my photos are used as reference materials. I guess I just like old broken stuff! (Laughs)
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| Favorite Movies and Music |
 I love science fiction movies. Like Blade Runner. But that's kind of a given.
I couldn't go to the movies all that much as a kid because of where we lived,in Hokkaido. And I didn't have a whole lot of pocket money when I was a high school student. I still don't watch movies all that much. Hey,you wouldn't happen to have a copy of those new Kamen Rider movies,would you? (Laughs)
The other day I watched"24" for the first time. I couldn't stop watching. The only thing that stopped me was the fact that they didn't have any more episodes at the video store!
I've also been watching the TV series"House,M.D." I really envy the protagonist's ironic,confident approach to life.
Sometimes I listen to music when I'm working in the studio. But most of it isn't anything particularly new. My current favorite is"Beyond the Century" by Adiemus. When I listen to her lyrics,it sounds like they're saying"Takeya,haven't you finished yet?" so I tend to listen to this song whenever I have a deadline approaching.
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| Influences |
I've been influenced by a lot of different things,but particularly by Akira Yamaguchi's paintings (he even brought one of his artbooks over to show me). I guess you'd call it more"emotionally moved" than"inspired" - to the point where I just want to tell him (and I mean this as the highest praise)"you've done it! You can go ahead and die now!" I'm joking. Really. (Laughs) But seriously,that's the degree of awe his works inspire in me. He is really amazing.
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| You said you like old,broken stuff. Does this give you work a dark image? |
No matter how hard I try,I just can't seem to make anything that looks cheerful. (Laughs) My father was mainly a fisherman,but he also hunted in the winter. He'd trap tanuki (raccoon-dog) and fox. I'd often watch while he skinned them. It was a totally normal part of life for me. I have this vivid memory,maybe when I was 5 years old. A friend and I spotted this seal caught in a fishing net,and we watched from a little distance away,thinking,"he's so cute! Maybe I can take him home and keep him as a pet." Then my father tromped over and shot it with his gun! It was pretty shocking to see as a kid.
But I guess you could say the build up of those kinds of experiences did in some sense make me the person I am today.
To be continued...
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 A work in progress spotted on his worktable during the interview.
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Takeya Takayuki
Born in 1963 in Hokkaido. Visual designer for toys, movies, magazines, and video games. Principal designer of the S.I.C. series. A compilation of photos of his creations, Ryoshi no Kakudo ("Angles of Hunters") was published by Hobby Japan in 1999.
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