
People have been blown away by the beauty of the whales and their intricate submerged worlds.
Graduating students from Tokyo University of the Arts held their final exhibition recently, and there was one display that caught everyone’s attention: “Samsara” by Isana Yamada. Having studied for two years to earn his master’s degree in design, Yamada showed off his skills with the creative piece, which visitors described as whales “floating” through the air.
卒展1日目が無事終わりました!沢山の方々にご覧いただけて嬉しいです!
— 山田勇魚 現代付喪神作家 (@yamadaisana) January 26, 2016
1000枚もあるし、どうせ余るだろうと調子に乗って配っていたら初日でチラシ300枚減りました∑(゚Д゚)増刷せねば pic.twitter.com/FHtWRGJj0u
The piece is called Samsara, the endless cycle of death and rebirth, as it explores the theme of Buddhism’s Six Realms, with each whale representing one of the posthumous paths towards reincarnation.
卒展1日目が無事終わりました!沢山の方々にご覧いただけて嬉しいです!
— 山田勇魚 現代付喪神作家 (@yamadaisana) January 26, 2016
1000枚もあるし、どうせ余るだろうと調子に乗って配っていたら初日でチラシ300枚減りました∑(゚Д゚)増刷せねば pic.twitter.com/FHtWRGJj0u
Inside the whales are beautiful submerged worlds, with submarine volcanoes, sailing ships, and a sea of clouds all contained within.
上野の芸大卒展。一番気に入ったのはこれかな。樹脂封印オブジェはイロイロあるけどクジラってのがイイ。フォトジェニックな逸品
— 無尽探査機 (@muzintansaki) January 30, 2016
芸大卒展:山田勇魚 輪廻 pic.twitter.com/xBI8MiV0xE
上野の芸大卒展。一番気に入ったのはこれかな。樹脂封印オブジェはイロイロあるけどクジラってのがイイ。フォトジェニックな逸品
— 無尽探査機 (@muzintansaki) January 30, 2016
芸大卒展:山田勇魚 輪廻 pic.twitter.com/xBI8MiV0xE
藝大卒展なう。山田勇魚さんの雲海くじらさんを見てきました。色んな角度から覗き込み堪能をば。6体のくじらは輪廻を表しているとの事。画像では氷の様と思ったけど実物はまた違って見えました。海中の水の動きが音に聞こえそうな不思議な世界でした pic.twitter.com/TxJEazVIqt
— 朝倉さんちの蓮見@銀子 (@GinkoIroha) January 30, 2016
▼ The artist uses resin to create the life-like creatures.
藝大卒展なう。山田勇魚さんの雲海くじらさんを見てきました。色んな角度から覗き込み堪能をば。6体のくじらは輪廻を表しているとの事。画像では氷の様と思ったけど実物はまた違って見えました。海中の水の動きが音に聞こえそうな不思議な世界でした pic.twitter.com/TxJEazVIqt
— 朝倉さんちの蓮見@銀子 (@GinkoIroha) January 30, 2016
Yamada, who shares a special bond with his grandfather, recently shared a photo of one of the small-sized models which the artist sent him as a gift. He says the whale sparkles because his grandfather polishes it every day.
帰省したら祖父に贈ったクジラがめっちゃピカピカになってた。毎日磨いてるらしい pic.twitter.com/a0mq9OLXN5
— 山田勇魚 現代付喪神作家 (@yamadaisana) January 1, 2016
If you’d like to see more intriguing works from the talented designer, be sure to check out his website or follow him on Twitter. And if the whales have caught your attention, you’ll be able to see them in person at the Artcomplex Center of Tokyo, where his works will be on display from March 1-6.
上野の芸大卒展。一番気に入ったのはこれかな。樹脂封印オブジェはイロイロあるけどクジラってのがイイ。フォトジェニックな逸品
— 無尽探査機 (@muzintansaki) January 30, 2016
芸大卒展:山田勇魚 輪廻 pic.twitter.com/xBI8MiV0xE
Source: Grape
Top image: Twitter/@muzintansaki
Insert Images: Twitter/@isana0137, Twitter/@muzintansaki, Twitter/@GinkoIroha








Starbucks Japan releases first-ever Hinamatsuri Girls’ Day Frappuccino
Japanese drugstore sells onigiri at pre-stupid era prices, but how do they compare to 7-Eleven?
Japan Extreme Budget Travel! A trip from Tokyo to Izumo for just 30,000 yen [Part 1]
Japan has only one airport named after a samurai, so let’s check out Kochi Ryoma【Photos】
Fruits Basket and Ouran Host Club, two of the best reverse harem manga, going free-to-read online
Starbucks Japan releases first-ever Hinamatsuri Girls’ Day Frappuccino
Japanese drugstore sells onigiri at pre-stupid era prices, but how do they compare to 7-Eleven?
Japan Extreme Budget Travel! A trip from Tokyo to Izumo for just 30,000 yen [Part 1]
Japan has only one airport named after a samurai, so let’s check out Kochi Ryoma【Photos】
Fruits Basket and Ouran Host Club, two of the best reverse harem manga, going free-to-read online
Japanese restaurant chain serves Dragon Ball donuts and Senzu Beans this spring
7 great places to see Mt. Fuji from without having to climb it
Good Couples Day gets our Japanese writer thinking about international marriage differences
Kagoshima conveyor belt sushi chain Mekkemon rises above the rest with its special secret weapon
This Tokyo ramen restaurant is the first to ever receive a Michelin dining guide star
The 10 most annoying things foreign tourists do on Japanese trains, according to locals
Highest Starbucks in Japan set to open this spring in the Tokyo sky
Tokyo Skytree turns pink for the cherry blossom season
Starbucks Japan releases new sakura goods and drinkware for cherry blossom season 2026
Japan’s new “Cunte” contact lenses aren’t pronounced like you’re probably thinking they are
Shibuya Station’s Hachiko Gate and Yamanote Line stairway locations change next month
Yakuzen ramen restaurant in Tokyo is very different to a yakuza ramen restaurant
Starbucks Japan adds new sakura Frappuccino and cherry blossom drinks to the menu
Japan just had its first same-month foreign tourist decrease in four years
Burning through cash just to throw things away tops list of headaches when moving house in Japan
Japan’s newest Shinkansen has no seats…or passengers [Video]
Foreigners accounting for over 80 percent of off-course skiers needing rescue in Japan’s Hokkaido
Super-salty pizza sends six kids to the hospital in Japan, linguistics blamed
Starbucks Japan unveils new sakura Frappuccino for cherry blossom season 2026
Foreign tourists in Japan will get free Shinkansen tickets to promote regional tourism
Take a trip to Japan’s Dododo Land, the most irritating place on Earth
Naruto and Converse team up for new line of shinobi sneakers[Photos]
Is China’s don’t-go-to-Japan warning affecting the lines at a popular Tokyo gyukatsu restaurant?
Survey asks foreign tourists what bothered them in Japan, more than half gave same answer
Japan’s human washing machines will go on sale to general public, demos to be held in Tokyo
Starbucks Japan releases new drinkware and goods for Valentine’s Day
We deeply regret going into this tunnel on our walk in the mountains of Japan
Studio Ghibli releases Kodama forest spirits from Princess Mononoke to light up your home
Major Japanese hotel chain says reservations via overseas booking sites may not be valid
Put sesame oil in your coffee? Japanese maker says it’s the best way to start your day【Taste test】
No more using real katana for tourism activities, Japan’s National Police Agency says
Japanese restaurant chain serves Dragon Ball donuts and Senzu Beans this spring
7 great places to see Mt. Fuji from without having to climb it
Good Couples Day gets our Japanese writer thinking about international marriage differences
Kagoshima conveyor belt sushi chain Mekkemon rises above the rest with its special secret weapon
This Tokyo ramen restaurant is the first to ever receive a Michelin dining guide star
Stylish, green and eco-friendly modern urban village to be built in the heart of Tokyo by 2023
Stamina-destroying “Paralysis Noodles” are Tokyo’s newest over-the-top ramen innovation
Tokyo’s Shinjuku Station’s west side: Quite possibly best spot in Japan for Pokémon GO
The 5 best Iwate foods and drinks to buy at the prefecture’s antenna shop in Tokyo
Hey, 2020s kids! The ’90s have a sticker picture message waiting for you in Tokyo
Studio Ghibli anime stamps help seal your love for popular movie characters
Starbucks Japan unveils new Sakura Frappuccino for cherry blossom season 2025