
The former member of the Japan Maritime Self Defence Force waited until he was 80 to reveal his artistic pastime.
After decades of stress and long days at work, the golden years of retirement are a chance to reconnect with lost passions and indulge in some long-forgotten hobbies. For one Japanese grandfather in Japan, this was the time to re-ignite his interest in wire art, unbeknownst to his grandson, who was shocked when his grandfather revealed a number of detailed sculptural pieces.
▼ Twitter user @samasamanga was totally unaware of his grandfather’s skill until now.
https://twitter.com/samasamanga/status/702132170387644416It seems his grandson isn’t the only person impressed with the wire art collection, as an acquaintance on Twitter also lavished praise on the sculptor.
▼ Small and large pieces sit proudly on display in a room inside the artist’s house. The collection features everything from figures to sailing ships and a few more imaginative creations.

▼ This wire sculpture depicts a straw-hatted, sword-carrying toseinin (travelling, yakuza-like gambler).

▼ By manipulating wires of different textures, widths and colours, all types of macabre, otherworldly characters cam be created.

▼ As the artist was a former member of the Japan Maritime Self Defence Force, it should be no surprised that grand battleships and navy-inspired themes are evident in the collection.

Despite having only recently picked up the hobby, this grandfather is already showing an immense amount of creative skill, with a number of offers from Twitter users eager to buy his works. With his grandson now one of his biggest fans, they’re planning to reveal more pictures of his wire creations soon on Twitter. We can’t wait to see the rest of the collection!
Source: Grape
Top Image: Twitter/@llIllIlllIlI
Insert Images: Twitter/@llIllIlllIlI

Minds blown by wire art that shows transition to from old Japanese era to new【Video】
Japan enters Golden Week vacation period, survey shows one in three plan to ride it out at home
Japan’s new Pokémon jackets give you the look and powers of the Kanto starter trio
Studio Ghibli releases new anime keychains that are like miniature figurines
Retro-style Evangelion T-shirts coming to Uniqlo sister brand GU[Photos]
Japan’s Mister Donut Japan tries its hand at Taiwanese-style street food donuts
Bandai cancels gacha/blind-buy system for anime cosmetics, will let fans choose what they buy
Only five branches of Japan’s beef bowl giant Matsuya serve milk shakes, but how do they taste?
Dorayaki from 89-year-old Japanese confectionery shop is one of the best sweets hidden in Tokyo
Live-action Ghibli Princess Mononoke stage play tickets are now on sale
Shinto shrine will bless your bike helmet and give you a sacred bike helmet stamp
New Kyoto Converse sneakers celebrate Japan with traditional kimono fabrics for your feet
Japan’s 5.3 million beautiful Hitachi Nemophila flowers are now in full bloom[Photos]
Tifa’s Final Fantasy VII bar is going to pop up in real-world Tokyo
Studio Ghibli launches huge new anime movie T-shirt collection with special design details
Brand-new Square Enix Cafe to open in Tokyo…and in Los Angeles too!
Japanese convenience store gives away free ice cream with creative ad at Shinjuku Station
Hello Kitty is now a transforming truck robot[Photos]
Japan reportedly adding Japanese language skill requirement to most common foreigner work visa
Pokémon and Ikea Japan cross over into each other’s worlds with collaboration events
Wisteria season starts early with blooming of Japan’s Great Wisteria in its beautiful garden
Japan’s best conveyor belt sushi restaurant of seven years ago has now, finally, come to Tokyo
Brand-new Pokémon manhole covers coming to help the recovery of a disaster-stricken part of Japan
Japan’s awesomely beautiful Alpen Route snow corridor is now open
Injuries on stairs in Tokyo highlight an overlooked design flaw
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
Starbucks Japan releases new sakura goods and drinkware for cherry blossom season 2026
Japan’s newest Shinkansen has no seats…or passengers [Video]
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