"Tales of the Shogunate" Art Contest Winners!

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Nemra
AB Asst Director
Posts: 1090
Joined: Sun Mar 11, 2007 7:06 pm

"Tales of the Shogunate" Art Contest Winners!

Post by Nemra »

For Anime Boston 2019's "Tales of the Shogunate" theme, we invited all artists to participate in our Art Contest. Rules for this contest can be found here

Entries were judged based on three criteria:
-Adherence to the 2019 theme of "Tales of the Shogunate".
-Creativity and Originality
-How well the artwork depicts the back story.

Judging was done by the Anime Boston Social Media Team, who organized the contest.

Below we have the Grand Prize Winner and Runner Up winner, followed by the ten Honorable Mentions. You may click on an image to it in our photo gallery.

We want to deeply thank all of the artists for your submissions. It's your participation that makes this Art Contest a success, and we will plan to continue holding it each year that we are able!
GRAND PRIZE WINNER
Image
Artist: Cindiq
Title: The Battle
Studio: Cindiq
Medium: Digital
Find Artist at: instagram.com/cindiq.art | cindiq.deviantart.com
Entry Backstory:
“The moment they drew their swords, the lords knew only one can stand victorious while the other lies in bitter defeat. “

The inspiration for the piece is based on war scrolls shōgun/warlords commissioned and preferred (I chose mostly pre-Tokugawa era), along with a hint of Japanese woodblock print style and shinto influences to set the tone. The long history of shogunate is one that is filled with power struggles, especially in the earlier days, and I want to present that in a scroll-style story piece.
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RUNNER UP
Image
Artist: Christian Angel
Title: Getting ready for battle.
Medium: Digital
Find Artist at: christian-angel.artstation.com/
Entry Backstory:
A skilled former drama performer that had a passion for acting and swordplay decided to take up arms for battle to defend the Shogunate. Their armor signifies the undefeatable might of the Oni character she portrays in the arts, as well as the beauty of the females she portrays in such such stories.
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HONORABLE MENTIONS – in no particular order
Image
Artist: Argama Witch
Title: Shiba-sengum-inu
Studio: Argama Witch
Medium: Digital
Find Artist at: instagram.com/argamawitch | twitter.com/argamawitch
Entry Backstory:
Protector of the Shogunate, the Shinsengumi, were also known as the dogs of the Bakufu. They are good puppers!
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Image
Artist: Stacey Wheeler
Title: Love and Honor
Studio: RISD Anime Club
Medium: digital and gouache
Find Artist at: swheeler@risd.edu
Entry Backstory:
After being seriously injured in battle and losing function of her arms while protecting the Shogun, this Onna-Bugeisha [female martial artist] is fitted with prosthetics far beyond their time. However, the prosthetics, as advanced as they are, deteriorate with every battle she fights. Determined to protect her family, honor, and beloved Shogun in this period of warfare, she binds her crumbling limbs once more and prepares for the battlefield, even if it means her body disintegrating.
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Image
Artist: Pegushi
Title: Shogun of the Sea
Studio: Pegushi
Medium: Digital
Find Artist at: pshi@risd.edu | pegushi.com
Entry Backstory:
Legend has it, a strange man covered in kelp rode a gigantic catfish at sea.

Many who wanted to hunt the fish as a prize were drowned by the catfish's waves. The rider felt bad for the drowning men, since he was once human too. So he transformed them into fish, to have a second chance at life. Many chose to become followers of the catfish rider for showing mercy. Slowly as the numbers rose, he named himself shogun, and ordered waves and waves of fish to push boats away from ever seeking him and his friend.
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Image
Artist: Selan Pike
Title: Ryu
Studio: Epicycle Studios
Medium: digital
Find Artist at: epicyclestudios.com | selan@epicyclestudios.com
Entry Backstory:
They appeared once in a generation, brighter than anything you’d ever seen. They weren’t a beast, but rather a force of nature. They were as unchanging as the mountains, as unrelenting as the sea, and yet their presence enveloped you like a gentle breeze. When they passed, disappearing into the night sky, you knew that you had been blessed.
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Image
Artist: Guinevere Reilly
Title: Tiger VS Ryoko-chan
Medium: Traditional ink and Photoshop PS6
Find Artist at: guineverereilly@gmail.com | guineverereilly.com
Entry Backstory:
Ryoko-chan is a young samurai, bestowed the typically unwanted duty of the never ending battle to protect delicious rabbit children from the demon tiger magician, Yoi. Although they are just rabbits, and battles against Yoi are long and perilous, Ryoko-chan considers any creature, no matter their status, worth her dying breath's effort.
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Image
Artist: Chumaruko
Title: Moonlit Strike
Medium: Digital
Find Artist at: chumaru.carbonmade.com | twitter.com/chumaruko/
Entry Backstory:
Even upon the eve of the impending new era, we the shinsengumi will be unwavering. We shall fight till the last moon of our final breath; unsheathing our swords only by the belief that we are the protectors of our country and lord. The last samurais: we shall win, or we will die.
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Image
Artist: Shattered-Earth
Title: Mounted Samurai
Studio: Shattered-Earth
Medium: Digital Illustration
Find Artist at: shattered-earth.com | lsusan@gmail.com
Entry Backstory:
Empires rise and fall for man and animal alike. While the drama of mankind unfolds in the background, nature also has it's own battles to play out in the grasses, trees, and waters all around us!
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Image
Artist: Danielle Sylvan
Title: A Journey to Edo
Studio: Danielle Sylvan
Medium: Digital
Find Artist at: daniellesylvan.com | daniellesylvan@gmail.com
Entry Backstory:
Let us embark on a journey to Edo, home of the Tokugawa Shogunate. After days of trekking the Tōkaidō Road, you glimpse the stunning sight of castles in the distance. With the Grand River to the East, and the towering Mount Fuji to the West, it's no wonder the Shogunate declared this beautiful city the capital of Japan. There's much to take in, but you've come a long way, weary traveler–so rest, and stay a while. I can guarantee you will enjoy what our great city has to offer.
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Image
Artist: illusions artwork
Title: Warlord Daycare
Studio: illusions artwork
Medium: Watercolor & ink.
Find Artist at: illusionsartwork.com | illusionsartwork@gmail.com
Entry Backstory:
Discerning Warlords only choose the best for their little warlord tykes! Whether it's counting to 20 or choosing the correct battle formation in a castle siege, Warlord Daycare provides the care and direction little aspiring military leaders need! Our Rising Sun Branch specializes in Daimyo, Shogunate and of course, Shogun leadership training. We cover everything from fighting in the field to commanding from headquarters and we always wash our hands before every meal. Consider enrolling your little one today!
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Image
Artist: Octo Star
Title: Built From Blood
Studio: Octo Star
Medium: Digital
Find Artist at: octo-star.com | Twitter @ juugatsuhoshi
Entry Backstory:
Countless years of death and destruction have led this man to his greatest achievement: the Shogun of a new era. Stoic and silent, he sits pensive at the riverside as he considers the conditions of his leadership. Visions of the fallen warriors cloud his scenery, haunting him as endlessly as the war that brought him here. His fate was written in blood, his nation established upon the pained souls of the deceased.
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Nabil Samuel

Assistant Director of PR

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Nemra
AB Asst Director
Posts: 1090
Joined: Sun Mar 11, 2007 7:06 pm

Re: "Tales of the Shogunate" Art Contest Winners!

Post by Nemra »

ALL OTHER ENTRIES – in no particular order
Image
Artist: SA (studio-adhd)
Title: Power at the Cost of Life
Studio: Studio-adhd
Medium: Digital
Find Artist at: studio-adhd.com | studioadhdbusiness@gmail.com
Entry Backstory:
A shogunate was the most fierce warrior in Japan, but being at the top meant sitting on a throne of the dead, and I was the king.
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Image
Artist: Hootles
Title: Reincarnation of Shibas
Studio: Hootles Art
Medium: Digital Art
Find Artist at: hootlesart.com | instagram.com/hootlesart/
Entry Backstory:
This piece is loosely based on a shogun that believed that he was a dog in his past life. He apparently owned over 50,000 dogs at the government's expense, and had serious love for dogs. I wanted to capture this shogun's daily tales with all these dogs. This is in no way an accurate portrayal of this shogun's actual tales, but it's fun to mix history with a bit of imagination.
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Image
Artist: Argama Witch
Title: Kisetsu no Hana (Flowers of the Season)
Medium: Digital Artwork
Find Artist at: facebook.com/argamawitch | instagram.com/argamawitch
Entry Backstory:
Two men on opposite sides of the law try to free an oiran from her contact. One man is a criminal ronin and her secret lover from long ago, the other man is her government loyalist brother. Each man is trying to save her from the yuukaku, full of dark government secrets and key in the opium trade. Can they rescue the oiran from her indentured servitude? Will the poor ronin ever see his lover again? Can they live freely together? Will the brother betray his strict oaths and risk death to save his sister?
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Image
Artist: Brownrabbits
Title: Traveler
Studio: Brownrabbits
Medium: digital
Find Artist at: brownrabbits.carrd.co | instagram.com/brownrabbitsart
Entry Backstory:
he walks on golden plains
sword in hand
haunted by past pains
as he protects the land
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Image
Artist: Mini Doodle Monkey
Title: Kyoko Waits
Studio: Mini Doodle Monkey
Medium: original Sculpey® brand clay, acrylic paint, and a clear gloss finish.
Find Artist at: minidoodlemonkey@gmail.com | twitter @mindoodlemonkey
Entry Backstory:
Kyoko is the youngest daughter of a rich merchant. She is eagerly awaiting the return of her beloved Kenjirou from his travels to the capital. Little does she know he is prepared to ask her hand in marriage as soon as they once more reunite.
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Image
Artist: Stacey Wheeler
Title: Restless Dragons
Studio: RISD Anime Club
Medium: Watercolor, pen and digital
Find Artist at: swheeler@risd.edu
Entry Backstory:
She labors over her commission to complete it on time, but it would be a lot easier if her paintings would stay on the paper.
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Image
Artist: Topaz Strange
Title: Tomoe Gozen
Studio: Topaz Strange
Medium: acrylic paint on canvas (20x24)
Find Artist at: topazstrange.myportfolio.com | Twitter @topazstrange21
Entry Backstory:
This is my tribute to Tomoe Gozen; lady samurai of the late twelfth century. I combined the inspiration of classic Japanese artwork with my own art-style and color palettes to create this painting. Pastels and bright tones depict a fierce figure ready for battle. A clear contrast harmonized within a single piece. Like the tomoe (a symbol of harmony akin to yin and yang) just behind our dear lady samurai.
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Image
Artist: Peachu
Title: Chains of Freedom
Studio:
Medium: Digital
Find Artist at: xpeachux.daportfolio.com | amarillest.tumblr.com/
Entry Backstory:
Women during the Edo Period possessed very few rights. Arranged marriage was common, and men were permitted to kill their wives due to disobedience. This caused women to often face abuse and hold little to no freedom during this time period. I wanted to highlight the struggles these women had to face in my piece. The woman I depict is shown crying over a vase of flowers by the name of Birds of Paradise, which symbolize freedom. The shackles on her wrist bound her to her society, and the flowers symbolize the rights she longs for and deserves.
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Image
Artist: Guilian Francis
Title: A Hero Rises
Medium: Digital
Find Artist at: guilianfrancis.tumblr.com | guilianfrancis@gmail.com
Entry Backstory:
Suehiro and Kokishin, twins of opposing moon and sun, grew to love what the other was meant to be. Kokishin of the sun desired to explore peace and serenity, while Suehiro wanted nothing more than to fight for her Emperor and village. When they told each other of their dreams, They decided to switch places. Suehiro took her brother's place as warrior, and became one of the best in the land. However, seeing the harsh ways Shogunate treated the people, Suehiro decided to stand up against them; her dream not seen until fairness was brought to her home.
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Image
Artist: John Nguyen from Maruchiverse
Title: Kazu no rekishi
Studio: Maruchiverse
Medium: Digital
Find Artist at: Maruchiverse.com | Maruchiverse@gmail.com
Entry Backstory:
High school student Kazu Yamamoto is one of the few people his age with an intense passion for military art and history. By chance, Yamamoto wins an ancient book as a prize for winning an international history competition. When he opens it, he’s suddenly transported to the Sengoku Era and finds that he has become the famous shogun who established what is now Japan. With the help of his two powerful generals and his own expertise in military arts, he begins his journey to become the greatest shogun of all time!
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Image
Artist: KatEye Design
Title: Blooming Sakura
Studio: KatEye Design
Medium: watercolor, ink, and digital
Find Artist at: kd.kateyedesign@gmail.com | instagram/tumblr @kateyedesign
Entry Backstory:
A Shogun rides off to battle, leading his men with honor to heed the Emperor's call.
A young Lady, as delicate and beautiful as the blooming sakura, must wait behind and simply wonder; when will her Beloved return?
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Image
Artist: Topaz Strange
Title: Old Monk and Ojizo Statue
Studio: Topaz Strange
Medium: Digital
Find Artist at: topazstrange.myportfolio.com | Twitter @topazstrange21
Entry Backstory:
The Jizo statue adorn many roadsides throughout Japan. Jizo-sama is the protector of travelers as well as small and unborn children. He has been adored and reverenced since even before the shogunate began. The old monk in the picture often comes to sit by the lonely statue and watch the travelers pass by. The old monk lost his younger brother when they were both young children. He hopes that by keeping Jizo-sama company, his brother won't be lonely in the next world. Even through the passage of time.
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Image
Artist: wintrchu
Title: Aurora
Medium: Digital
Find Artist at: Lauren.l.sheng@gmail.com | Twitter/Instagram @wintrchu
Entry Backstory:
This is a modern twist on the Edo Period samurais that were under the rule of their land’s Shogun. Three clans join forces to protect their land. The three clans are based upon the most outstanding characteristics of night and day: the Moon, Sun, and Stars. Each individual clan carries tales of how they have persevered through the roughest of times. However, when facing a fearsome foe, they finally realize that strength, when divided, only leads to a helpless struggle. With harmony between these three clans, they are able to fight back and pridefully defend their territory.
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Artist: Fantasm
Title: New Bridges - A Double Crossing
Studio: Fantasm
Medium: Digital
Find Artist at: fantasmshop.com
Entry Backstory:
In hopes of protecting the isle of Tashirojima, the Daimyō, Dai-meow, seeks an alliance with the Kitsune clan. But can these crafty foxes really be trusted?

The haiku reads:

“Kemono dewa,
Mikata no goui.
Mou kistu, ne.”


Translated to an english haiku:
“It is decided,
An alliance amongst beasts.
Tension already.”

There is a double meaning to the last line, which can also read “But I am already a fox”, betraying the true, mischievous intentions of the fox, who can be seen crossing his fingers behind his back as the deal is made.
___________________________________________________
Image
Artist: Maggie Dufresne
Title: Hopeful
Studio: Fox and Panda Studio
Medium: Watercolor
Find Artist at: maggieguillette@gmail.com | Instagram @maggles926
Entry Backstory:
Nakatomi Ryuji was born into a famous samurai family, but was born into the branch family. He showed much promise in his youth, but was kept from many opportunities because of his family status. Through much hard work, he has finally earned his chance at being recognized as a samurai. He looks out over the water, mentally preparing himself for battle.
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Image
Artist: KidyukaArt
Title: The Rabbits Wedding 兎の嫁入り(usagi no yomeiri)
Studio: KidyukaArt
Medium: Digital
Find Artist at: kidyuka.portfoliobox.net | m.kidyuka@gmail.com
Entry Backstory:
This drawing is based upon the stories of Shogun Minamoto no Yoritomo, his brother Yoshitsune, and Princess Kaguya of the moon. The woman is Lady Shizuka Gozen, a court dancer said to bring rain with her movements, and fiancée of Yoshitsune. Because of her ability, it’s thought that Shizuka may be connected to Kaguya. In ancient folklore Yoshitsune was killed by Yoritomo, though in this version of the story residents of the moon seek to steal away Lady Shizuka but are foiled by Yoshitsune, who is later turned into a rabbit out of vengeance by the moon folk and Yoritomo.
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Image
Artist: Tiffany Ciper
Title: Dragon’s Emperor
Studio: Epicycle Studios
Medium: Digital Vector
Find Artist at: epicyclestudios.com | tiffany@epicyclestudios.com
Entry Backstory:
Once upon a time, long ago a man seeking his future went to the Dragon’s mountain.
The dragon goddess was honored when the man knelt before her and presented his sword and offered his life of service to her.
She was so pleased by his humble offer that she granted him a wish so many had tried to demanded of her before.
“If you would bring honor to me for the rest of your days I will make you the lord of these lands until the end of this age.”
Their dynasty saw no end.
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Image
Artist: Remy Nunnehi
Title: The Geisha
Medium: Watercolor
Find Artist at: remynunnehi.com
Entry Backstory:
Loyalty. Courage. Honor. Samurai had their Bushido, the code they lived by. But what about everyone else? What about the geisha under the Tokugawa crest, forced to watch from the sidelines as people were cut down around her. What emotions does she conceal behind her fan?
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Image
Artist: Useros
Title: My Dearest
Medium: Digital Artwork
Find Artist at: patreon.com/useros | userosuniverse@gmail.com
Entry Backstory:
A goodbye. To my most cherished. To my lover. Go now. Server your Duty, Fight for Honor. Save what you must, at whatever cost. For your Friends, Family, the Village. Even if we must end here, by your blade... know this... You are My Dearest, in this world, and the next.
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Image
Artist: Monica Lu
Title: Threading into the Web
Studio: RISD Anime Club
Medium: Digital
Find Artist at: monica-lu.weebly.com
Entry Backstory:
A bewitching spider yokai has been trapping men into her web, thus the emperor has dispatched a powerful pair of female shoguns to fight her.
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Image
Artist: HelianthusCrown
Title: An Unlikely Hero
Studio: HelianthusCrown
Medium: Water colors
Find Artist at:
Entry Backstory:
The youngest son of a famous shogunate leader is roped into a plan devised by his older siblings to conceal their father’s declining health to the public. Because of his near identical appearance to that of their father, he is forced to become a stand in double. He demonstrates lackluster battle prowess compared to his older brother and subpar critical thinking skills far below his prodigy sister’s expectations. The siblings must work together in order to keep their father’s reputation alive… If only they weren’t always at each other’s throats.
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Image
Artist: Tiffany Ciper
Title: Kitsune and Ronin
Studio: Epicycle Studios
Medium: Digital Vector
Find Artist at: epicyclestudios.com | tiffany@epicyclestudios.com
Entry Backstory:
They had been married many years when he found out truth about his wife, but he loved her so dearly that when she ran from him that fateful night her ran after her. Declaring his love to her that no matter her true form his heart knew to whom it belonged. Knowing his wife would be in danger if her secret were ever exposed to anyone else he left the service of his master and wandered the land with his love.
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Image
Artist: Melonsquare Studios
Title: From the Theater
Studio: Melonsquare Studios
Medium: Digital
Find Artist at: instagram.com/melonsquare
Entry Backstory:
When I heard about this year's theme, I wanted to merge old shogunate style architecture with my own take on traditional clothing. I was drawn most to the theater houses from the shogunate era because of their complexity and design. The design of the characters was based on old paintings and modified to fit my style. Overall, I really enjoyed working on this piece because I was able to experiment with a world that was apart from my own.
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Image
Artist: Xiong Yang
Title: Legendary Tales
Studio: Starlight Red
Medium: Digital
Find Artist at: starlightred.com
Entry Backstory:
1609, Japan. The yokai roam the land, terrorizing humanity. Under the rule of the Tokugawa Shogunate, legendary warriors come together to form the secret Kiruyama clan. This clan consisted of magical warriors said to have been sent by Amaterasu herself to rid the land of monsters and demons. Their swords, bestowed with magical powers, struck down any beings who dare to stand against them. With the might of the Kiruyama clan, humanity fought back against the demons, leaving them as nothing more than myths and legends.
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Image
Artist: Laura Frick
Title: Ohaguro!
Medium: Digital
Find Artist at: laurafrick.com | laura@laurafrick.com
Entry Backstory:
During the shogunate periods, men of the imperial house of japan and married women often times painted their teeth black for beauty reasons, and it also helped protect from cavities. In poorer areas the custom was only done around special occasions due to the labor required for the process. The practice was called Ohaguro.
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Image
Artist: Hal Tedeschi
Title: Lady of the Lake
Medium: Ink and watercolor on watercolor paper
Find Artist at: Katamakrafts@gmail.com | tumblr/instagram @katamakrafts
Entry Backstory:
Depicted here is the Lady of the Lake, a water spirit who resides far from any civilization in the mountains. When well-intended travelers lose their way deep within the steep slopes of this rugged terrain, she rises from her underwater dwelling and guides them using her enchanted lantern. However, when ill-intended travelers arrive to disrespect her lake or the surrounding mountains, she will unleash merciless vengeance upon them.
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Image
Artist: Lily N/Aourii
Title: Redemption
Studio: Art of Lily N
Medium: Digital
Find Artist at: aolily.weebly.com | deviantart.com/aourii
Entry Backstory:
After Takano failed to protect his sister from being dragged into the underworld. He lost his home, his arm and all he’s got is a sacred sword passed down from generations of shogun. His task at hand is to fight the Gatekeepers of the Spirit World for the right to reclaim his only family. His arrival to the eerie entrance to the realm didn’t go unnoticed. Suddenly a mystical arrow flew by, grazing his face. His gaze turned to the strange being, popping his sword out of its sheath slightly enough to reveal its power. “So the trials begin…”
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Image
Artist: Grau Orchidee
Title: Hide your horns
Medium: Digital
Find Artist at: ashleycallahanart.com | Twitter/Twitch/Instagram @grauorchidee
Entry Backstory:
The shogun was known to be a cruel and vile man.

Her father, one of the daimyo, had promised her to him.

On the day of her wedding she did what all brides must do. She covered the horns of her rage and rebellion, knowing someday she may need them again.
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Image
Artist: Oliver Hamlin
Title: The Great Serpent
Studio: OH Illustration
Medium: Watercolor and Ink
Find Artist at: revilonilmah.tumblr.com | oliverhenator@gmail.com
Entry Backstory:
Katana is drawn,
The Great Serpent Emerges,
A shogun story.
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Image
Artist: Nyanfood
Title: "To That Era, A Flower Funeral" | あの時代に, 花帰葬を
Medium: Digital
Find Artist at: deviantart.com/nyanfood | Twitter @Nyanfood
Entry Backstory:
The final years of the Bakumatsu era spelled the death of many things: the Tokugawa Shogunate, the ban on Christianity, the insignificance of the imperial household, the opening of borders to trade. Occidental met Oriental and new practices replaced old. In Japan, Geisha came into fashion, replacing Oiran on the hanamachi. In Europe, women in kimono posed for painters like Tissot and Monet. Kimono patterns met Victorian silhouettes. Did they know what the Meiji Restoration meant for the West's fascination with Japan today? But surely, it was a most colorful funeral to offer the Edo era.
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Image
Artist:
Title: Battle of Anemeowa
Studio: Katizua
Medium: Watercolors
Find Artist at: katizua.deviantart.com | Twitter/Instagram @katizua
Entry Backstory:
Our tail of the last notable battle of Tomewtomi Hideyoshi! Together with Oda Nyanbunga and Tokumeowa Ieyasu lay siege to two fortresses of the Azai and Asakurat clans! Although the battle of the infinite armies looks grim, they will fight through whisker and claw! To victory and knocking stuff off the table!
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Image
Artist: Mel Cordes
Title: Ripples in the Night
Medium: Digital Illustration
Find Artist at: melcordes.com | instagram.com/grumpycakess/
Entry Backstory:
Raein, a general and adoptive son of a local Daymiō is struggling with his adoptive father’s desires to be Shogun when a strange glowing demon starts terrorizing the area. Raein goes to confront it, but finds the demon is truly a disturbed lake spirit seeking peace. As he learns more of the lake spirit Raein becomes torn between what his Daymiō father wants and the mystical spiritual world that he might not want to leave.
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Image
Artist: Lollerblob
Title: Yoshiwara Print Shop
Studio: Lollerblob
Medium: Digital (with textures & patterns created from my photographs of chiyogami paper)
Find Artist at: lollerblob.tumblr.com | Instagram @trustfundcritics
Entry Backstory:
The ukiyo-e prints artists created throughout the Edo period form a detailed and evocative historical record of the “Tales of the Shogunate”. But during their time, the prints were just pieces of popular entertainment, sold out of busy shops lining crowded market roads - kind of like the Edo version of an artist’s alley! Here’s a tribute to the artists who recorded life in the Tokugawa shogunate for posterity, inspired by prints-of-people-making-prints such as Kitagawa Utamaro’s Surikô, mise saki, shinpan kubari and Utagawa Kunisada’s Imayō mitate shinō kōshō yori shokunin.
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Image
Artist: ofSkySociety
Title: Farewell
Studio: ofSkySociety
Medium: Digital
Find Artist at: deviantart.com/ofskysociety | instagram.com/ofskysociety/
Entry Backstory:
Another civil war, another farewell. She sees her husband off on this winter day not knowing if this will be the last time.
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Image
Artist: Maggie Dufresne
Title: Support
Studio: Fox and Panda Studio
Medium: Watercolor
Find Artist at: maggieguillette@gmail.com | Instagram @maggles926
Entry Backstory:
Genji Sakura is the wife of a feudal lord. Her husband is off at war with his loyal samurai by his side. She relies on the company of Heishi Mei and Kusakabe Fumiko, the wives of two samurai joining her husband in battle. Together they have formed a bond of friendship and keep each other company while they anxiously await their husbands' safe return from war.
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Image
Artist: wintrchu
Title: Aurora
Medium: Digital
Find Artist at: Lauren.l.sheng@gmail.com | Twitter/Instagram @wintrchu
Entry Backstory:
This is a modern twist on the Edo Period samurais that were under the rule of their land’s Shogun. Three clans join forces to protect their land. The three clans are based upon the most outstanding characteristics of night and day: the Moon, Sun, and Stars. Each individual clan carries tales of how they have persevered through the roughest of times. However, when facing a fearsome foe, they finally realize that strength, when divided, only leads to a helpless struggle. With harmony between these three clans, they are able to fight back and pridefully defend their territory.
___________________________________________________
Image
Artist: Fantasm
Title: New Bridges - A Double Crossing
Studio: Fantasm
Medium: Digital
Find Artist at: fantasmshop.com
Entry Backstory:
In hopes of protecting the isle of Tashirojima, the Daimyō, Dai-meow, seeks an alliance with the Kitsune clan. But can these crafty foxes really be trusted?

The haiku reads:

“Kemono dewa,
Mikata no goui.
Mou kistu, ne.”


Translated to an english haiku:
“It is decided,
An alliance amongst beasts.
Tension already.”

There is a double meaning to the last line, which can also read “But I am already a fox”, betraying the true, mischievous intentions of the fox, who can be seen crossing his fingers behind his back as the deal is made.
___________________________________________________
Image
Artist: Te Tyme
Title: Lust for Freedom
Studio: Te Tyme
Medium: Digital
Find Artist at: linda.jiang.12@gmail.com | instagram.com/te.tyme
Entry Backstory:
Meet Miura Aki, a secret artist who lusts for freedom. The military gave women two options: loyal wife or entertainer. Aki wanting to change her fate, plans to cause an uprising. She paints women in men role such as a female scholar or police to bring awareness of inequality and displays it all over Japan. The Military wants her captured, but they can't find her! Why? Because who will suspect the most famous and respected Geisha in all of Japan to be the one behind it all! Will Aki's plan succeed or will she be trapped forever?
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Artist: Kit Collver/Phantastus
Title: Beast of Burden
Studio: Dazlious Design
Medium: Digital
Find Artist at: psychologyseaurchin@gmail.com | Tumblr @kitbits
Entry Backstory:
The wife of a noble samurai learns of his cruel death at the hands of former allies, corrupted by greed. In her overpowering grief and rage at their betrayal of loyalty, she begs the spirits to give her strength. Hearing her pleas, they answer and she is transformed into a spirit herself, pursuing her husband's killers as a sleepless warrior whose loyalty never wavers.
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Artist: Jaisamp
Title: Impossible Love
Medium: Digital
Find Artist at: jaisamp.com | jaisamp.art@gmail.com
Entry Backstory:
Distraught at the impossible circumstances of his love with the princess from a feuding clan, a low class fighter seeks out the five mystic totems. It was told that those who wield the mystic totems could unite any land. But it was also said that the samurai who finds all five would be overwhelmed with great power. Having given the totem of the eagle to the princess and the totem of the fox in his possession, the two lovers search for the remaining totems, fighting both power possessed men, and supernatural monsters intent on removing humanity from the world.
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Artist: Lauren Krugh
Title: Scrapes
Medium: Digital
Find Artist at: budgebuttons.tumblr.com
Entry Backstory:
"You're lucky it's just a scrape."
"Don't be mad at me! You should see the other guy. He had it coming."
"If you keep picking fights in the village, you're going to make someone much more important than me mad."
"Who's more important than you?"
Yuuko sighed, unable to contain a smile as she averted her eyes. Scrappy as she was, Eri was too charming to be scolded.
"Then at least tell me why he 'had it coming,'" Yuuko conceded as she settled against the wall of her family's spring home.
As always, Eri was more than happy to share.
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Artist: Notice Me Soapai
Title: Earth Pig Kobanbu
Studio: Notice Me Soapai
Medium: Digital
Find Artist at: noticemesoapai@gmail.com | facebook.com/noticemesoapai
Entry Backstory:
Kobanbu might not be the fiercest samurai warrior but he is definitely the luckiest one. Loved by all, he is the living embodiment of the zodiac earth pig. He travels across the land spreading wealth and good fortune to each village he passes through. If you're lucky, he might pull a koban coin from behind your ear! 2019 is the year of the earth pig and the inspiration for Kobanbu the Wandering Earth Pig Samurai.
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Artist: Michaela Dutra-Lowell
Title: Animeow through time
Medium: Digital
Find Artist at: mdlartstuff.tumblr.com | mkdutralowell@gmail.com
Entry Backstory:
one minute a cat is cruising through space and the next minute he is sucked though a worm hole and tossed through time and space. gotta find all his lost figures once again. dont give up pleco!
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Nabil Samuel

Assistant Director of PR

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