The Japan Foundation, Los Angeles presents “Takuma Kamine: Myо̄-о̄ in the Shell, Interpretations of Buddhist Sculpture,” a new exhibition exploring Buddhist imagery, now on view through March 9.

Japanese animation and comics blend with Buddhist sculptures in a new exhibition at Japan Foundation, Los Angeles. (photo courtesy of Japan Foundation, Los Angeles)

When Kamine first encountered the images of Buddhist guardian deities as a child, he was filled with awe and fear. As a working artist now, Kamine has crystallized those initial emotions into figures which borrow elements from Japanese animation and comics. They are not devotional pieces, nor are they facsimiles of extant Buddhist iconography; rather, Kamine’s exhaustive studies of Buddhist scriptures and fascination with robotic protectors, such as gundams, informed these deeply personal iterations.

The exhibition will feature a selection of Kamine’s sculptures, including representations of the Five Great Wisdom Kings.

The Japan Foundation is located at 5700 Wilshire Blvd., Ste. 100. For information, visit jflalc.org.