Plaster cast graveyard - Sekaido shop

One of the largest and well known artists material shops in Tokyo is Sekaido, located on Shinjuku street, a few minutes walk from Shinjuku sanchome station. They stock the usual range of artists goods - paints, easels, canvas, brushes, pens, designers items etc etc. What they ALSO stock on the 3rd floor together with paints and brushes, is one of the largest collection of 'fake' plaster cast models and busts I have ever seen. Row after row of Greek and Roman faces peering down at you, women in flowing robes, naked figures, seated Buddhas and pensive expressions. For a full body model about 70cm tall you will expect to pay around ¥25,000 (£120). Every time I visit Sekaido this is what I end up taking in the most. Now the reason for this plaster model market lies in the antiquated examination system for entry into art universities - in Japan art college entrance is not by portfolio and interview but by mass exams in life drawing and model drawing. Thus, art crammer schools churn out dozens of proficient draughtsmen each year who hope to pass the exam to the most prestigious art school, 'Geidai' (the National University of Fine Arts and Music in Ueno, Tokyo). Thus the strange and continuing presence of classical plaster models in Sekaido - bodies and faces which once, a long time ago had some meaning for the study of beauty and aesthetics, but which today stare blankly out from their display shelves on Shinjuku street, a thousand miles from anywhere.

Comments

[Gary Smith]

I teach Artist Workshops and need suppliers for materials.
Today I am looking for a plastic cast , the planar head.