Sometimes, a piece of video game-related art can take you completely off-guard with the quality and craftsmanship, to the point that it goes far beyond a simple reference, to a genuine masterpiece. That’s definitely the case with the incredible pieces of Final Fantasy XIV inspired lacquerware showcased by the Wajima Lacquerware Association earlier this week.
Initially reposted by the official FFXIV JP Twitter/X account on Jan. 20, these three incredible pieces of Wajima-nuri lacquerware are currently on display as part of an FFXIV collaboration with the “Sturdy and Elegant Works Exhibition” held at Isetan Shinjuku, in Shinjuku City, Tokyo, Japan.
Depicting FFXIV’s iconic portrayal of the primal Bahamut, and a smaller homage to Meteion and Elpis Flowers, the pieces feature some incredible detail, with the largest piece depicting the Seventh Umbral Calamity in dramatic fashion. The smaller pieces are also adorned with maki-e, a lacquer technique which use metal powders to decorate the surfaces in shining trim.
There are just so many beautiful details on these pieces. The larger work, which features Bahumut, has an Allagan-style edge and a blazing sky with stars which was made by using gold and other materials. Even Bahamut himself is fashioned with a raised surface on the face of the large piece, with hyper-detailed wings and scales.
On the smaller pieces, Bahamut and a bird that is undoubtedly Meteion’s Starbird, are rendered with maki-e. Below the Starbird are a pair of intertwining Elpis flowers.
The pieces are specifically Wajima-nuri, a type of Japanese lacquerware from Wajima, Ishikawa. Wajima lacquerware is reportedly noted for its durability, as it is made from multiple layers of urushi, applied to delicate layers of zelkova wood substrate (Yes, those are real materials, and not just part of FFXIV as it turns out). As per the social post, the lacquerware was created by “Tsutaya Shikki Shop Carpenter,” with decoration by maki-e artist Kitahama.
These singular pieces are not for sale, but instead will take center stage at the Wajima lacquerware exhibition. Taking place from Feb. 21 until Feb. 27 in the Isetan Shinjuku, Tokyo, the event will also feature the artists behind the pieces answering questions about the works.
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