Earlier this year, Evangelion wandered into Edo Japan for the Eva Ukiyo-e Eva Kabuki series. Well, it looks like it is not done yet, because it has returned for another round of traditional Japanese art—this time as gods on folding screens.
The Evangelion Fujin Raijin-zu Byobu (or Evangelion Wind God and Thunder God Folding Screen in English) collection reimagines Tawaraya Sōtatsu’s national-treasure Wind God and Thunder God Screens by replacing the deities with EVA units. Unit-01 and Shinji take the role of the Thunder God, which seems appropriate for a machine prone to making dramatic entrances.
Meanwhile, Unit-00 and Rei, Unit-02 and Asuka, Unit-08 and Mari, and Mark.06 and Kaworu each become the Wind God. Yes, there is one Thunder God and four Wind Gods. The local weather department is clearly overstaffed on one side.
Artist Izumo modeled the EVA units after Sōtatsu’s brushwork and forms, making them look as if the 17th-century master had somehow received the Evangelion design brief several centuries early. The pilots float around them in expressive, painterly forms representing their personalities and inner struggles. Because even as classical Japanese deities, these kids still cannot escape emotional baggage.
Each screen works as a standalone artwork, but placing them side by side creates visual “conversations” through their gazes, gestures, and spacing. You can also position figures in front to build a miniature Japanese display without causing another Impact.
Each screen measures 31.4 × 43.7 × 1 cm (12.4 × 17.2 × 0.4 inches) when opened and is made from washi paper, wood, MDF, and fabric. The five designs are available from Ukiyo-e Kobo for 27,000 yen each before tax [JP] (about US$171).
Images: Ukiyo-e Studio [JP].