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Other Stuff => Workbench => "Build Something" Contest => Topic started by: Mr Tough Guy on January 26, 2023, 12:20:38 PM

Title: BSC2023 Mr Tough Guy Sacred Shinto Tree
Post by: Mr Tough Guy on January 26, 2023, 12:20:38 PM
Had an idea to do something along the lines of a Japanese Shinto shrine. I have an image in my head of a Tori gate leading to some stone steps going up a hill. But then the idea of scratchbuilding a Shrine looked a bit daunting, so looking into the subject of Shrines I came across Yorishiro, which are objects capable of attracting kami, giving them a physical space to occupy. Some of them come in the form of trees, recognisable by the shimenawa ropes and the paper shide streamers.

So that's the plan, a bit of a hill with some stone stairs leading up, Tori Gate down at the entrance of the stairs and a big ass sacred tree on top, maybe some stone lanterns.

I still need to figure out how to do the tree though, I want something thick and substantial, but don't neccesarily want too much height, especially as it's also going on a hill, and as I was planning to use metal wire to build up the ranches I also don't want it to be too top heavy, so maybe a damaged tree or something like that.

I also like the idea of juxtaposing the traditional Shinto aspects with something more modern and technological so I also have an idea of adding a vending machine somewhere, I have one from one of the Dungeons and Lasers kickstarter, and I figured it would be perfect to bring the piece into a more modern or even sci-fi era. If I can think of any thing else to add to modernize or sci-fi it, I will see if I can add them as well.
Title: Re: BSC2023 Mr Tough Guy Sacred Shinto Tree
Post by: OSHIROmodels on January 26, 2023, 01:11:51 PM
Having been to several of these in Japan over the years, the vending machine is absolutely perfect  lol

Why not have a ruined trunk (hit by lightning for example)?
Title: Re: BSC2023 Mr Tough Guy Sacred Shinto Tree
Post by: Daeothar on January 26, 2023, 02:55:36 PM
That sounds cool. I'm immediately thinking of Totoro for some reaosn, but that might be too ambitious a tree lol

The vending machine would be hilarious, but maybe make it removable as to not make any samurai themed game look like a film set? ;)

Best of luck! :)
Title: Re: BSC2023 Mr Tough Guy Sacred Shinto Tree
Post by: has.been on January 26, 2023, 04:15:06 PM
Fascinating idea, & good luck with it.
Title: Re: BSC2023 Mr Tough Guy Sacred Shinto Tree
Post by: BeneathALeadMountain on January 26, 2023, 05:16:31 PM
That sounds like a great idea Mr T! As soon as I read the part concerning the tree I was on the same lines as OSHIRO and thinking about the creation of Jin in bonsai (creating dead wood to add character) which could look beautiful and fit your needs. Even just a stump or shortened trunk with epicormic growth might work and would allow you to control the height.

Good luck I’m looking forwards to seeing how you do,

Andrew
Balm
Title: Re: BSC2023 Mr Tough Guy Sacred Shinto Tree
Post by: Vanvlak on January 26, 2023, 05:25:14 PM
Cool idea, I am a fan of the vending machine idea!
Title: Re: BSC2023 Mr Tough Guy Sacred Shinto Tree
Post by: AKULA on January 27, 2023, 03:39:34 PM
Interesting idea, look forward to seeing it progress  :)
Title: Re: BSC2023 Mr Tough Guy Sacred Shinto Tree
Post by: Golgotha on January 29, 2023, 09:24:19 AM
Should prove awesome looking forward to seeing this one.
Title: Re: BSC2023 Mr Tough Guy Sacred Shinto Tree
Post by: Mr Tough Guy on February 07, 2023, 06:40:30 PM
I've been looking around for inspiration on what kind of tree I would like, and I've settled on a giant sacred camphor tree of the Takeo shrine as my major source of inspiration

(https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/2/27/Takeo_Shrine_Sacred_tree.jpg)
http://www.takeo-kk.net/photo/uploads/%E6%AD%A6%E9%9B%84%E3%81%AE%E5%A4%A7%E6%A5%A0.jpg
http://www.takeo-kk.net/photo/uploads/%E6%AD%A6%E9%9B%84%E3%81%AE%E5%A4%A7%E6%A5%A0%20%282%29.jpg

I won't try to completly recreate it, and it will probably be a bit smaller, but I will try to copy the basic shape, big hollow trunk, and some large branches coming from the top, though maybe I'll go wider rather than higher, and I think I'll need to plan to go out and find some broken branches to use.
Title: Re: BSC2023 Mr Tough Guy Sacred Shinto Tree
Post by: Golgotha on February 08, 2023, 09:47:09 AM
That is a beautiful tree look forward to seeing your take on it.
Title: Re: BSC2023 Mr Tough Guy Sacred Shinto Tree
Post by: Mr Tough Guy on February 09, 2023, 09:21:41 PM
Found this website about the proportions of a Torii gate

(https://suikoushya.com/wp/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/IMG_0902-768x431.jpg)

https://suikoushya.com/ja/2020/04/13/toriiproject3/

Not sure I'll want it entirely that accurate and precise, I'll at least try to keep the main proportions, and make sure the height and width of the opening is the same, but will probably wing the rest a bit as long as it looks good.
I did already buy some wooden rods to use as the pillars, but if I want to keep the gate in propoprtion to the width of the pillars it will be a lot bigger than planned, so maybe I'll see if I can find some smaller rods. Also I don't think I'll be tapering the pillars like in the pic but will keep them the same width throughout.
Title: Re: BSC2023 Mr Tough Guy Sacred Shinto Tree
Post by: Mr Tough Guy on February 16, 2023, 09:50:26 PM
(https://i.imgur.com/iV7ui5W.jpg) (https://i.imgur.com/1w75P1t.jpg)

(https://i.imgur.com/LZvojAJ.jpg)

Some sketches and a mockup.
the torii is an old one I build ages ago and is just a placeholder, the final one will be a bit more realistic and not as fantasy as per my previous post. I need to rummage around and see if I can find something to get a bit more height on the hill, unfortunately I don't have more extruded polystyrene, but I might have something else I can use. the pink container will be the basis of the tree, and I've started on the first of the wire branches
Title: Re: BSC2023 Mr Tough Guy Sacred Shinto Tree
Post by: Mr Tough Guy on February 27, 2023, 08:44:28 PM
Started work on the tree, couple pieces of wood found in the park form the core and the rest is mostly aluminium and hot glue and some wire branches. Need to make and add a few more wire branches and then I'll start texturing.

(https://i.imgur.com/RVZbtjH.jpg) (https://i.imgur.com/AqJ0qYe.jpg)

(https://i.imgur.com/5zdYCz0.jpg)
Title: Re: BSC2023 Mr Tough Guy Sacred Shinto Tree
Post by: OSHIROmodels on February 27, 2023, 09:33:13 PM
Coming along nicely  :)
Title: Re: BSC2023 Mr Tough Guy Sacred Shinto Tree
Post by: snitcythedog on February 27, 2023, 11:00:50 PM
Looking much better.  Now I can visualize past the container. 
Title: Re: BSC2023 Mr Tough Guy Sacred Shinto Tree
Post by: aircav on February 28, 2023, 01:42:52 PM
Ahh nice, now I get what going on  lol
Title: Re: BSC2023 Mr Tough Guy Sacred Shinto Tree
Post by: Mr Tough Guy on March 04, 2023, 08:56:53 PM
Added a few more branches, think it looks alright, was planning a few more but I am now thinking this might be sufficient, will have to think about it, maybe one or two smaller ones in the back, in the meantime I'll start on the hill.

(https://i.imgur.com/6POKnL6.jpg) (https://i.imgur.com/Ksm2M06.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/dHGxTXb.jpg) (https://i.imgur.com/cnsMFPg.jpg)

(https://i.imgur.com/UOo8SaU.jpg)
Title: Re: BSC2023 Mr Tough Guy Sacred Shinto Tree
Post by: Lost Egg on March 04, 2023, 09:18:37 PM
Looking good, it's really come alive.
Title: Re: BSC2023 Mr Tough Guy Sacred Shinto Tree
Post by: Vanvlak on March 05, 2023, 06:38:18 AM
it looks terrific - good pic there in front of the poster too :D 8)
Title: Re: BSC2023 Mr Tough Guy Sacred Shinto Tree
Post by: snitcythedog on March 05, 2023, 08:38:01 AM
Looking very promising. 
Title: Re: BSC2023 Mr Tough Guy Sacred Shinto Tree
Post by: Mick_in_Switzerland on March 05, 2023, 05:53:36 PM
This is looking very good.
Title: Re: BSC2023 Mr Tough Guy Sacred Shinto Tree
Post by: Mr Tough Guy on March 26, 2023, 08:33:32 PM
(https://i.imgur.com/qbw6NHU.jpg)(https://i.imgur.com/xP6075O.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/8R0hDbL.jpg)

Started work on the hill, and the Torii gate. Hoping to get the build finished by next week so I'll have enough time to get everything painted
Title: Re: BSC2023 Mr Tough Guy Sacred Shinto Tree
Post by: OSHIROmodels on March 26, 2023, 08:51:36 PM
Coming along nicely  :)

Might I suggest to cut the protruding ends of the torii a bit shorter (say, half of what they are now) so it balances it?
Title: Re: BSC2023 Mr Tough Guy Sacred Shinto Tree
Post by: Mr Tough Guy on March 26, 2023, 09:08:16 PM
They do look a bit long, but I think it will be less noticable once I add the top, proportions wise I'm sort of following the guide I posted before, and unless I fucked up the calculations it should actually be that long, We'll see how it looks in the end, the entire thing is already quite a bit bigger than I planned, but I calculated the size from the width of the posts. I might reduce some things in size at the end if it looks better, but for now I'm sticking (sort of) to the plans
Title: Re: BSC2023 Mr Tough Guy Sacred Shinto Tree
Post by: ichwillauch on March 27, 2023, 05:45:35 PM
Looking fantastic! How do you put your structure onto your styrofoam? It looks a lot better than my attempts...
Title: Re: BSC2023 Mr Tough Guy Sacred Shinto Tree
Post by: marianas_gamer on March 27, 2023, 08:44:18 PM
Nice progress!
Title: Re: BSC2023 Mr Tough Guy Sacred Shinto Tree
Post by: Vanvlak on March 31, 2023, 07:10:24 AM
Terrific looking base.
Title: Re: BSC2023 Mr Tough Guy Sacred Shinto Tree
Post by: Mr Tough Guy on April 03, 2023, 09:19:15 PM
(https://i.imgur.com/muGnWo7.jpg) (https://i.imgur.com/0AvHPxe.jpg)

(https://i.imgur.com/vC9qO6T.jpg)  (https://i.imgur.com/okBilnk.jpg)

Almost finished, just need to finish texturing, one more pass with the sand on the hill, mostly around the tree. The Tree is now covered with a layer of filler followed by a mix of PVA and coffee, smells lovely. Once this is dry I'll take another pass with the coffee, and then hopefully I'll be ready to start painting on Friday, and hopefully the long Easter weekend will be enough to finish it.

Looking fantastic! How do you put your structure onto your styrofoam? It looks a lot better than my attempts...
the Brickwork was mostly drawn on using a pen, I then added a bit more detail using a scalpel, picking out a few individual bricks. The rockface is a combination of treebark, cork and sand
Title: Re: BSC2023 Mr Tough Guy Sacred Shinto Tree
Post by: snitcythedog on April 03, 2023, 10:29:59 PM
Very nice job.  Looking very cool.
Title: Re: BSC2023 Mr Tough Guy Sacred Shinto Tree
Post by: aircav on April 04, 2023, 10:41:59 AM
Wow that’s coming on fantastically 8) 8)
Title: Re: BSC2023 Mr Tough Guy Sacred Shinto Tree
Post by: AKULA on April 04, 2023, 03:44:35 PM
It’s really coming together, also love going back and looking at all of the WIP photos step by step

 8)
Title: Re: BSC2023 Mr Tough Guy Sacred Shinto Tree
Post by: Overlord on April 13, 2023, 02:08:18 PM
A really interesting build.  Truly scratch-built with a mix of materials.  8)
Title: Re: BSC2023 Mr Tough Guy Sacred Shinto Tree
Post by: Mr Tough Guy on April 15, 2023, 04:50:47 PM
My entry has just been send, made it with time to spare  ;)
Title: Re: BSC2023 Mr Tough Guy Sacred Shinto Tree
Post by: Mr Tough Guy on June 04, 2023, 07:57:15 PM
Now that the voting is over, here are some bigger and more detailed pics

(https://i.imgur.com/LAf2BXG.jpg)

(https://i.imgur.com/hKHO0Hv.jpg)

(https://i.imgur.com/eVTqeqO.jpg)

(https://i.imgur.com/cLaLLBl.jpg)

(https://i.imgur.com/Huf6cxz.jpg)

Title: Re: BSC2023 Mr Tough Guy Sacred Shinto Tree
Post by: Vanvlak on June 05, 2023, 06:07:22 AM
I hadn't noticed the rock face behind the vending machine - superb - as is the machine itself of course. And everything else: nice work on that kimono too.  8) 8) 8)
Title: Re: BSC2023 Mr Tough Guy Sacred Shinto Tree
Post by: Ragnar on June 05, 2023, 08:07:30 AM
Wow, amazing build!
Title: Re: BSC2023 Mr Tough Guy Sacred Shinto Tree
Post by: poulppy on June 05, 2023, 08:58:05 AM
So great !

Just a suggestion : replace the three by a true Bonzai ;)