The Object Annex :: The Self-Portrait of Hananuma Masakichi

I loathe those people at the Proceedings of the Athanasius Kircher Society. Oh, of course I respect them As Colleagues. As Professionals. But they're so hard to like. They have collected the most astonishing treasures. They continue to show unwavering intellectual curiosity married to a steely aesthetic regard. They seek widely and bring home marvels. What's not to hate?

So it's their own fault if I'm forced to steal from them. It's not like they'll miss it. And MoD needs it! So here it is... The Self-Portrait of Hananuma Masakichi. And of course there is an remarkable story to go with it. This renowned sculptor resolved to carve his simulacrum as a last gift for his lover. She? didn't much care for it apparently. Maybe it has something to do with its finger and toe nails, as well hair and teeth, being literally pulled from the sculptor's still living body.

The statue is composed of over 2000 separate pieces being hollow with the exception of the feet. The head, thighs, calves, and every member of the anatomy was carved separately and the whole put together. The joints were perfectly made, dovetailed, and glued together — no metal nails, only wooden pegs or pins beings used to fasten where necessary. After putting all the members together and finishing as for as the woodwork was concerned, he painted and lacquered the statue to give it the flesh and blood appearances; The hairs which adorn the figure belong to himself. He used clippings of his head and ears and each and every hair is bored for and put in one by one. The body hairs were actually pulled from his own body and put in exactly the same position as they occupied on himself. The eyes were also made by the artist and are the wonder of the oculist and optical precision.

In situ in the Proceedings of the Athanasius Kircher Society >>

Oh bugger it. I'm going to take one or two other things whilst I'm here...

Like Robley’s Collection of Tattooed Heads. They should be mine too.



In situ in the Proceedings of the Athanasius Kircher Society >>

And this.
Home made jesus toast.

Bastards. That'll show them they can't keep all the good stuff to themselves.

In situ in the Proceedings of the Athanasius Kircher Society >>

Hmmm I wonder if they know anything about spongecats?