ICONS OF THE RISING SUN (HERO OF THE MILLENNIUM)

Icons of the Rising Sun: Hero of the Millennium, acrylic on canvas, 2024. 16.5" X 24"

This 4-part series commemorates the 70th anniversary of Japan's beloved Godzilla franchise and fuses the fame of the so-called "King of the Monsters" with the popularity of Japanese culture. Both these icons have become extremely well-known worldwide. 

Part 3 of the series focuses on the Millennium era, which in the Godzilla franchise encompasses the late 1990s to the early 2000s. The painting depicts Godzilla in its appearance from the films Godzilla 2000: Millennium (1999) and Godzilla vs. Megaguirus (2000) where the monster is seen with purple spines. In the painting, Godzilla is seen alongside Mothra, a large moth monster that sometimes appears as either Godzilla's ally or adversary, which appears to sprinkle sakura (cherry blossom) petals on Godzilla to give its spines its pinkish hue. Sakura plants are symbolic in Japanese culture, representing the start of spring, which also reflects on the Millennium era taking place in the dawn of the new millennium. Sakura petals are also edible and used as food ingredients in Japan.

Godzilla is seen firing its trademark atomic breath to King Ghidorah, a three-headed dragon which is one of Godzilla's most famous rivals. The resulting explosion appears to turn King Ghidorah into udon noodles, which fall into a "sea" of shabu-shabu (hotpot) broth filled with ingredients such as meat slices, seaweed, tempura shrimp, boiled eggs and fish cakes. The lobster claw is a reference to Ebirah, a large lobster fought by Godzilla, while the squid tentacles is a reference to Gezora, a squid-like monster that is sometimes included in the Godzilla franchise. Udon noodles is also added to shabu-shabu broth in some places in Japan. Shabu-shabu is very popular even outside Japan as it is said to create a sense of togetherness, both in the ingredients being put together and bringing diners together in a communal dining experience. The Millennium era Godzilla films also brought together some of their famous monsters in entertaining and colossal battles. The inclusion of all three monsters is a reference to the film Godzilla, Mothra and King Ghidorah: Giant Monsters All-Out Attack (2001).

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