Signed and dated on the bottom; signed, titled, dated, and sealed on the box.

The sculpture has visible cracks on its front side.
After discussing it with the artist, it was confirmed that "these cracks are integral to the character and nature of this artwork, and it would be best not to attempt any forced repairs."

Born in Kanagawa Prefecture, Tsuchiya Yoshimasa (1977-) graduated from the Department of Sculpture at Tokyo University of the Arts and studied conservation sculpture at its graduate school for a master's degree. During his student years, he was deeply impressed by the Eleven-Headed Kannon statue at Dogan-ji Temple in Shiga Prefecture. This experience inspired him to develop a unique approach to wood sculpture, incorporating the Gyokugan technique, which involves inlaying crystal or glass into the eyes of statues - a method traditionally used in Buddhist sculpture. Historically, the crystals used for Gyokugan were crafted by specialized artisans. For Tsuchiya's works, the eyeglass material is created by glass artist Takanka Fukuo. In contrast to traditional Buddhist statues, Tsuchiya's sculptures manifest intangible emotions and thoughts, projecting them onto symbolic motifs such as animals and mythical creatures.

The motif of this artwork, Nue, refers to a legendary yokai from Japanese folklore. It is mentioned in The Tale of the Heike, where, during the Ninpei era, the Emperor was terrified by an ominous black cloud. He ordered Minamoto no Yorimasa to dispel it, and when Yorimasa shot an arrow into the cloud, a mysterious creature with the head of a monkey, the body of a raccoon dog, the tail of a snake, and the limbs of a tiger fell to the ground. Such enigmatic beings symbolized ill omens and anxiety. This work served as the titular piece for the artist's solo exhibition Nue, held at Takashimaya in 2021. Staged during the COVID-19 pandemic, the exhibition reflected the era, as unseen anxieties seemed to take on visible forms. The tranquil presence of the Nue in this piece contrasts with the fears that plague us, suggesting humanity's intrinsic tendency to conceive of supernatural, divine entities in the face of incomprehensible circumstances.