robofish
Posted on April 22, 2006 @ 6:01 pm by massimo | Filed under: blog, fun, japan, news, travel, wordpress

My only trip to Japan dates back to 1994; I spent a month in Tokio and had to leave the country because of the high cost of life. Nevertheless my short stay I precisely witnessed the contrast between the overwhelming technology and the traditional cultural heritage of Japan; in other words contemporary Japanese society is passionately involved with both! Regarding this disparity, nostalgic novelist Junichiro Tanizaki (1886-1965) wrote: ”I would call back at least for literature this world of shadows we are losing. In the mansion called literature I would have the eaves deep and the walls dark, I would push back into the shadows the things that come forward too clearly, I would strip away the useless decoration.” Amid a growing craze for technology, robots have widely appeared in Japan and the Japanese took a playful approach with their robots, descending from centuries-old automatons. Robotic pets are the ultimate trend on the market and are winning people’s heart…
So please no wonder about robofish! Would you believe that robofish already swim into the London Aquarium?
Illustration Friday’s topic is robot
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16 people have left comments
You have found an unusual type of robot to illustrate!
I love the picture - you’ve made it wonderfully metallic.
pretty great that you are able to sneak a fish into this robotic post!!! Love your illo and story but i am not to crazy about the theme this week!
ooh that’s a pretty robot!
this is too cool. I love how you incorporated the traditional with technology.
so is robofish any relation to they Koi they have swimming around over there in their ponds?
nice illo
A really great drawing with clear colouring and nice details. I also heard about this pet robots. For some allergic people they might even be a great idea to have and take care of. Otherwise ? Well, they are toys like toys usually are.
what a clever idea, to incorparate fish and robot! :)
btw, i love your spotted stingray.
What a fun idea for this week’s them! Very nice!
I love coming here….beautiful and serene, I feel like I have had a short vacation with every visit:)
Love your robot fish…does he swim in oil?
(really, really love your volcano w/ boat too)
Oh, gee! And that article was written already in 1999. Wonder if the newest version has hair extentions, is all flurry and soft and cuddles up on your lap. But they are cute, ain´t they!
What a fantastic entry. It is a bit scary too think about these things, but nonetheless, it is the inevitable future. I am a firm believer that in the end we will all come with one or more robotic extensions. I mean, why carry your harddrive on your laptop where all the necessary information is on and not in your own brain? … !
Just like you, I was also in awe of the Japanese culture when I went to Japan. I was there even for a shorter time than you (for work) but managed to get a glimpse of the society in Tokio where modernism coincide (and dare I say live harmoniously) with love for tradition. I was amazed how people are all gadgeted with advanced mobile, handheld devices etc but they would still bow at each other when they meet on the street/metro station and how they still greet “masei masei” (spelling?) when you enter shops and restaurants.
I was even told that the traditional hierarchy which is indicated by the length of the sleeves of the shirts/overalls, still apply in most restuarants and work places where team work is paramount. Amazing.
I love Japan. Especially the ornate gardens, the passion for food and of course the avant-garde pets;-)
I am amazed the robofish don’t have blonde hair. They also love blonde hair. Especially blonde afro:-) Cute huh?:-)
Such a BEAUTIFULLY rendered robofish. I like the eye-popping color gradations in the fins. Your work is so well-crafted.
Your fish-bot is GORGEOUS!! What a great idea and all the details. The flower even - the scales. Your coloring and shading is always just perfect. Excellent as always.
I like the reflective look!
Very nice illo. Well done!
Great post. Robo-pets are better than pet rocks. :-)
love