Central PMQ, Genesis: Plastic Dispensary presents: 'The Five Rings - Soul of the Armor' comes to Central, showcasing the will of the warrior beyond life and death with armor sculpture works

Description

Plastic Depot Tooplastic and local sculpture toy designer GINO LAI present 'The Five Rings — Soul of the Armor', an exhibition that runs from today until January 18, 2026 at PMQ, Genesis in Central. The exhibition features large-scale armor sculptures and recreates a Japanese Sengoku-period setting, leading viewers into the spiritual world of the warrior, where they can feel the unwavering spirit of bushido. At the same time, we have invited 10 well-known painters from all over the world to showcase a diverse range of sculpture styles.

During the exhibition, a giant mural will be displayed on the outer wall of PMQ, extending the visual aesthetics of 'The Five Rings' to the streets and showcasing the immortal soul within the armor and the warrior's will to transcend life and death.

The title of the exhibition, 'The Five Rings', refers to the five elements of earth, water, fire, wind, and void, which originate from Japanese Buddhist philosophy and the spirit of bushido. It also represents the five stages of a Japanese warrior's spiritual and physical training. Designer GINO LAI explores the themes of life and death, will, and soul through this exhibition and has created a toy sculpture series. This exhibition is themed around the will of three warriors - 'Obsession, Burning, and Reincarnation': Minamoto no Yoshitsune from the late Heian period, whose loyalty and resentment towards his brother's betrayal represent 'Obsession'; Sanada Yukimura from the Siege of Osaka, whose unwavering spirit despite knowing victory was slim represents 'Burning'; and Kusunoki Masashige from the late Kamakura period, whose vow of 'Seven Lives for My Country' represents 'Reincarnation'. These three forms of will are interconnected in the exhibition, tracing the immortal soul of the warrior. Three 60cm large statues have been designed to showcase the weight and power of the warrior's soul, reflected in the intricate details of their armor. The three statues are also available for pre-order.

The exhibition also features three 25cm soft rubber Soul of the Armor figurines and four 25cm sculptures, allowing viewers to appreciate the subtle variations in lines and aesthetics of different materials up close. In addition to the sculptures, several original paintings are on display, completing the world of 'The Five Rings' through flat art. Visitors can not only observe the intricate craftsmanship up close but also experience the artists' three-dimensional interpretation of 'Obsession' through different mediums.

The exhibition hall is designed to be immersive, recreating a Japanese Sengoku-period setting with elements such as Japanese lanterns, black cloth, family crests, Japanese calligraphy, and wooden utensils. The display of intricate armor and flags further enhances the solemn and majestic atmosphere of the Sengoku period, creating a strong sense of history. This allows visitors to immerse themselves in the world of 'The Five Rings', as if they have traveled back in time to personally experience the unique tragic beauty and captivating spirit of the warrior's soul.

We have also invited 10 well-known painters from all over the world to collaborate and exhibit 10 extremely collectible 'ONE OFF' Soul of the Armor pieces. These include artists from the United States (KLAV9), the United Kingdom (Dastar_art), Taiwan (thomastoyfactory), Mainland China (changyuan_zz), and several talented individuals from Hong Kong, such as kaijucolosseum, stanleystudio, micbraining, ms 1sttime, af11_aftereleven, and wabii_toys. Each painter will bring their unique style and craftsmanship, infusing GINO's sculptures with new souls and colors, showcasing the collision of creativity across different cultures, and revealing the diverse faces of 'Soul of the Armor'

During the exhibition, a variety of limited-edition merchandise will be available for purchase, including a limited-edition run of 30 Hong Kong venue-exclusive Ghostronin figures, Soul of the Armor soft rubber figurines, a collaboration on pure rice gin with 'The Five Rings - Obsession', a limited-edition release of the 'Adventure of Plastic Depot' Yoshitsune figurine in stages, iron emblem plates, exhibition memorial T-shirts, and sticker packs. Pre-orders for the 60cm large statues are also accepted on-site, catering to the collection needs of enthusiasts.