MunkyKing – Munky King

Koibito - Original

Koibito - Original - Main image
$54.9 $90 In stock

Category: munkyking collabs

MK - 006s
ARTIST: Yoskay Yamamoto
BRAND: Munky King
MATERIAL: Vinyl
HEIGHT: 7 inches
EDITION NUMBER: 1000
RELEASE DATE: 12/10/2008

koi•bi•to [koi-bee-toh]: a loved one. sweetheart
koi [koi]: a carp
bito [bee-toh]: a person

Yoskay Yamamoto is a rising Japanese artist in the LA art scene. His varied work spanning painting and sculpture blends pop iconic characters from his new Western home with traditional and mythical Japanese elements, balancing his Asian heritage with urban pop art. Central to his work the is combination of apparently innocuous human characters with larger than life mystical forces and symbols.


Koibito is based on the original painting featured in his "In a Foreign Land" joint show at project:gallery.

Says Yoskay:
"Once upon a time I had a goldfish named Tuna.
But he passed away because of my laziness and mistreatment....
So I painted him for his memory.......
But at same time Koibito symbolizes the sense of alienation that I felt growing up in Cali...
It''s kind of like the phrase " fish out of water"....
I felt and still feel like I don't completely fit in my environment......both in Japan and the US......"

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Koibito - Original-Yoskay Yamamoto-Munky KingKoibito - Original-Yoskay Yamamoto-Munky King

Customer Reviews (4.6 / 5 · 5 reviews)

Charlotte ★★★★★

Was worried the vinyl would look cheap in person but the finish is smooth and the paint on the koi figure is really clean. Mine's number 340 of 1000, which is a fun little detail. Sits perfectly on my desk next to my monitor.

Evelyn ★★★★★

The face paint on this 7-inch piece is what sold me—Yoskay’s signature soft blues and warm tones pop way more in person than in photos. Took it out of the box and the vinyl’s got a clean, glossy finish that feels solid for the size. Great little reminder of a loved one sitting on my shelf now.

Edward ★★★★★

The vinyl has a nice weight to it for a 7-inch piece, and the koi pattern on the body is painted with such delicate detail that it looks almost like watercolor. I’ve had it on my shelf for years and the colors haven’t faded a bit.