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I'd almost call it "A Primer on Japanese Culture featuring Pictures of Tattoos." And that's a good thing. This stretches the writing beyond the borders of "tattoo book" and into something else. This is where Japanese Tattoos moves into the pattern it follows to the end of the book: a parade of Japanese cultural motifs commonly used in tattoos.Įach one is given context and a thorough explanation. And chrysanthemums represent the Imperial family and the Emperor. A lotus isn't just a flower that grows in water, it's a symbol of purity. And each nature motif is followed by extensive background information, explaining its meaning in Japanese culture. Flowers, trees, water, fire, you name it, they've got it in tattoo form. In chapter two, we get more colorful and symbolic tattoo designs, all based in nature. It's clear they're trying to help the reader make good decisions rather than chastise them. They even offer explanation on the Japanese writing system, a list of meaningful Japanese phrases, and ways to check your kanji before you ink them. Instead, they point out common missteps and offer kanji that make sense.
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They don't outright denounce them as most people do. The authors' attitude toward kanji tattoos for foreigners is particularly interesting. They were the earliest forms of irezumi and the simplest in terms of design. With the first chapter, Ashcraft and Benny begin moving away from history (which they return to later) and toward tattoo motifs. The focus of each chapter is on different types of Japanese tattoo themes and their significance to the wearer.
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It hooked me at the start and got me hungry for more. If I had to pick a favorite section, it would be this one (because I love history). Ashcraft's style isn't dry or academic and the history is presented as something living and active something that's affecting the world today. It's well researched and well told, scaffolding and giving progression to the imagery. This isn't some history fluff thrown in for its own sake. That way, we're appreciating every image as we progress, rather than just scanning pretty pictures. Ashcraft and Benny make sure we understand the importance of this art form from the get-go. Irezumi history is woven throughout the text, and it all starts here. It's clear from the first paragraph, this is more than a tattoo picture book. The opening of Japanese Tattoos is pure informational dynamite. Introduction: Exploring Japan's Tattoo Tradition To give you a better idea of the content, let's break down each chapter piece-by-piece and see how it flows and builds on itself. But they give shallow information at best, or are patronizing and insulting to Japanese culture at worst.Īshcraft and Benny's book offers stellar research and captivating imagery that's fun and breezy enough for irezumi beginners. Others, like The Japanese Tattoo (yes, it has the same name as Richie's book) by Sandi Fellman, and Bushido: Legacies of Japanese Tattoos by Takahiro and Katie Kitamura, are amazing picture books. It offers heavy analysis from a legendary Japanologist, but has few images and is too dense for newcomers to the art form. For a dense, scholarly examination of the art form, there's The Japanese Tattoo by Donald Richie. There aren't many books about irezumi out there in English.
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Who knows? By the end, you may be inspired to travel to Japan and get some ink of your own. Through interviews, information, and a few hundred images, you'll gain an appreciation for Japanese tattoo art. Thankfully, Brian Ashcraft and Hori Benny's new book, Japanese Tattoos, was written to clear up confusion, ignite interest, and hopefully save irezumi from extinction. If we don't start recognizing its importance, irezumi practice in Japan may be significantly diminished. This centuries-old cultural art form is in danger of being stamped out by Japanese authorities. "People with irezumi can't visit onsen." 刺青(いれずみ) Japanese Tattooīut misunderstandings may be the smallest issue facing Japanese tattoos. They're the source of a lot of misunderstanding. Japanese tattoos, or irezumi 刺青 ( いれずみ ), look cool.