FRONT COVERw IREZUMI BLACKWORK HUGO SÖDERHOLM MOGENSEN PREFACE This book is a product created by Swedish student Hugo Söderholm Mogensen at Malmö University in Sweden. The project itself is part of a course called specialization in drawing: design material and genre, partaken in 2021. Essentially, the book serves as an artistic expression for the student, as well as being an exercise in media production. Intentionally, the student wanted to express their personal interest in Japanese culture and irezumi artwork, along with the stylistic thematic of blackwork. The intention is for this book it to serve as a way of introducing the western world to the thematic of Japanese IREZUMI irezumi. Think of it as a guide of handbook. By illuminating the historical meaning and symbolism behind some of Japan’s most popular tattoo motifs, the illustrations and text serves as a way for the reader to acquire knowledge. The purpose then being to provide a better understanding of why one might choose to get irezumi designs permanently inked on the body. By having this understanding, the consumer can then consider what meanings their own tattoos might imply, and whether it is suitable for them and their own BLACKWORK beliefs to get it tattooed in the first place. It is important to note that the author themselves have no ethnic connection to Japan. This work is merely an apprecation for the japanese culture, where the single intention is to present a small part of their tradition with all the respect that it deserves. All the facts in this book are based on legimitmate secondary sources ahering from Japan, mostly from people working as tattoo artists there themselves. The reason for this, is that there exists few primary sources on irezumi to begin with. Tattoos are a taboo subject in Japan due to their historical connection to the japanese mafia, hence the lack of well documented first-hand sources. Written and designed by Hugo Söderholm Mogensen In cooperation with Malmö University - Sweden 2021 IREZUMI AND BLACKWORK WHAT DO THESE TERMS REALLY MEAN? Irezumi as a common term is most often referred to Blackwork as a word is referencing a particular as the Japanese word for “tattoos”. While in most style of tattoo artwork. Much like the existence of cases this translation is true, the word irezumi also different stylistic expression of traditional art (for have some other meanings and connotations. example cartoon, minimalist or abstract), tattoos can also be varied to express elements in different ways. According to publisher Brian Ashcraft and master tattoo artist Hori Benny in their book: Japanese Foundationally, the style of blackwork is an Tattoos: History – Culture – Design (2016), irezumi expression of tattoos that appears only in the color is just one of many words that has historically been black (hence the name blackwork). It utilizes the CONTENTS used for referencing to tattoos. In essence, many color of the skin as empty space, much like how different combinations of characters in the Japanese the white space on this page appears to be empty language have been used to write the word irezumi, to form contrast. Building upon bold black lines, IREZUMI AND BLACKWORK 1 and all these characters have had literal meanings blackwork mostly exists in the shape of contours, that differ from each other. filled shapes and lines. THE HANNYA MASK 2 For instance, the most common term for describing The style can however also appear in more complex THE CHRYSANTHEMUM 4 Japanese tattoos today is wabori (和彫り), meaning formats. By using blackwork, an artist can shade their “Japanese engraving”, having been coined in the artworks using stipples, crosshatching or different THE KOI FISH 6 20th century. But way back, other characters such shades of grey. The key part here being that they WAVES AND WATER 8 as the literal translation for irezumi (入れ墨), have can only use the color black, and either have to been used, with the original meaning of “a branding dilute the ink for it to become transparent, or use THE JAPANESE DRAGON 10 mark used as a punishment for criminals”. This is varying line weights in order to create depth. no accident, because Irezumi has a long history of SEVERED HEADS 12 being connected to criminal organizations such the This book showcases how blackwork can be japanese mafia, called yakuza. To this day, tattoos combined with irezumi to create a unique take are a taboo subject in Japan due to the criminal on the traditionally very colorful appearance of historical connection. As such, irezumi is a difficult Japanese tattoos. By eliminating color, the focus is term to understand and use correctly. shifted toward contours and shapes, where the artist must be extremely confident in their own ability to In this book, irezumi is used as a synonym for draw. A steady hand, smooth strokes, and attention Japanese tattoos. The text uses this word to connect to detail are key attributes for the artist to master if the illustrated tattoo motifs to the Japanese tattoo they want to create good looking blackwork designs. culture, seeing as they are foundationally built upon If executed correctly, the results of blackwork can be designs originating from the country in question. breathtaking to say the least. IREZUMI BLACKWORK 1 THE HANNYA MASK A REPRESENTATION OF EXTREME EMOTIONS The Hannya(般若) mask is a traditional motif dating Motifs shared between most Hannya masks are back to the 15th century. It is speculated that pointy horns, fanged teeth, large mouths, and Hannya-Bo (般若坊) developed the very first designs, infuriated expressions. It is common in Japan to this being a mask carver and Buddhist monk. Hannya- day, that when you want to express anger, you put Bo would carve the masks out of wood, perfecting your pointed fingers on each side of your forehead the design during several years. Traditionally, the depicting the horns of a demon. All in all, the masks Hannya mask has then been utilized in Noh theater represent anger, evil and jealousy, but also wisdom (a classical musical performance, based on Japanese (adhering to the master craftsmanship of Hannya-Bo) folklore and the supernatural), representing a and love, being a symbol of someone who is truly malicious demon with serpent-like features. The dedicated to their relationship with another person. women using the masks in Noh plays were said The meaning of the masks is then not necessarily to symbolize how even an attractive being can be bound only to hatred, but also determination and transformed into something terrifying. intense passion. The traditional Hannya mask was then later adapted The core message is that those who have tattoos of into an irezumi motif. Here, they can be portrayed Hannya masks, are often expressing an inner rage, with different colors and expressions depending on or dedication, through the artwork on their bodies. the social status of the depicted demon. According It is for example common that the Japanese mafia to Brian Ashcraft and Hori Benny in Japanese (Yakuza) use this motif as a part of a larger whole- Tattoos: History – Culture – Design (2016), red masks body design. The yakuza are often very loyal to are meant for lower-rank demons (or true demons), their cause but do also dislike rival criminal groups, and white masks are meant for the upper-class. making the Hannya mask in essence the perfect The blackwork style of the mask on the right then is motif for their intentions. limited to depicting a white mask, seeing as color is not utilized in the design. Indeed, Hannya masks as tattoo motifs are utilized in many ways. Some of them are simple stand-alone A common misconception is that the Hannya mask is pieces, while others are part of larger designs, confused with the face of an Oni (a Japanese ogre- being traditionally combined with snakes, waves, demon). While both the Oni and the Hannya mask flowers, and other demons or masks. The pairing of represents anger and hatred, the face of an Oni different motifs in Japanese tattoo culture may serve differs slightly from the stylized design of the Hannya to combine as larger composition that expresses mask, being more organic and often decorated with several messages. When a Hannya mask for example hair. It is however not uncommon that a Hannya is paired with snakes and peonies (symbols of mask is meant to represent an Oni, exaggerating the spring), it creates a large contrast between harmony features of the hideous ogre’s face. and discourse, making the expression of the mask even more terrifying. 2 IREZUMI BLACKWORK IREZUMI BLACKWORK 3 THE CHRYSANTHEMUM AN ICON OF A NATION A symbolic flower for the nation of japan and its As a tattoo motif, the chrysanthemum is very stylized nobility, the chrysanthemum, or Kiku (菊) in japanese, compared to its real-life counterpart. It features has historically been a part of the country for over a exceptionally long and narrow petals, arching their thousand years. Originally imported from china, the way towards the core of the flower. It is common for flower was first cultivated for medicinal purposes. the motif to be depicted in many different colors, Later on, it was instead grown for its beauty. Indeed, all of them symbolizing different meanings and flower appears in many colors, some more significant associations. to the Japanese culture than others. For example, a turquoise chrysanthemum reflects The yellow chrysanthemum for example, is an values of youth, vitality, and ambition, while a red icon of the sun, displaying brilliant golden colored or yellow version conveys the good nature of the leaves. Japan, the land of the rising sun, saw this as owner.