The tattoo as a symbol of resistance
“The social articulation of difference is a complex, ongoing negotiation.” Homi K. Bhabha, The location of culture For thousands of years, tattoos have distinguished their wearers from the res...
Ukiyo-e Part 2 - The history of Japanese woodcuts
The Edo period was an incredible time in Japan's history. It was a time of peace and prosperity after the constant wars of the Warring States period. A time of social realignment, with the samurai...
Ukiyo-e Part 1 – the floating world
“Because they fall we love them – the cherry blossoms. In this floating world, does anything endure?” – Ariwara no Narihira (823 – 880) Source: MetMuseum Japan during the Edo era experienced ...
Japan's colorful history of tattooing
Japanese tattoos are famous throughout the world. They are much sought after by collectors and are lauded for their scale and delicate intricacy. The art form, called irezumi (literally: inserting ...
The tattooed firefighters of Edo
The Flowers of Edo… that’s how the resident of Edo (now Tokyo) used to describe the fires which ravaged the city. And when you live in a densely populated city constructed almost entirely from wood...