The Tattoo
Getting my tat touched up in a few weeks. I need to work on the diagram of alterations for my artist (Robbie). But I'm currently thinking more about my back, specifically what I want inked there. I've had this idea for some time, so if I see anyone with it from now on, I'll know they stole it from me. But, anyway, here's what I'm working on.
This image always amused me. It is a symbol of the western tradition of theater. It depicts the two masks worn by ancient greek actors depicting the main genres: tragedy and comedy. While "serious literature" has latched on to tragedy via Poetics, then comedy was as strong a force. This is the cyclical, "things turn out alright in the end" comedy, not jokes and banana peels. Classical comedy.
But I am also a student of Japanese culture, which has its own theatric tradition. Noh theatre also employs masks, with an art of body movement to depict emotion rather than facial. A sort of mascot of Noh is the hannya mask. Hannya are a Japanese class of demon. As I understand it, they are the corrupted ghosts of women who turn to hunting for the blood of children. Part of my fascination with hannya derives from my experience with women who turned into blood-sucking demons.
My tattoo concept comes from a merging of these two cultural symbols, representing my philosophy. This mock-up I did in under five minutes using Gimp only gives a vague sense of what I'm striving for.
As for color, I would like to stick to classic Japanes schemes.
I'm also toying with non-traditional angles.
The style of the drawings I keep gravitating back and forth between two poles on. I want to stay traditional with the typical two dimensions of Japanese art, but I also want something more stylized. Finding a healthy balance is troubling.
Size and placement are a concern as well, of course. I want something detailed but not over-sized. I'd like room to grow, so to speak. There is a sutra I'm thinking about making a lower-back tat out of and I'd like to fill in the background as well. Hopefully dear Robbie will understand my fears.
Getting my tat touched up in a few weeks. I need to work on the diagram of alterations for my artist (Robbie). But I'm currently thinking more about my back, specifically what I want inked there. I've had this idea for some time, so if I see anyone with it from now on, I'll know they stole it from me. But, anyway, here's what I'm working on.
This image always amused me. It is a symbol of the western tradition of theater. It depicts the two masks worn by ancient greek actors depicting the main genres: tragedy and comedy. While "serious literature" has latched on to tragedy via Poetics, then comedy was as strong a force. This is the cyclical, "things turn out alright in the end" comedy, not jokes and banana peels. Classical comedy.
But I am also a student of Japanese culture, which has its own theatric tradition. Noh theatre also employs masks, with an art of body movement to depict emotion rather than facial. A sort of mascot of Noh is the hannya mask. Hannya are a Japanese class of demon. As I understand it, they are the corrupted ghosts of women who turn to hunting for the blood of children. Part of my fascination with hannya derives from my experience with women who turned into blood-sucking demons.
My tattoo concept comes from a merging of these two cultural symbols, representing my philosophy. This mock-up I did in under five minutes using Gimp only gives a vague sense of what I'm striving for.
As for color, I would like to stick to classic Japanes schemes.
I'm also toying with non-traditional angles.
The style of the drawings I keep gravitating back and forth between two poles on. I want to stay traditional with the typical two dimensions of Japanese art, but I also want something more stylized. Finding a healthy balance is troubling.
Size and placement are a concern as well, of course. I want something detailed but not over-sized. I'd like room to grow, so to speak. There is a sutra I'm thinking about making a lower-back tat out of and I'd like to fill in the background as well. Hopefully dear Robbie will understand my fears.
canada is easier to get into than america so thats why i decided canada plus the dollar exchange is better.
hearts alex
I'm not mean. And I'm certainly not deserving of condecending questions. You seem to dish things out without being able to take it. That's interesting. Do you secretly feel better about yourself when you spot a spelling error in someones post or journal? I bet you do....
Now, moving right along. Have you read The Rape Of Nanking? It's a vital subject to study for any true student of Japanese culture and history.
xoxo