A Japanese Demon Under My Skin
I’ve just returned from a ten day tour of Tokyo, Japan, where besides being one of the tallest people there, I also was one of the luckiest.
Though he has a two-year waiting list and typically does entire body suits on his clients, the amazing Shige (pronounced shee-gay) of Yellow Blaze Tattoo took me in for a hand tattoo. I got a Japanese Hanya, which has a rich mythology in the country. Hanyas are specifically female demons that were once human. As the story goes, this character was once a beautiful woman who fell in love with a priest. Her unrequited love then caused her to turn into a monster who expresses the fury of a woman overwhelmed by jealousy and anger. (See the 1964 Japanese film Onibaba for an excellent cinematic example of the story). Masks can be collected as “complete transformations”, usually in threes: human, mid-transformation, and complete. Some as old as 4,000 years hang in museums. Shige’s collection blew my mind.
With its long horns and sharp fangs, the Hanya is actually a good luck mask used to scare away evil spirits. Not surprisingly, the fully transformed Hanya has also become a popular tattoo image. I was Japan and I was being tattooed by fuckin’ Shige so I wanted one on my left hand - the one that reads EVIL. You’ll notice it’s a traditional image, with a non-traditional style. I’m so proud and honoured to have this tattoo. It’s the best souvenir I could ever ask for. And yes, it hurt more than you can imagine (check out that swollen wrist and sausage fingers!), but it was worth it. I guess the Hanya masks we bought before our visit to Shige worked, because I was indeed lucky and got the most amazing tattoo. Check it out, I’m now officially an unemployable jerk:
An example of Shige’s more typical “body of work”:
Special thanks to Katsuta and the crew at Tokyo Hardcore Tattoo for everything they did for us while in Japan. Best Hosts Ever.
Comment by Kev Weldon — September 25, 2007 @ 9:51 am
Tasty!
Comment by Lara — September 25, 2007 @ 3:11 pm
Wow! Amazing work!
Welcome back to real life… at least you’ll have the memories and the ink!
Comment by Kristin — September 25, 2007 @ 6:35 pm
Damn, woman! That is crazy cool! I’d never have the nerve. I can see how it was painful…every pore of skin on the hand is covered! I like it.
By the way, Tattoo Phil (Chicago) just got a hand tattoo as well! It’s Carroll Borlands face on a big spiderweb from Mark of the Vampire. He’s only got the outline so far…must be the month for hand tattoos!
Comment by Nev — September 28, 2007 @ 11:00 pm
Wow, thats a killer tattoo and it goes well with your severed wrist. I like it a lot.
Hes an amazing artist, you’re very lucky!!!
Im getting a sleeve done with traditional Japanese ghouls.
Just got the second part finished.
Comment by Asmodeus — September 29, 2007 @ 7:35 am
Finally, a naked picture of Jovanka !! ..
I did not think she was Asian though. Oh well. Nice hand!
Comment by Roman G. — October 14, 2007 @ 10:43 pm
Unemployable ? Well, maybe. . . but inked chicks are hot, so who cares ?
Comment by Natajha — December 17, 2007 @ 5:47 am
what a wasted opportunity you were lucky enough to be given a tattoo by an incredibly talented artist and a that was the best you could come up with???
aesthetically misplaced, culturally insulting
better luck next time
Comment by GhostWolf1978 — January 22, 2008 @ 9:21 am
To Natajha… please can you explain how this tattoo is culturally insulting?
Comment by Snoop — January 22, 2008 @ 10:23 am
are there any more pictures from the woman? amazing!
Comment by Henrique (brasil) — January 31, 2008 @ 1:53 pm
i envy you…
shige for me is the best oriental in the world…
to get a tattoo made by him is a dream come true…
was it easy finding his studio and getting the tattoo since he has a looong wait list???
Comment by Jovanka — January 31, 2008 @ 2:17 pm
I’m lucky, he is a friend of my ex-boyfriend so I got to know him over the years and just called him when I was in Yokohama and got in. I’m proud to have this tattoo.
Comment by Mark R D — February 13, 2008 @ 3:34 am
seen your picture on his website. I love the flourescent orange background and drips. By the way, I think the placement is superb.
Comment by bruno — February 16, 2008 @ 12:16 am
nice tattoos i have lots of japanese tattoos
Comment by Baka Manji — April 5, 2008 @ 11:48 pm
that tatto you have is beauteful. how long and much did it cost to get that done? i’v been looking to get some thing like yours.
Comment by Jovanka — April 7, 2008 @ 9:56 am
Baka Manji: It took about 3 hours and as for the price, I can’t say because I didn’t pay the regular rate. I honestly have no idea what Shige normally charges!
Comment by gunnart — April 11, 2008 @ 5:13 pm
incredible work
really good colors
Comment by dave — May 7, 2008 @ 12:26 pm
well iam half way into a back coverup and i must say WOW if i ever get to meet you i will be getting the beer in your body work is top
Comment by João Chavez — May 12, 2008 @ 10:37 am
A mascara etá simplesmente maravilhosa !!!!
nunca vi nada igual. adorei as cores.
perfeita.
Comment by varun — May 28, 2008 @ 10:51 am
Thats really cool ………………
Comment by RevCo — May 29, 2008 @ 3:04 pm
i have had my hanya devil mask for a few years now on my left bicep, just added a koi fish with lotus flowers on my back for even more luck lol and my pride and joy… a six foot long snake starting on my right wrist and wrapping all the way up to my right chest… 25hours, two artist inking away in five sessions… for my first tattoo hehehe
Comment by RevCo — May 30, 2008 @ 6:24 pm
sorry dont mean to be a twit but kudos to ur tats though… only a dream for some
Comment by Bernd — June 25, 2008 @ 5:02 am
I tryed contact Shige for appointments (in japanese language), even if it would took 2 years, but he even don`t write back..oohh…the chance to get tattooed from him seems not very high, but maybee someone here..knows something…?…
bernd102@hotmail.com