The Tattooed Man of Japan (c. 1880s) by Kusakabe Kimbei - Meiji Era Photo Print (Framed and Matted) (18"x24")

Step into the fascinating world of Meiji-era Japan with this historic photograph by the great Kusakabe Kimbei. This stunning studio portrait captures a man displaying his intricate, full-body tattoo bodysuit, known as irezumi. This artwork is not just a portrait, but a rare and invaluable document of a traditional art form that was officially forbidden by the Japanese government at the time.

A "Forbidden" Art Form: This photograph was taken during the Meiji period, when the Japanese government outlawed traditional tattoos in an effort to appear more "civilized" to the West. Kimbei's work preserved a practice that was being forced underground.

Masterpiece of Irezumi Art: The subject's body is a living canvas, featuring elaborate motifs from Japanese folklore, such as dragons, koi fish, and legendary heroes, all masterfully inked by a traditional tattoo artist (horishi).

By a Famed Meiji Photographer: Kusakabe Kimbei was a leading photographer in Yokohama, renowned for his technical skill and his beautifully composed images of Japanese life and culture, created largely for a curious Western audience.

Historic Hand-Colored Print: This is a reproduction of a hand-colored albumen print, where skilled artisans meticulously applied color to the photograph, bringing the vibrant tattoo designs to life.

Perfect For: A study, studio, or living room. It's an exceptional gift for tattoo enthusiasts, historians, collectors of Japanese art, and anyone who appreciates powerful and historically significant portraiture.

Did You Know? The men who wore these elaborate tattoos were often from the working class, such as laborers, couriers, and firemen, who wore the ink as a mark of their strength, courage, and identity. While the Japanese government looked down on them, foreign visitors were captivated, creating a huge market for these "souvenir" photographs.

Product Specifications:

• Art Style: Meiji Era Photography, Yokohama shashin, Hand-Colored Albumen Print
• Subject: Portrait, Irezumi, Japanese Tattoo, History
• Color Palette: Hand-tinted (Soft Red, Blue, Green over a sepia base) or Black and White
• Mood: Powerful, Stoic, Historic, Artistic, Proud
• Era: 1870s–1890s
• Ayous wood .75″ (1.9 cm) thick frame from renewable forests
  
• Paper thickness: 10.3 mil (0.26 mm)
  
• Paper weight: 189 g/m²
  
• Lightweight
  
• Acrylite front protector
  
• Hanging hardware included
  
• Blank product components sourced from Japan and the US
  
  
  This product is made especially for you as soon as you place an order, which is why it takes us a bit longer to deliver it to you. Making products on demand instead of in bulk helps reduce overproduction, so thank you for making thoughtful purchasing decisions!
  
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