Irezumi Irezumi | Page 16

Lo With Buddhism being a major religion of Japan, their teachings are to foster mankind to look beyond what’s in front of them and strive for self-reliance in order to forge their own path and establish their own identity in this chaotic world with such diversity of people. For the world to contain the things that we value, we have to put it out ourselves or else it wouldn't exist. It cultivates their motivation and spirits to seek for a purpose in face of suffering and struggles. Lotus’s buds are buried in firm soils underwater. Rather than staying that state, they choose to extend their roots to the surface of the muddy water and blossom through their own efforts. It is the act of knowing one’s self and reflecting these efforts to oneself as it is a discovery of who we truly are. They bring the world a sense of enlightenment with the face of purity from their sheer whiteness and innocence. You may have seen these white flowers with a pinkish hue spreading out on masses of green leaves as you wander about near the pond. Seeing them in full bloom, have you ever wonder how it came to exist in such cold, hard conditions? We are only seeing the surface of the lotus flowers. But what if it represents another form in a spiritual level? It represents the hope for salvation and the aspirations of the individual. It is about finding yourself in the wakes of hardship. One Japanese tattoo artist stated that there is a sense of tranquility as he tattoos a lotus flower on one of his clients. He visualizes how the flower springs out from the mud, the dark and the cold, to its full glory. It is understanding your inner self and the limits you can go. That’s what makes it so significant. 13 Motifs & Symbolisms