“A real work of art destroys, in
the consciousness of the receiver,
the separation between himself
and the artist.” - Leo Tolstoy
There are endless methods to express
what we are thinking and feeling to
others, and art happens to be one of the
most creative approach. It enables an
instantaneous bond to be formed
between the creator and the receiver of
the subject. For centuries, we have
conveyed our ideas, opinions, feelings,
anything that is in our minds. We feel
connected and empathetic towards the
symbolic connotations as a function of
communication. rather the image of the role that the
person was assigned to. But tattoos are
capable of breaking down that boundary.
Jung discovered that archetypes,
symbols or motifs, are composed of
negative elements, the factors that we do
not openly express for fear it would be a
source of shame from society. As well as
positive traits such as empathy but a
person might repress it if it doesn’t fit
with their persona in the particular social
situation.
Irezumi, or any tattoos, are something
that you earn. It is an homage to family,
culture, history, nature. The reason we
feel a strong connection with these
motifs is because these symbols and the
myths of them permeate our thinking in
a conscious and subconscious levels. We
have a ‘persona’, the image that we
choose to present to the exterior world
and it is drive by the force of our
thoughts, ideas and memories. It is what
we wish to project to others. On the other
hand, the way we construct the
appearance of these mental states can be
influenced by our social environment. An
example would be where a father may
adopt traits which he considers to be
typical of a father - serious or
disciplining, rather than those which
reflect his actual personality. Jung believed that by acquiring and
allowing the qualities of our archetype to
co-exist on the surface, we will be able to
achieve individuation and realize our
true self. Irezumi is a depiction of our
unconsciousness. People choose
particular images and symbols for a
reason, not only because it appeals to
them but because it provides them an
opportunity to express themselves in a
symbolic manner.
Psychologist Carl Jung, who dedicated
his life to investigate the relationship of
recurring patterns and symbols with the
minds of a human, theorizes that the
outward persona at times, is not a true
reflection of our consciousness, but
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Editorial’s Note
How does one achieve that?
Through lines, colors, shape, form and
movement, feelings and emotions are
transferred as a bridge across time and
the transition of culture. The purpose of
Creative expressions is also to define the
factors that makes up a human being. If
we were unable to perceive the forms
that we see within something that is art,
it would have meant that we are unable
to receive the thoughts instilled within
the image and in turns, we are no better
than animals. We would have been more
hostile and separate from one another if
human lack the capacity to understand
the purpose of the art.
What makes art, ‘art’?
Tolystoy further expresses that, “The artist
should be impelled by an inner need to
express his feeling.” It should be sincere as
you are drawing the depths of your most
private and personal consciousness out in
the open. The infectiousness of the art
increases by the level of sincerity within
the art. This is why different manners of
creative mediums manages to resonate
within the masses, even if you don’t
personally know the creator.
There is always a reason behind someone’s
choice to select a certain point of their lives
and look upon it with utmost importance
than anything else. There is a rich history
behind Japanese tattoos. Irezumi is not
only a depiction of the self but holds the
essences and codes of their culture and
interpretation of the world. From spiritual
forces, to psychological depths of their
nationality. There will be people that
disagree or dismiss such values, but there
will be someone that identifies with the
meanings behind the recurring motifs and
choose to express a part of themselves
through it. People mature and recognizes
their self in the process of getting one and
co-existing with these series of images. No
matter is it something mythical or what’s
real, it is meant to share about a person
and bring everyone together through the
united understanding in the recognition of
a solid image within people of all ages. It is
a timeless art that stretches far beyond a
simple depiction of an individual. It is the
whole of the universe.