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Posted by lizx@me.com |
Sep 28th, 2013
Over a 5 year period, Luar made many trips to Japan to study with Shodai Horimasa, a master of Irezumi, a traditional Japanese style of tattooing. During this time period Luar learned the technique of Tebori (Japanese hand tattooing). From this training Luar became proficient in this art, Japanese symbology and with the relationship between Ukiyo-e (wood block prints) and Japanese tattooing. After studying for years, he was given the title of “Horimaru “. In Japan, your master will only give you a title once he sees that you are committed to the study of Japanese tattooing. About Japanese Style Tattoos Japanese style tattoos are filled with symbology and imagery from across the spectrum. From dragons and samurai to koi and flower blossoms there is something for everyone to identify with. An integral part of the beauty and allure of traditional Japanese tattooing is the capacity for the forms and designs to evolve and develop over time from smaller, separate individual tattoos into magnificent motifs that may encompass an arm as a sleeve or become an entire back-piece or eventually morph into an all encompassing kimono that may cover the entire body. [Show as slideshow] 12345► Tattoo design in Japan was greatly influenced by the woodblock prints (ukiyoe) found in novels and colourful advertisements for plays, particularly during the late18th and into the 19th century. The literary heroes depicted in the woodblock designs were often shown with extensive and elaborate tattoos. Some of these were so...
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Posted by lizx@me.com |
Sep 28th, 2013
Tebori (手彫り) is traditional Japanese hand tattooing. Many artists praise it for its ability to create subtle gradations of tone that are difficult to achieve with a machine. The word Tebori comes from te meaning ‘hand’ and hori or horu, ‘to carve, sculpt or inscribe.’ The word used to describe the technique of tattooing that arose in the late 18th and early 19th century in Japan, with the appearance of professional tattoo artists in the capital city of Edo. Steel needles, usually of greater diameter and steeper shoulder than those used in the West, are arranged in rows, singly or stacked, and are tied to a long handle of bamboo. This tool is held in the right hand, with the fingers of the left used to spread the skin to be tattooed. The shaft of the tebori tool rests on the thumb of the left hand and the needles inserted by the force of forward movement of the right arm of the tattoo...
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Posted by lizx@me.com |
Sep 16th, 2013
Aztec Tattoos There were many ancient cultures that showed art through tattoos. The Aztec group was one of the most advanced when it come to body art, they were known for their creative art skills and produced some brilliant Aztec tattoo designs as a result. The Aztec culture was based in tradition, including the arts and education, as well as various ceremonial and religious practices. They held many different designs and symbols as sacred, as many cultures have held their art. Art was extremely important to the Aztecs. Aztec style of art was quite distinct from its neighbors, and this can clearly be seen in the designs that are used for the tattoos, Aztec Tattoos grew from both the religious and cultural aspects of their society. Aztec society was extremely structured and had an exacting social and spiritual code which dominated their daily lives. Tattoos played a large role in the ancient Aztec culture as well. Tattoos were often used in rituals, such as those dedicated to the gods Uitzilopochtle , Cuauhtli or Quahtli. These tattoos were drawn onto the bodies of children (put their tattoos in specific locations on their bodies, each location has a meaning and was considered to be important) in order to show the children’s devotion to this god. Every Aztec tattoo was done in a specific symbolic pattern, depending on the god being honored. Mayan Tattoos Both men and women tattooed their bodies with black copal [tree resin] which was also used...
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Luar Martinez a.k.a. "Horimaru" began tattooing in the Yucatan in 1994. Before being introduced to Japanese tattooing, he was inspired by his own Mayan background, and he began tattooing Ancient Mayan designs on a small island in the Mexican Caribbean.
Luar currently focuses mainly on Japanese, Tibetan Buddhist and Mesoamerican styles of tattooing. He is owner of Ancient Ink Tattoo in south Austin (www.ancient-ink.com).