Agonotheta

Hiroshige Tattoo

May 10, 2005

Tattoos are addictive. At least, that's what I've heard.

But for me, I think it's true. I got my first tattoo on my left bicep about three and a half years ago. Ever since then, I've really wanted to get something else. But I never knew exactly what.

One thing that I know is that I would really love to get a big tattoo on my other arm. I can't really describe it, but I think a tattoo that covers the entire arm just looks amazing. Actually, I wouldn't want one that covers my entire arm, but at least my upper arm. This is what is typically called a "half-sleeve."

The other day though, I met a girl who had a half-sleeve done in the style of Ando Hiroshige or Katsushika Hokusai. I told her I really liked it, asked her who it was and why she chose it. She said she had never heard of either artist and confessed that she let the tattoo artist, her friend, just do what they wanted. I complimented her on the outcome and went on my way.

As we walked away, I smugly said to my friend, "That's lame. I would never get my body tattooed without carefully planning what it was." My friend snobbishly agreed. Her's looked somewhat like the one below.

After a few days to think about it, I'm seriously considering a tattoo in this style. The reason I would choose something like Hiroshige's "Sea Off Satta Suruga" at the top because I think it would look a lot better if it was one large image, rather than a collage of images like many other people choose. I really love the style and the framing of the "shot" with the waves on the right and the mountainside on the left.

At this point, it's just talk, but I really think it would look good. Now, all I need to do is get up the courage. My first tattoo is fairly small, but it hurt like a son of a bitch. Shortly after completing it, I decided I would have rather been punched in the face several times than have to get poked 60 times a second with five needles for an hour. No doubt I will be saying that tenfold when I eventually get around to getting this tattoo in the style of Hiroshige.