RScott

For those interested, here is the translation I found of the play Gosho no Gorozo that this is from. This particular part is in acts two and three, with the attack depicted in the print in act two, scene three. http://homepage1.nifty.com/aby/2003/gosho-no-gorozo-junes.htm

So after a few weeks of digging for info on the print I believe I just found an explanation. The short version is: Gorozo is a samurai that needs to pay a debt for his ex-lord and has no idea how to get the money. He needs to support his former lord because it is dishonorable not to help him. The Lord racked up the debt paying for the company of a courtesan, whom he falls in love with. Gorozo's wife is later confronted by Hoshikage Doemon, another samurai who is Gorozo's enemy and has long been in love with her. Doemon offers to completely pay off the debt, but forces her to divorce Gorozo to be with him before he does so. When she tells Gorozo she has to divorce him(she is sacrificing herself so her husband can maintain his honor. she plans to kill herself once the debt is paid, but does not tell Gorozo this) he is furious. Gorozo later hides and waits for Doemon and his wife walking together and he attacks them with his sword. Doemon disappears by magic but he cuts the head of the woman off. Gorozo then finds out the woman was not his wife, but was in fact his former lord's lover. Later, when Gorozo realizes his wife's intention to kill herself for his honor, the two of them commit suicide together while tearing up the letter confirming their divorce. So, the print is depicting the scene where Gorozo attacks Doemon and his ex-lord's lover. You see the woman's severed head on Gorozo's waist and the shadow figure is Doemon, magically dissolving into a shadow so he can escape.

Hey guys, I've been researching my next piece and I think I've narrowed it down to the idea of a Yoshitoshi print titled "Gosho Gorozo Battling a Shadow" from his book 28 Famous Murders. I love the image, but I'm not keen on getting a piece where I don't have a pretty clear understanding of the story. I've attached a photo of it for reference. I think someone could create a really awesome interpretation of the print, mixing wind bars into the shadow, etc. I'm no expert by any means, so I'm looking for a little bit more of an explanation on the background of the print. From what I've found that the print references a play by Kawatake Mokuami titled "Gosho no Gorozo" and I've found loose translations of what this print depicts, but I thought I'd consult the experts here to see if anyone can give some more insight. Thanks in advance. Also, I'm not opposed to suggestions of other woodblock prints that you think would make for great ideas for a piece as a 3/4 sleeve and chest plate.

That helps a ton. Thanks for taking the time to post those. I've been debating on who to get work from next, but seeing your sleeves makes me think waiting for Henning to come back to King's Ave would be worth the wait :).

Wow, fantastic collection. Do you by any chance have any photos from when your first piece was just a half sleeve? I had just asked in another thread to see photos of anyone who extended a half or 3/4 sleeve to a longer piece. I can sort of tell, but I'd be curious what it looked like before because it flows like it was planned as a 3/4 from the beginning.

I also agree that Instagram has become an amazing tool both for tattooers to quickly and easily show their work and for people seeking great tattoos. Seeing my feed with a constant stream of awesome work just makes me want more.

Wow, that's a hell of a start. All the guys you mentioned are people Im seeking out too. Did you get your work from Henning when he's been at King's Ave? Any pics of your work to post? That collab has to be beautiful.

Yep, waiting would be the only downside. And the cost...but I've come to terms with that :)

That's everything other people have told me about both of them also. I'm definitely more inclined to get something from someone who does great work and is a solid person also. Yea, I couldn't be happier with it and I'm excited to see it finished. Dana's a super nice guy too.

Thanks. I've learned a ton from reading and following a lot of tattooers in the last couple of years. I don't mind traveling a bit to get what I'm looking for, and NYC is no problem. Those were actually few of the people on my list, with Mr. Rubendall at the top. Now, just to get an appointment...

Thanks! I've got a session or two left so once it's closer to being finished I'll post a photo.

Hey everyone. I'm Ryan and I live in the Philly suburbs. I'm a newbie whose been lurking for a while. I've loved tattoos and the culture of them forever. Most of my friends are heavily tattooed. I just have a few expensive hobbies and the money always went to those things before thinking of spending it on tattoos. There were also a few moments where I thought of doing it, but just couldn't decide on what I'd want. But I'm 31 now, have more time and money and the floodgates have opened. I'm a fan of large pieces, particularly traditional Japanese work. I like the folklore and symbolism behind the imagery also. I'm about 11 hours into a piece on my leg being done by Dana Helmuth at Read St. in Baltimore, with about 6 more to go. I'll post a photo when it's finished in a few weeks. I'm already looking at other artists to start another large piece. Since I've waited so long I'm being super picky about who I want work from. It's probably better that I waited so long because now I can actually afford the work that I really want. I've got catching up to do.