張順は中国の四大奇書のひとつとされる『水滸伝』に登場する百八の英傑の一人である。同書は江戸時代に日本でも広く普及し、多くの浮世絵師が勇壮な意匠の作品を数多く残しているため、伝統刺青のモチーフとしても非常に高い人気がある。
Chojun is one of the 108 heroes who appear in “Suikoden”, a classic series of novels originating from China. This book got popular during Edo period in Japan and motifs were widely used by Ukiyo-e artists and the heroic designs have become synonymous with Japanese irezumi.
ここに描かれるのは“水門破り”として知られる一幕。籠城した敵軍を突き崩すため、泳ぎを得意とする張順が単身で川を辿り、城へと続く水門を怪力で打ち破った逸話に基づいている。このとき張順は敵軍に発見され悲運の最期を遂げるが、その後、長江の水神である金華将軍として祀られた。
なお、張順は全身に刺青を施していたという設定があるため、二重彫りによって彫り師の技巧の見せ場を作る格好の題材でもある。
This scene in this back-piece is known as “water gate breaking”. This story behind this design is a scene where Chojun, who was considered a good swimmer, traces the river alone and smashes through the floodgates that lead to the castle with superhuman strength in order to destroy the enemy army that was trying to hold the castle. At that time Chojun was discovered and eventually killed but due to his bravery he is enshrined as the water god of the Yangtze River.
It is also worth noting that Chojun himself wears a full-body tattoo, therefore he’s a perfect subject for “Nijubori” which means the double tattooing.
また、両腕にあしらわれた唐獅子にまつわり、獅子の身に生じて命を脅かす“獅子身中の虫”が牡丹から滴る朝露で死ぬという伝承があるため、全身を色彩鮮やかな牡丹散らしとしている。
In addition, both of this client’s arms are adorned with Chinese lions and his body is scattered with colorful peonies, as there is a legend that the morning dew dripping from the peonies will kill the bags that threaten the lion’s life.
