伝統彫り物の根源的な味わいを今に伝える芳柳氏による、鬼尽くしとも題すべき凄絶な総身彫り。氏の彫り物の妙味が古式に則ったその作法にあることは明らかだが、奔放かつ大胆な発想力もまた大きな魅力だ。この総身彫りはそれを如実に表している。
芳柳氏は江戸の火消し文化を尊重するため、腕は纏を振るったときにわずかに見えるのが粋だとされている七分に留められている。
なお、上腕五分袖およびヒカエ（胸部）は他店の作。
The magnificent full body suit, which could be titled “Oni-zukushi” (full of ogres), by Houryu who conveys the primitive taste of traditional Japanese tattooing to the present day. It is clear that the charm of his tattooing lies in his classic manner, moreover his uninhibited and daring imagination is also a major attraction.
In order to respect the hikeshi (firefighter) culture of Edo, Houryu basically keeps sleeves at a length of three-quarter, because it is slightly visible from a firefighter’s coat and is considered the chicest.
The upper arms and hikae (chest) were done by another artist.
鬼は人に害をなす悪しき妖怪の典型であり、地獄においては亡者に責め苦を与える役割を担う。非常に恐ろしい存在である一方で、その強大な力は魔を退けるとも信じられてきた。お守りとして広く知られる元三大師の護符に描かれている角大師も、鬼の姿を写したものだ。
腿に彫られているのは鵺と禍（わざわい）。禍とは災厄を生み出すとされる伝説上の存在で、一国を滅ぼすほどの力を持つ。姿形については説話により様々であるが、ここでは曲亭馬琴の『椿説弓張月』同様、虎のような頭に牛の身体を持つ異形で描かれている。
Onis are the epitome of evil yokais that harm people, and in hell they are in charge of inflicting torment on the departed. While extremely fearsome, their mighty power has also been believed to repel evil. The Ganzan Daishi talisman, widely known as a good-luck charm, also depicts an image of an oni.
Tattooed on the thighs are a nue and a wazawai. The wazawai is a legendary creature that is said to create all calamities. There are various theories about its form, but here it takes a head like a tiger and cow’s body, as in Kyokutei Bakin’s book Chinsetsu Yumiharizuki.
背中に描かれる魯智深は『水滸伝』に登場する豪傑のひとりで、筋骨隆々たる巨躯と類まれな怪力の持ち主。仏門に入っていたこと、また全身に刺青を纏っていたことから“花和尚”の渾名で呼ばれる。弱きを助け強きを挫く好漢で、浮世絵の題材としても人気を博した。
なお、この魯智深は一度カラス彫りで仕上げたものを、クライアントの要望により上から色を突き直している。
Ro Chishin on the back in one of the great characters in Suikoden, with a huge muscular frame and unparalleled monstrous strength. He is known by the nickname “Kaosho” (flower monk) because he was a Buddhist monk and had tattoos all over his body. He was a good man who helped the weak and fought against the power, therefore he was a popular subject for ukiyo-e prints.
Note that this back piece was once finished in karasu-bori (black and gray), but then color was added at the client’s request.
