The Japan Society
Publications Books & Journals The Japan Society Review

Kokoro: The Art of Horiyoshi III

Kokoro: The Art of Horiyoshi III

Exhibition at Somerset House, London (21 March-1 July 2012)

Review by Michael Sullivan

On the first day of spring 2012 a new exhibition opened up at Somerset House, although it is easy to get side tracked by Somerset House’s terrace which is always popular on warm spring days and by the spectacular sight of 10,000 ceramic daffodils that were placed in The Edmond J. Safra Fountain Court, if you venture into the South Wing you would have seen something very special. It has been named Kokoro, meaning heart, mind and spirit in Japanese, and as soon one entered the South Wing you were greeted by the sight of dragons appearing out of the mist, demons, gods and eerie ghosts. Horiyoshi III is a famous artist, who is a complete master of Japan’s ancient art of tattooing, and his photo shown at the exhibition perfectly epitomises his strong connection with the kokoro of Japan as, bare chested but covered in tattoos, he poses with a katana. However, his amazing ability is not limited to skin as you can also see his work on silk.

There was a striking predominance of dragons appearing behind fire, water, mountain and the sky, but in stark contrast there were also scenes of bamboo that demonstrate a light and gentle touch, including one silk picture of a cat and butterfly. A more chilling sight was that of ghosts, their heads hanging to the side at an unnatural angle with long hair flowing to the ground. One rather shocking picture, called Namakubi, which has several meanings one of which being an acceptance of fate, that can’t be described as it is best seen. The picture above is called Kokoro Daruma with blade, this highlights another side to Hiroyoshi III’s work as he embeds hidden messages in his work, in this case the katana stands for the kanji 刀 「かたな」which when put together with the kanji 心「こころ・しん」below it forms a new word 忍「にん」which means perseverance. In the centre of the second room of the exhibit there were also the tools of the tattooist’s trade on show, though currently the artist uses a mixture of more modern electric needles as well as traditional methods.

They are amazing pictures and reveal an artistry that goes beyond mere images but also the culture of an entire civilisation as well as the mind of an extraordinary man who has practised his art for over 30 years.