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July 11, 2015February 11, 2018

TATTOOS ARE A KIND OF LITERATURE

Tattoo News

INSET: Kayan tattoos, ca. 1930. Photograph by H. F. Tillema.

Here’s an idea. Tattoos are a kind of LITERATURE.

If you know how to read them, says anthropologist Lars Krutak, they tell you many things about the person who wears them.

For the Calgary Herald online story, please click here…

Or read the article excerpt below>>>

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Previous article THE INDONESIAN NEW WAVE: TATTOOS FROM PARADISE
Next article BOOK LECTURE: TATTOO TRADITIONS OF NATIVE NORTH AMERICA

larskrutak
Just wrapped up my interview for @designerskinmovi Just wrapped up my interview for @designerskinmovie in Chicago with @northwoodsrevolution. Time to celebrate with an Old Style! * “DESIGNER SKIN” coming to you in 2021...I think you’ll love it! * Watch the trailer here: https://vimeo.com/413394119/f3b1cb24e9 * Stay safe out there!!
As the end of this year draws near, 2020 was not i As the end of this year draws near, 2020 was not ideal for anthropological fieldwork, apart from the highlight and exhibition opening of TATTOO at the Pushkin State Museum of Fine Arts in Moscow (March 2020). But here are some production photos from one episode of our crowdfunded project @patterns.of.life.documentary * This ep was filmed in Nagaland in November 2019 and focuses on Konyak / Chen Naga tattoo traditions; it also features the last "tiger-spirit" tattoo bearers (there are only three). Our main man is centenarian and former warrior Chen-o Khuzuthrupa of Hoyang (pictured here with filmmaker @michael_zomer). I am including a 9-second rough cut of one of our interview scenes with Chen-o, who will later speak about his tiger-spirit tattoo (back); he is accompanied by his lovely wife Pongkhao Anghya. Also in this scene is my esteemed friend and all around amazing person author/translator/entrepreneur/travel companion Phejin Konyak @konyak_tea_retreat (pic’d with tattooed Deacon Honggo Wangshu) * Due to COVID, production on Patterns was suspended in 2020 (but not the editing for 2 eps which are nearing completion). We look forward to subsequent eps scheduled for filming in 2021 - the groundwork for the next ep has been laid and we will transport you to an incredible place to learn more about ancient traditions of therapeutic tattooing. * Sincerest thanks and gratitude are also in order for our friend @chenngam_konyak / Chenggam Khuzuthrulymn Konyak for making our Nagaland stay a memorable one. * In 2021 I will publish a new book chapter focusing on the tattooed tiger-men of the Chen Naga, which has been completed. There is no way I could have written this piece if it were not for Chenggam's assistance, not to mention the knowledge and collaboration of his grandfather Chen-o! * Oh, and my new book (234 pages & counting!) features a more lengthy record/chapter re: all Naga tattoo traditions, a topic I have been studying in the field since 2008. Enjoy! * drummers: Sh. Chinglong + Chennyem; neck tat2 Chingkei Sokompa #nagaland #konyak #tattoos #documentaryfilm #ancienttattoo #tigertattoo #tiger #indigenous #warriors #spirit #tattooed #blackworktattoo #india
Tattoo in Japan is not a medical act = legal accor Tattoo in Japan is not a medical act = legal according to high court ruling today...hurrah!
The writing train continues...but so too does the The writing train continues...but so too does the reading. This great little book on Ryukyuan tattooing (hazichi/hajichi) just arrived from Japan and was republished this year to go along with an exhibition on this little documented (ie, English language publications) ancient tradition by lensman Hiroaki Yamashiro & author Namihei Isono who grew up with tattooed aunties. * The Ryukyuans formerly created medicinal tattoos ...and Herber’s 1928 paper contains some interesting thoughts re: the origins of the practice from N. Africa which are applicable to other cultural traditions of medicinal marking. * Another forthcoming project is an edited volume by Palgrave on the tattoo. My esteemed colleague @mattlodder is contributing a chapter on the art history of tattooing whereas I am writing-up a piece on the visual language of tattooing in reference to Chen Naga “tiger spirit” tattoos among the last three bearers of this ancient tradition (> we documented this tradition while filming @patterns.of.life.documentary in Nov. 2019 and can’t wait to share that project with you when ready!). * These projects will be published/aired in 2021. Updates forthcoming...and stay safe & healthy out there! #ancienttattoo #berber #ryukyu #ryukyuan #hajichitattoo #japantattoo #tattoomedicine #morocco #tatouage #tatouagefemme #irezumi #blackworktattoo #tigerspirit #tigers #nagaland #naga #tattoos #tatuajes #asiatattoo #indiatattoo #tribaltattoos #spiritualtattoos #konyak #visualanthropology #anthropology
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