- THE ARTERSPOT

Yokai-inspired portraits combining elements of japanese folklore, yakuza tattoos, and calligraphy.

Interpretation of the Bake-kujira (化鯨), a mythical Japanese yōkai (ghost, phantom, or strange apparition) from western Japan. It is supposedly a large ghostly skeleton whale and is said to be accompanied by strange birds and fish.

In Japanese folklore, kitsune (狐, きつね) are foxes that possess paranormal abilities that increase as they get older and wiser. According to folklore, the kitsune-foxes (or perhaps the “fox spirits”) can bewitch people, they have the ability to shapeshift into human or other forms, and to trick or fool human beings. While some folktales speak of kitsune employing this ability to trick others—as foxes in folklore often do—other stories portray them as faithful guardians, friends, and lovers.

Homage to the vibrant and colorful palette of Harajuku (原宿), a popular shopping neighborhood in Tokyo that is known as being the hub for Japanese pop culture. かわいい!

The tying knots tradition in Japan is called hanamusubi 花結び, a term composed of the words hana which literally means “flower” and musubi which means “knot”. In Japanese culture, knots are widely recognized as symbols of warding off evil. However, beyond that, knots are also essential means of imbuing Japanese souls and hearts.

Lady Bug inspired by the traditional Geisha hairstyle and makeup.