Not Tiring of Defeat Leads to Victory

"Those who see worldly life as an obstacle to Dharma see no Dharma in everyday actions; they have not discovered that there are no everyday actions outside of Dharma."

Dogen Zenji (1200-1253)

Irezumi (Tattoos)

All traditional Japanese tattoos appearing on this blog were created by Horimatsu (Matti Sedholm) and Madako (Ingela Sedholm) unless otherwise stated.

My works, as well as the writings and interpretations I present on the matter of Irezumi are based on my first hand experience of Japanese culture, as experienced through my many travels to Japan. For over a decade now, I have devoured books counting in the hundreds, practised Zazen and Kendo, as well as drawn, painted and tattooed Irezumi exclusively.
Before the personal discovery of the path of Irezumi I tattooed for yet another decade, gaining the practical knowledge of ink and skin.
However, the reader should keep in mind that there are many different schools of Irezumi and interpretations might vary depending on that specific artists traditions.

I am not Japanese and have never studied with a Japanese master. However I have had the honour to learn many things from Horikitsune of the Horiyoshi III family as well as having spent many hours in the company of the great master Horiyoshi III of Yokohama.
I understand that in what I do lies great responsibility and I will always try my hardest to maintain correctness in my Irezumi.

Not Tiring of Defeat Leads to Victory

26.11.09

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