Horimono, or Japanese tattooing, has been documented in photography since the first commercial series in 1859, with technical problems that were quickly overcome by coloring the monochrome prints. The arrival of Western travellers led to the emergence of tourist photography ateliers (Yokohama shashin), which flourished in the new treaty ports. All the renowned photographers, such as Shimooka Renjō, Beato, Stillfried, Usui, Kinbei, and Kajima Seibei, included portraits of tattooed men in their portfolios. Alongside the geisha, the tattooed man became a new expression of Japanese masculinity in the eyes of Westerners.

Claude Estèbe is a French photographer and Japanologist. Formerly resident at the Villa Kujoyama (2001), he obtained his PhD in early Japanese photography from INALCO (2006). His publications include Les Derniers Samouraïs (2001) and Yokohama shashin (2014). He is currently editing a book on tattoos during the Meiji period. He has curated several exhibitions for the Guimet Museum, Kyotographie, and the MCJP (Le Japon en couleurs, 2022).

This hybrid lecture will be held on site (email required in advance) and via Zoom (meeting ID: 842 6720 2188).

The meeting link will remain posted on the ISEAS website top page from June 23.