“The Tattooer,” by Tanizaki Jun’ichirō, presents a sexual obsession and power. His book is based on the Japanese traditions and the West, particularly during the Edo period of 1603 to 1867. During the Edo era, it was a time of economic growth and time for enjoyment of art and culture. Men would beautify themselves by getting a tattoo. They considered strength and beauty one. The story brings out the personalities of the tattooer, Seikichi, and the geisha and how their power intertwines.
Seikichi is a flat character. He hardly changes throughout the book. He remains the wicked, heartless, tyrannical tattooist. Seikichi’s wicked personality is revealed when the narrator states that he has a desire that is pleased by him causing men pain, “Deep …show more content…
If he tattoos a woman, it does the opposite and brings feeling into him. Throughout the story, Jun’ichirō says actions that Seikichi does in a way that adds a sense of power in his character, “Seikichi had her sit on the veranda . . .” (Jun’ichirō 81). There’s a bunch of different ways the author could have said this; the way he chose to say it makes it seem like Seikichi is forcing her. However, he also has the desire to create his masterpiece on a perfectly beautiful young woman. He obsesses over this image he has in his head of the perfect woman, and he never gives up. When he finally finds her, his obsession takes it to the point of drugging her and tattooing her without her permission, which is absolutely insane. As for tattooing women, it was different, “Seikichi’s long-held desire turned into passionate love” (Jun’ichirō 81). Whether it is actual love or not, it gives him feeling. For his masterpiece he really puts his soul into it, which he never done before, “He felt his spirit dissolve into the charcoal-black ink that stained her skin. Each drop of Ryukyu cinnabar that he mixed with alcohol and thrust in was a drop of his lifeblood. He saw the pigments the hues of his own passion”. Therefore, tattooing women also gives rise to a different feeling than he has experienced with men, “At every thrust of his needle Seikichi gave a heavy sigh and felt as if he had stabbed his own heart” (Jun’ichirō 83). At the end of the story, the young geisha leaves with power. As for Seikichi, he didn’t really lose any power because he still has power over other women and men. However, when comparing him and his masterpiece, he is seen as the one with less
Seikichi is a flat character. He hardly changes throughout the book. He remains the wicked, heartless, tyrannical tattooist. Seikichi’s wicked personality is revealed when the narrator states that he has a desire that is pleased by him causing men pain, “Deep …show more content…
If he tattoos a woman, it does the opposite and brings feeling into him. Throughout the story, Jun’ichirō says actions that Seikichi does in a way that adds a sense of power in his character, “Seikichi had her sit on the veranda . . .” (Jun’ichirō 81). There’s a bunch of different ways the author could have said this; the way he chose to say it makes it seem like Seikichi is forcing her. However, he also has the desire to create his masterpiece on a perfectly beautiful young woman. He obsesses over this image he has in his head of the perfect woman, and he never gives up. When he finally finds her, his obsession takes it to the point of drugging her and tattooing her without her permission, which is absolutely insane. As for tattooing women, it was different, “Seikichi’s long-held desire turned into passionate love” (Jun’ichirō 81). Whether it is actual love or not, it gives him feeling. For his masterpiece he really puts his soul into it, which he never done before, “He felt his spirit dissolve into the charcoal-black ink that stained her skin. Each drop of Ryukyu cinnabar that he mixed with alcohol and thrust in was a drop of his lifeblood. He saw the pigments the hues of his own passion”. Therefore, tattooing women also gives rise to a different feeling than he has experienced with men, “At every thrust of his needle Seikichi gave a heavy sigh and felt as if he had stabbed his own heart” (Jun’ichirō 83). At the end of the story, the young geisha leaves with power. As for Seikichi, he didn’t really lose any power because he still has power over other women and men. However, when comparing him and his masterpiece, he is seen as the one with less