Artist Statement

Japanese creatures date back to 1600-1800 in their creation, during the Edo period in Japan. The striking appearance and various personalities of these yokai, ghosts, and demons perpetually stick with people from all backgrounds. And, they still appear in movies, TV shows, video games, clothing, and tattoos today. 

Legends of Japan takes inspiration from American traditional tattoo style and Japanese flow. This style features bold lines and simplified figures that are clean with a balanced composition. Each figure features a unique and non-traditional color scheme using colored pencils. This line of work contributes to a bigger conversation about Japanese influence on popular culture.