Phoenix
2009
Here we have a cover up in progress. Notice how much larger the new tattoo is in order to give the effect that it is not a cover up.
HISTORICAL NOTES ON THE PHOENIX IN JAPAN
Below courtesy www.aisf.or.jp/~jaanus/deta/h/houou2.htm
A mythical Chinese bird, thought to have been introduced to Japan in the Asuka period (mid 6th to mid 7th century AD). The phoenix has a bird's beak, a swallow's jaw, and a snake's neck; the front half of its body is thought to resemble a giraffe, the back half a deer. Its back resembles a tortoise, and its tail is like a fish. It is often shown in a paulownia tree (Chinese parasol tree, aogiri ), with bamboo in the background, or surrounded by Chinese arabesque foliage karakusa . It became a popular decorative motif in the Nara period (late 7-8c), and was used on a wide variety of items including textiles, mirrors, chests, and lacquerware. Outstanding early examples of the phoenix designs can be seen on the ceiling of Houryuuji Kondou Nishi-no-ma (late 7c). Houou depicted on the back of mirrors were popular in the Heian period (9-12c). Some of these used a Chinese style, but others Japanized the houou motif, replacing arabesque foliage with Japanese wild grasses, and changing the bird to resemble a blue magpie, onagadori , or a crane, tsuru . A famous pair of houou statues, made of copper and measuring 1 metre in height, can be seen on the roof of Byoudouin Hououdo , Kyoto (10c). Throughout the 13-19c the houou remained a popular design, particularly on gold and silver lacquered boxes (see makie ) and for noh costumes. The original Chinese background of paulownia and bamboo was gradually replaced by combinations of peonies, cherry blossoms, crysanthemums, and seasonal Japanese wild flowers. The phoenix appears on three crests, monshou , known as hououmaru , lit. phoenix circle, tachi houou lit. standing phoenix, and tobi houou lit. flying phoenix. <end quote from JAANUS>
HISTORICAL NOTES ON THE PHOENIX IN JAPAN
Below courtesy www.aisf.or.jp/~jaanus/deta/h/houou2.htm
A mythical Chinese bird, thought to have been introduced to Japan in the Asuka period (mid 6th to mid 7th century AD). The phoenix has a bird's beak, a swallow's jaw, and a snake's neck; the front half of its body is thought to resemble a giraffe, the back half a deer. Its back resembles a tortoise, and its tail is like a fish. It is often shown in a paulownia tree (Chinese parasol tree, aogiri ), with bamboo in the background, or surrounded by Chinese arabesque foliage karakusa . It became a popular decorative motif in the Nara period (late 7-8c), and was used on a wide variety of items including textiles, mirrors, chests, and lacquerware. Outstanding early examples of the phoenix designs can be seen on the ceiling of Houryuuji Kondou Nishi-no-ma (late 7c). Houou depicted on the back of mirrors were popular in the Heian period (9-12c). Some of these used a Chinese style, but others Japanized the houou motif, replacing arabesque foliage with Japanese wild grasses, and changing the bird to resemble a blue magpie, onagadori , or a crane, tsuru . A famous pair of houou statues, made of copper and measuring 1 metre in height, can be seen on the roof of Byoudouin Hououdo , Kyoto (10c). Throughout the 13-19c the houou remained a popular design, particularly on gold and silver lacquered boxes (see makie ) and for noh costumes. The original Chinese background of paulownia and bamboo was gradually replaced by combinations of peonies, cherry blossoms, crysanthemums, and seasonal Japanese wild flowers. The phoenix appears on three crests, monshou , known as hououmaru , lit. phoenix circle, tachi houou lit. standing phoenix, and tobi houou lit. flying phoenix. <end quote from JAANUS>
