Folklore
YOSHITOSHI'S 36 GHOSTS AND STRANGE APPARITIONS
Yoshitoshi’s last incredible series, New Forms of Thirty-six Ghosts presents scenes from classic Japanese folktales and history. These evocative illustrations depict a variety of ghosts and monsters, with focus on the humans to whom they appear, presented with great psychological insight.
In this design, ‘Sadanobu Threatening a Demon in the Palace at Night’,Yoshitoshi shows nobleman Sadanobu, better known as Fujiwara no Tadahira, after confronting the hairy demon on his way to the palace in Kyoto.
The “Ōkagami” (“The Great Mirror”, a Japanese historical tale written around 1119 by an unknown author that covers the period from 850 to 1025, the golden days of the Fujiwara family’s rule) records that Sadanobu encountered a demon.
‘One day, Tadahira received an imperial decree from the emperor, and he was about to pass behind the curtained Goshodai (a seat for nobles) in the Shishinden (the main hall of the Imperial Palace) to carry out the ceremony. He sensed someone and someone grabbed the tsubo (the end of the sheath) of the sword he was wearing at his waist. Suspicious, Tadahira looked into the shadows and saw a hairy arm with blade-like claws. “This must be a demon,” Tadahira thought, frightened, but he thought he should not show a weak or timid attitude here, so he shouted, “Who are you to capture someone who is trying to work under the orders of the Emperor? If you don’t let go, something terrible will happen,” and pulled his sword out of the demon’s hand and caught it. The demon instantly panicked, shook off his hand, and fled toward the direction of Ushitora, which is considered to be the demon’s gate.’
(Mioko Monga)
Health
BACK PAIN
We’ve all been there, and if you’re a tattooer, more than once.
The subject deserves a deeper understanding of the causes (which can be many and different, depending on each specific situation), as the pain is often the manifestation of cumulated unbalances. That’s why there’s not an exercise that can fix it all but rather a consistent routine, with the help of a professional in some cases.
That being said, for mild discomforts at the end of a long tattooing/drawing/office day, there are simple practices that can alleviate that.
This page is pretty good at clarifying the basics and illustrate a few practices:
One thing I would point out from years of personal issues with back pain, is the role of glutes (as highlighted in the page above). Especially when we have pain in one of the upper parts of the glutes, it’s of little help to bend over and try to stretch the lower back. Try the glutes foam rolling to free the muscle up and targeted glutes stretches, you will see a good improvement.
The hip flexors, pelvic tilt and core strengthening are the next usual suspects to take care of. With a 10´ daily routine you can already notice a big change.
Mindset
BE WATER MY FRIEND
A simple but powerful message that we often need to be reminded of.
In ‘Be Water, My Friend’, Shannon Lee explores the profound wisdom of her father, Bruce Lee, extending beyond his legendary martial arts and cinematic career. The book delves into Bruce Lee’s philosophy, particularly his famous maxim: “Be water, my friend.” This principle, emphasizing adaptability and resilience, forms the book’s core message.
Shannon Lee takes readers on a journey through her father’s teachings, illustrating how the qualities of water—flexibility, formlessness, and strength—can be applied to everyday life. Through personal stories and philosophical reflections, she reveals how Bruce Lee’s insights shaped her own life and offers practical guidance for anyone seeking personal growth and empowerment.
Rooted in Eastern philosophies such as Taoism and Zen Buddhism, the book highlights the importance of harmony, balance, and going with the flow. By embracing these timeless principles, *Be Water, My Friend* provides readers with the tools to navigate life’s challenges with grace and resilience, encouraging a more mindful and empowered approach to living.