TOBATSU BISHAMONTEN

Tobatsu Bishamonten 刀八毘沙門天 Protector of capital cities, repeller of foreign invaders, lord of the north. Twelve arms, four heads, and mounted on a lion. This painting is based on a sketch by Hokusai, a Japanese ukiyo-e artist of the Edo period. Few interpretations exist of this specific form of Bishamon. It was created over the course of three months using Winsor & Newton watercolour and sumi ink on 300 gsm Arches paper. My experience in Japanese style tattooing heavily influenced the outcome of this design. Inspired by some of the most trying moments in my life, I can only hope the healing that took place while creating this can also create change within whoever owns it.