An Illustrated New Edition of Suikoden (The Water Margin) (Shinpen suiko gaden 新編水滸画伝) 1805 - 1838

These pages are from Hokusai’s woodblock print edition of the Chinese epic, Suikoden, or Water Margin, a tale of rebellion and righteous banditry. The figures, with their dynamic poses and detailed weaponry, are archetypes of heroism. Note the tattoos adorning one of the figures. The image of the tattoo as a mark of identity and belonging is ancient. We see echoes of this in the Greco-Roman world, where tattoos identified members of certain cults or military units. Over time, tattoos have signified everything from social status to rebellion, appearing in diverse cultures from ancient Egypt to the modern era. The emotional power of these images lies in their connection to our collective memory. The heroic stance, the detailed rendering of weapons, these all resonate with primal narratives of struggle and triumph, engaging us on a subconscious level. The symbols of rebellion and heroism, which are deeply rooted in human psychology, invite us to delve into the cyclical nature of history and meaning.