Tattooer

TATTOOER, by Takuya Kaneshima, translated by Linda Hoaglund, is directed by Hogara Kawai. It was inspired by a short story “Shisei” by Junichiro Tanizaki and Irezumi tattoos, a Japanese art-form in anime and video games. It is a strange mixture, and seems like three shows in one.

In the first half, Seikichi (Leo Ashizawa), the tattoo artist, meets Kazuyo A played by Mao Aono and Aki Nakagawa as Kazuyo B. His longtime wish is to “carve his soul into the skin of a beautiful woman” but he has been unable to find a willing partner, until this pair arrive. Are they the same woman? Or sisters? It is never made clear, as they develop a secretive, introspective relationship. It is fine to be mysterious, but this play seems deliberately obtuse. This section also seems unnecessarily, bluntly sexualised.

During the interval, renowned Japanese Ink-Brush Painter Gaku Azuma paints a ’tattoo’ on Nozomi de Lencquesaing’s back. Since 2015, Azuma has made his canvas the skin of women through body painting, and has created collaborative works with over 200 models. Although he speaks only one word, this is the most eloquent and intriguing part of the show.

The second half changes tone again. Nozomi de Lencquesaing is now the Customer seeking a tattoo from the master. Only to find he has passed the work to his mistress. This is much broader, played almost as a comedy. Seikichi and Kazuyo debate the quality and truth of vision at length.

Lighting Designer Rob Halliday creates precise and atmospheric pictures within Hogara Kawai’s set. Along with moving coloured lanterns, the white stage and Japanese costumes, the production is visually powerful.

Director Hogara Kawai said: “Tattooing is the act of scarring the skin with a needle and filling it with colour. By filling scars with colour, they become art. What kind of picture would emerge if you could ink the “scars” you have acquired in your life? What would the art that resides in your body look like? In exploring this beautiful play, I am looking forward to finding out.” I needed more of a framework to the story to guide me into their world, more detail of those scars. More background would help clarify the suggestions and complications.

TATTOOER features in a season of new UK-Japan collaboration projects produced by Umeda Arts Theater. which aims to promote Japanese theatrical culture in the UK

Derek Benfield