Crows and Herons

"Ryushin" 40% off!! Just 5 more days!!!

2012-01-21T11:45:00.000+01:00

Kofuu-Senju Publications classic book of Irezumi master Horiyoshi III's fantastic dragon painitngs is still obtainable for merely 119 Euro plus shipping. The offer ends on January 26th, so be on your toes for this one!
Find more info in here !

Horiyoshi III of Yokohama
photo by Alex Reinke

"Ryushin" 40% off! Just nine more days to go.

2012-01-17T18:27:00.000+01:00

Horiyoshi III working in his Yokohama Studio 2009.

Only 9 more days to go for our 40% off drive for our classic book Ryushin. It's a limited edition of 1000 copies. The right time to get is now.

Today we sent back the approved test print for Dentowaza. All we have to do now is wait!

There will be more news as events unfold. And don't miss out on the chance of meeting us in person on the Milano Tattoo Convention February 10-12! Official book release!

Our book of Horiyoshi III's dragon paintings, Ryushin, now 40% off for a limited time!

2012-01-10T21:34:00.000+01:00

Coinciding with the release of our new Irezumi book, Dentowaza, we are offering our classic first book Ryushin at a reduced price. Perhaps the best book to date featuring the ink paintings of master Horiyoshi III of Yokohama. Orginally priced at 199 Euro plus shipping it is now available for 119 Euro plus shipping. Shipping worldwide is 35 Euro.
Easiest way to order is to pay directly to our PayPal account senju@kofuusenjupublications.com. Write "Ryushin 40% off", so we know what you are ordering.
The offer is valid until the 26th of January 2012.

Book Facts:

Limited edition of 1000 copies.

Hardcover and threadbound.

Embossed cover title and spine.

24 x 34 cm (aprox. 9,5 x 13,5 inches)

208 pages printed on uncoated 150 gr Scandia 2000 paper.

Careful editing and personal design by Kofuu-Senju Publications

Printed by Fälth & Hässler, Sweden.

Featuring photography by Alex Reinke and Matti Sedholm

Irezumi - traditional Japanese tattoos by Nakamura Toshikazu in a new book out soon.

2012-01-05T08:07:00.003+01:00

Traditional Japanese full body tattoo by Nakamura Toshikazu depicting snakes together with peony flowers.

The Japanese tattoo (Irezumi) reveals itself in various forms, mostly depending on the individual tattooer, but also owing its final shape to geographic location and how this interacts with the people living in one particular area of Japan.
Nakamura Toshikazu sensei tattoos entirly by hand using traditional tools. His southern, small town location has greatly contributed to the look of his work.

One of the last to tattoo without electrical machines, he is now presented by Kofuu-Senju Publications in a new photobook to be released at the Milan Tattoo Convention in February.

The book, titled Dentōwaza, is a strictly limited and numbered edition of 550 copies only. In order to be sure to obtain one of these, pre-ordering is highly recomended since our small editions sell out rapidly. Information on how to pre-order can be found at the top right of this blog.

2011-12-31T12:22:00.001+01:00

あけましておめでとうございます

WE WISH EVERYBODY A HAPPY NEW YEAR 2012!!!!!

Yours Kofū and Senju...

Special Christmas offer!! Free Shipping on books!!

2011-12-01T20:13:00.001+01:00

There is only a few days left before we can no longer guarantee the arrival of shipped books before christmas. For orders outside Europe the final guaranteed date is the 5th of december, and within Europe it's the 9th of december.

Anyone ordering copies of "Kokoro" or "Ryushin" will get free shipping within that timeframe, starting NOW!

Our books are big and rather heavy due to our constant focus on quality, so saving on shipping is a great way to finally be able to own o your personal copy. Both books are strictly limited and the stock is running low.

To order, go to our Paypal account at www.paypal.com. Our account name is senju@kofuusenjupublications.com. Each copy is 199 Euro, and if your order is placed before the aforementioned dates shipping is free.

This special offer is not available through our website, or by clicking the "Buy Now" buttons on this blog. You have to go into PayPal yourself and do it. This offer of course applies to the copies with very slightly damaged covers that we write about in the top right corner of this blog.

Dentouwaza update!

2011-11-29T11:05:00.001+01:00

We are under way with the production of our new book on traditional Japanese irezumi. This time we will be presenting the handtattooed art of Toshikazu Nakamura. Besides from our own photographs captured during two visits to his studio in southern Japan, the book will feature a multitude of photographs from Nakamura Sensei's own photoalbums (examples above).

This book will be a must for anyone into the more graphical and robust look of Irezumi, a style gaining ever increasing recognition here in the west.

The book, "Dentouwaza", is scheduled to be released at the Milan Tattoo Convention February 10-12 2012.

Pre-orders are possible from the 1st of December this year. These books will be shipped 1-2 weeks before the official release date and must be paid for in advance.

At work.

2011-11-15T15:01:00.001+01:00

As the November darkness claws at the door of the Kofuu-Senju Publications creative office, our new book on the hand-tattooed traditional work of Nakamura Toshikazu is slowly taking shape.
In a few weeks "Dentouwaza" will be available for pre-order and then we will hopefully be able to present a sneak preview of the finnished work.

Pre-orders will be sent out as soon as the book arrives from the printers which in effect means 1-2 weeks before the official release at the Milano Tattoo Convention 10-12 February 2012.

The prize is set at 115 Euros+shipping & handling.

Dentouwaza Update!

2011-11-08T14:49:00.000+01:00

A new photobook on Irezumi from Kofuu-Senju Publications.

- 144 pages

- 150 +photographs of Nakamura Toshikazu’s Irezumi works.

- Allphotographs of Irezumi in full colour.

- Hardcoverwith embossed title.

- Threadbound

- Printed on170 gr Galerie Art Silk paper

- LimitedEdition of 550 numbered copies

- Priced at115 Euro

As with our previous Irezumi publications, Kokoroand Ryushin, our goals are topresent an important work and of contemporary traditional Japanese tattoo art.This means that we maintain full and personal control throughout the entireproduction – from photography to design.

We want to create books for the collector and thecurious alike.

Master NakamuraToshikazu works in Kyushu, one ofthe southern of Japan’s main islands. His work is simple, bold and powerful,and it is all created entirely using traditional Japanese hand tattooing.Linework, shading and coloring are all done using dentouwaza (jap. hand technique), yet Nakamura Toshikazu issurprisingly productive. The full body tattoos and backpieces presented to theviewer of the photographs in Dentouwazaare but a small part of his body of work.

Nakamura Toshikazu is a warm and open person and wehave had the pleasure to spend many hours with him, talking about his work andthe way he views the tradition of Irezumi. These hours have led us towards thecreation of this book. It’s the third book in an ongoing series of presentingIrezumi the way we discover it as we delve deeper into its world of tradition,myth and beautiful iconography.

We first went to visit Nakamura Toshikazu on therecommendation of master Horiyoshi III of Yokohama. This was in the late summerof 2009, as we were photographing for Kokoro. Our first meeting was on a humidand incredibly warm night in the beginning of September, and we wereimmediately charmed by the work presented to us. So much in fact, that wedecided in the following year that we had to make a book showcasing NakamuraToshikazu’s distinct style and design.

We visited again in the autumn of 2010 in order tocapture photographs of his clients, as well as to have further conversations ofeverything Irezumi.

Dentouwaza will be released at the Milan Tattoo Convention 10-12 of February 2012, and pre-orders willbe taken as of December of 2011.

For information on how to pre-order Your copy, see top right corner of this blog.

Convention Banners by Kofuu-Senju Publications

2011-10-06T21:48:00.000+02:00

Convention banners designed by Kofuu-Senju Publications.

2011-10-03T21:22:00.001+02:00

We have added a brand new video on the Kofuu-Senju Publications YouTube channel. Watch master Horiyoshi III of Yokohama paint bamboo using traditional Japanese Sumi-e technique.

2011-10-02T21:09:00.003+02:00

Kofuu (Alex Reinke) has started a Kofuu-Senju Publications Youtube channel. Here we will post videos of things related to what we do. Be sure to check it out from time to time. We will of course let you know when we post new videos.

Enjoy!

Ozuma Kaname has left us this morning.

2011-09-27T22:49:00.001+02:00

Legendary painter Ozume Kaname died this morning after losing a short and uneven battle with cancer. His paintings on silk of, among other things, tattooed female figures often wearing designs by master Horiyoshi III of Yokohama, are regarded as masterworks by those familiar with the tradition of Irezumi.
We had the pleasure and priviligie to meet the late master painter in the spring of 2010 when we payed him a short visit together with amongst others Horiren.

He will be sadly missed by all.

Kofuu and Senju

To see examples of his outstanding work, please go here

Sale on slightly damaged copies of "Kokoro".

2011-09-27T22:04:00.000+02:00

What we are talking about here are copies of our Horiyoshi III photobook "Kokoro", that have minor damage to the cover. The inside is in superb condition.
When we get nearly a ton and a half of books delivered to our storage there is boound to be a few copies that slipped by the printer's final quality check. We have gathered these on a special shelf and discussed back and forth what to do with them. We arrived at the conclusion that selling them for a bit less would be a good thing.

So we are offering these copies for 125 Euro plus shipping (35 Euro) each. Please mail us at senju@kofuusenjupublicatons.com and make sure that copies still are available. After a OK from us you can just go ahead and place your order by paying the amount to our PayPal account (senju@kofuusenjupublications.com).

"Dentouwaza" is our new upcoming book.

2011-09-26T21:59:00.000+02:00

Dates are set for the release of our third book on Irezumi. It is to be named "Dentouwaza" and features the amazing traditional, all hand-tattooed works of Nakamura Toshikazu.
While photographing for "Kokoro" in 2009, on master Horiyoshi III's recomendation, we went to visit this amazing traditional irezumi artist on the southern island of Japan called Kyushu.

We were so impressed with the work he showed us, that we immediately started drawing up plans for a future book project dedicated to this relatively unknown horishi. In 2010 we headed back with full studio gear and photographed a selection of his clients. Together with a selection of Nakamura Toshikazu's own photographs of his clientele, this has now formed itself into a one of a kind book.

Again, we will bring you the highest quality irezumi in the highest quality book we can create.
For this project we will continue with the same proffessionals that printed our earlier efforts, even though they have now moved on to another equally exeptional printing company.

The release of "Dentouwaza" will take place at the Milan Tattoo Convention 10-12 of February 2012.

The edition is limited to 550 numbered copies only.

Half the copies of "Kokoro" already sold.

2011-05-02T21:44:00.002+02:00

Only three months has passed and only some 250 copies of our limited edition hardcover photobook on Horiyoshi III remains in stock. It has gone faster than we initially thought and this makes us more than happy. Further book projects are already in the works in order to present traditional Irezumi to the world.

Our first book of Horiyoshi III dragon paintings, "Ryushin", released in october last year, has already sold in about 500 copies. Since the limited edition for this one was 1000 copies, it seems that the two titles are competing neck to neck in sales.

Anyone out there that still want to secure copies of these titles can order them through this blog or by visiting our website.

(painting by Irezumi master Horiyoshi III)

"Kokoro" Promo Shots.

2011-04-10T08:55:00.002+02:00

Horiyoshi III book "Kokoro" recieves warm welcome.

2011-03-22T23:19:00.002+01:00

Since the release in february this year of our 550 copies limited edition new photobook on Horiyoshi III we have been met with nothing but warm words regarding its contents.
"Kokoro" is doing even better than expected, and this before we have even advertised or any reviews have been published. We hope to be sold out before the end of the year, if not before.

Our previous venture, "Ryushin", a new limited edition book of 199 original brush and ink paintings conitnues to sell at a steady rate as well.

This gives us the confidence to continue our work on the already planned future projects, of which at least one will see the light of day as autumn closes in.
Other plans are already in the making but it is still too soon to reveal these to the public.
It looks like Kofuu-Senju Publications is here to stay.

Stay tuned for further news as they unfold.

Tsunami: Horiyoshi III and his family are fine!

2011-03-13T23:18:00.002+01:00

Since we had lots of calls concerning Horiyoshi IIIs' well being we decided to post this on our blog. A few things in 3 of his Tattoo Studios broke but nothing mayor. Everybody is fine. Since the nuclear problems are getting worse no one knows how the situation will change.

Thanks for everyones concerns and their calls and emails. We have planned a trip to Japan for in 2 weeks time and are not sure if this trip is going to happen or not. We were lucky and fortunate not to have been there while it happened because this year we wanted to document the cherry blossom season so we scheduled our trip for the end of march instead.

Our new limited edition Horiyoshi III book selling fast! All pre-orders now sent out.

2011-03-02T08:43:00.004+01:00

Finally all the pre-orders are on their way to their reciepients. The limited hardcover edition of 550 numbered copies now has only about 300 copies left! This book is going fast, which feels as a strong indication that we actually managed to put something unique and good together, and that the public appreciates the effort.

A great "Thank You" to all our supporters out there!

Information on how to order our books can be found to the right in this blog.

(photograph by Alex Reinke, Yokohama, Japan 2010)

"KOKORO", our new photobook on Horiyoshi III is out now!

2011-02-23T12:43:00.002+01:00

Finally all the copies of "Kokoro" have arrived at our office. This is a strictly limited hardcover edition of 550 copies so be shure to order your copy soon. With launch sales at the Milan tattoo convention earlier this month plus all the pre-orders we have already effectively sold about 150 copies in just about two weeks!

The book was very well recieved in Milan, and all the copies we had with us sold out fast. The pre-orders are being sent out as you read this, in the order they were recieved. It should be completed in a day or so.

In order to obtain your copy, use the Paypal button on the right hand side of this blog, or visit www.kspublishers.com, click your way to "Books", find "Kokoro" and hit the "Pay Now" button and you have successfully secured a copy.

Soon!

2011-02-16T12:10:00.003+01:00

We only had a few launching copies of "Kokoro", our new photographic portraitof Horiyoshi III, with us to the Milan Tattoo Convention, and the bulk of the books are making its way to us by truck as I write this. Everyone that was wise and pre-ordered their copy will see them sent to them as soon as we recieve the shipment. The lowest possible number of each individual copy has been reserved for You, and we hope that you will soon be able to have a look at our latest book.

2011-02-09T16:44:00.007+01:00

From tomorrow Thursday 10th February 2011, both Kofuu and Senju re going to be at the Milano Tattoo Convention launching their 'KOKORO' book. Alex Kofuu Reinke Horikitsune will be tattooing there with his student Leon-san. Horiyoshi IIIs' son Soryo Kazuyoshi will also be there with his friend Horikazu-san both coming into Italy from Japan.

Come check it out, pick up a copy of our book and get tattooed :-).

"Kokoro" Preview

2011-01-24T22:37:00.004+01:00

All that now remains before the launching at the Milan Tattoo Convention of our latest book "Kokoro", a photo book on legendary irezumi master Horiyoshi III of Yokohama, is but a few weeks. There was considerable less posting here during the production and design of this project compared to when we were creating "Ryushin", but this was a whole other affair. So much energy went into the design, the selection and editing of photographs and writing. Time just flew by and we worked litterary around the clock the last three weeks before deadline.

As you read this, the printing of "Kokoro" is progressing according to our printers, Fälth & Hässler's, plan, flights and rooms for the Milan Tattoo Convention have all been booked and the finnishing touches to our new banners for the booth have been laid. Now it's just a long wait for those boxes full of boxes to arrive at the Kofuu-Senju office.

We have decided to reveal some of the contents of "Kokoro" here on this blog prior to the launching. The six pages above is accompanied by 194 others in the finnished work. It contains 260+ new photographs in a format similiar to "Ruyshin", but with a few subtle changes to better frame its contents. We chose a different paper and texture for the cover as well as another aproach to what's getting embossed or not on that very same. It was a matter of best bringing out the astounding sumi brushwork from the hand of our subject matter. He painted the callligraphy for the cover before our cameras last summer. It has since then become one of my favourites as far as zen calligraphy goes. You'll see.

Also we chose another paper for the body of the book in order to properly bring out the photgraphic work and give the images justice. We selected the photographs from a pile of about 2000, and it was probably the hardest part of the project. So many favourites had to be left out in order to create a good flow and just the right texture and feel.

This hardcover edition is strictly limited to 550 numbered copies, and to make sure you will be able to obtain a copy it is best to pre-order it. More info on how to go about doing this can be found here.

Hopefully we will see you in Milan 11-13 of february!

/Matti 'Senju' Sedholm Horimatsu

(Photographs by Alex Reinke & Matti Sedholm Japan 2009-2010)

Closer still

2011-01-13T22:23:00.003+01:00

Our printer, Fälth & Hässler, called today with the great news that all photographs to be featured in our new book on Horiyoshi III, "Kokoro", are now processed and ready for printing. We have checked that all the pages are in their correct order in the final document. Tomorrow I will recieve the proofs for the photos, which have to be checked and okayed, and then sent back. All in all the realization of our efforts is approaching, an almost unreal sensation. Usually there is a void, an emptiness, in the production for us once the book is handed over to our very skilled printers. Come the days just before the Milan tattoo convention we will finally have the result in our hands. Perhaps the longest, most anxious awaiting we have been subjected to since we started Kofuu-Senju Publications.

Pre-orders are coming in, and to make sure that you will be able to get a low number of this strictly limited hardcover edition of 55o copies only, please go here for info on how to place your pre-order.

(photograph by Alex Reinke, Yokohama, april 2010)

Mumonkan

2011-01-12T10:18:00.002+01:00

CASE 4. WAKU'AN'S "WHY NO BEARD?"

Waku'an (looking at Bodhidharma's picture) complained, "Why has that Barbarian no beard?"

Mumon's Comment:
If you study Zen, you must study it with all your heart. When you attain enlightenment, it must be true enlightenment. When you really meet Bodhidharma face to face, then you finally have gotten it right. However when you start explaining it with words, you have fallen into duality.

Do not explain your dream
Before a fool.
The barbarian has no beard,
How could you add obscurity to clarity?

Our latest book, "Kokoro", a photobook on irezumi master Horiyoshi III of Yokohama, is now available for pre-order. This 200 page, 250 plus photos, threadbound and hardcover edition is limited to 550 copies only. In order to make sure you will be able to obtain a copy, follow this link.

(photo by Matti 'Senju' Sedholm Horimatsu, Yokohama 2009)

2011-01-11T12:13:00.003+01:00

After months of intense work, especially in the past 3 weeks, we have finally made it to deliver the files of our flagship book KOKORO to the printers yesterday! Words cannot describe how happy we are with the outcome and we cannot wait to hold the book in our hands! If all goes as planned we will offer the first copies of our book at the Milano tattoo convention in February, of course after having sent out the ones we already sold to the early birds.

The book is limited to only 550 numbered copies and has the same dimensions as our last publication Ryushin. Again printed in Sweden by Fälth & Hässler it has 200 pages and is filled with texts from both authors Matti 'Senju' Sedholm and Alex 'Kofuu' Reinke, irezumi master Horiyoshi 3 (including some of his amazing calligraphy) and Alexs' Zen-master Julian 'Daizan' Skinner Roshi, plus old texts and koans of Zen master Dogen Zenji. Of course it shows loads of photographs taken in Japan by Matti and Alex. The photos depict mostly every day scenes of master Horiyoshi III, his tools and surroundings as well as Japanese nature shots, temples and city life. We try to give the observer a profound idea of the spirit of Kokoro, which surrounds everything Japanese, especially its craftsmanship.

The Kokoro book is already available for pre-orders (with pre-payment only) since a month or so. In order to get the lower numbers of the limited edition you need to be quick, as sales have picked up increasingly. more information on how to pre-order can be found here.

(Kokoro Calligraphy by Horiyoshi 3, Photo by Alex Reinke.)

2011-01-01T22:48:00.006+01:00

HAPPY NEW YEAR 2011 everyone!

(Photos by Alex Reinke Plettenberg, Dec.2010)

2010-12-25T12:04:00.005+01:00

Kofuu Senju Publications wishes you a merry christmas and a happy new year 2011!!! Thank you very much for all your support in 2010!!!

(Photo by Alex Reinke, London Dec.2010)

"Kokoro" Pre-order information.

2010-12-15T09:45:00.005+01:00

As our first book, "Ryushin", continues to sell at a steady rate, the release of our photographic portrait of Irezumi master Horiyoshi III of Yokohama is drawing near.

"Kokoro" will be a 24 x 34 cm hardcover and threadbound creation. It will feature 250+ new photographs painting a picture of the artist, his spirit and his work. The cover will be printed and embossed and all the book's features will meet our high personal standards.

"Kokoro" will be officially released at the Milano Tattoo convention on the 11-13th of February 2011.

All photographs were created by Kofuu (Alex Reinke/Horikitsune) and Senju (Matti Sedholm/horimatsu), and have never been published before.

"Kokoro" comes in a highly limited edition of 550 handnumbered copies only.

As of today, we are taking pre-orders. The pre-orders have to be payed in advance through our Paypal account and the price is 234 Euro including shipping.
The numbers of the individual copies will be assigned in the order the pre-orders are coming in. We will keep a list of these numbers and Your individual number can be obtained through contacting us via email.

Our Paypal account is senju@kofuusenjupublications.com.

When paying for Your copy, please state the book's title and how many copies ordered.

(photograph from Horiyoshi III's studio by Matti Sedholm, Yokohama, september 2009)

In the middle of everything

2010-12-06T20:24:00.002+01:00

The past few weeks I (Senju/horimatsu/Matti Sedholm) have been in the middle of what can at its best be described as some former of pleasant chaos.
At the same time as the winter darkness spreads its blanket of melancholy over the northern landscapes of Sweden, I have packed and shipped more copies of "Ryushin", worked hard on the selection of photographs for "Kokoro", as well as the graphic outlines of this upcoming book, and at the same time kept my private Irezumi work going.

It's been more than hectic, but achievement is a spirit full of rewards, piling up results and treasures from the treasury of hard work. We will soon be able to accept pre-orders for the higly limited hardcover edition of "Kokoro" (555 copies), and information on this will soon follow.

Please remember that if you would like to obtain your copy of "Ryushin" before christmas, orders have to be placed very soon.

/Senju

(photograph from Horiyoshi III's private collection by Alex reinke, Yokohama Japan april 2010)

Nikon P7000

2010-11-24T12:29:00.008+01:00

After many trips hauling lenses and bags, it has all shrunk down to the Nikon D700 and the Nikon 50/1.4 G lens. I realized some time ago that this is what is used in 97% of all the photographs I capture, so why sit like a fat rat on top of lenses that are of no use to me?

I took a while, but the lenses are sold by now, and the money invested in an other camera instead - the Nikon P7000. It's a compact (it's pretty big for being a compact but way smaller than my Nikon D700), and it of course has all the limitations of such a piece of machinery.
A huge and heavy DSLR is not something that is always with you, and ever since I took up photography I have searched for something that would not dissapoint me too much when I open the files in Lightroom.

A myriad of Canons, Nikons and even Panasonics have passed through my hands these last five years, but they have at their best simply made me want to cry. Until now, that is.

Just like Nikon waited and waited before releasing something like the D700 (that blew the competition away), I had to wait for many years before the people at Nikon finally came to their senses and designed a compact that actually works like a camera! It does!

I am not going to go into specifications, simply because I create photographs and have no inclination for hanging in forums nitpicking the far corners of obscure functions. neither do I shoot testcharts or worry about sharpness, resolution or speed. I base my judgement on the feeling in my guts.
What I want is something that looks like a real photograph when I open the file. Nikon has satisfied my desires on that point this time. If you try one out, you'll see for your self.

But do keep in mind that it doesn't really matter what camera you have, as long as you are pouring your heart and soul into your photography.

/Senju

(the above image was captured today in my office using the Nikon P7000)

Let the madness commence.

2010-11-23T13:34:00.003+01:00

There was so much work involved with creating "Ryushin", and it's safe to say the workload did not shrink the least after the successful release at the London Tattoo Convention late September this year. It merely shifted from from the creativity of designing a book to the creativity of packing and shipping the conclusion of the first action.

Now the real bulk of the designwork for "Kokoro", our photographical portrait of Horiyoshi III of Yokohama, is about to begin. Fingertips are paused in anticipation above the matte black plastic of the keys on the office computer. Literally thousands of photographs captured on our three latest visits in Yokohama, Kyoto, Eheiji (among others), has to be painfully destilled down into what would be a really good book. Sometimes it feels like the easiest way would be to run them all and never look back.

The framework of the design is already in place, continuing where "Ryushin" left off. We liked that simplicity, and it will back up the abundance of photos destined for a life within the covers of the book.
As the last remnants of the photgraphs captured on our latest visit (November this year) come into their final shape, selection will be the single biggest task at hand. Of course, that is not taking into consideration writing, selecting Koans and poems and ..........

(photograph of Senju/Horimatsu/Matti Sedholm at the Fudo Myoo temple in Yokohama was captured by Alex Reinke/Kofuu/Horikitsune in September 2009)

The Fox

2010-11-17T08:51:00.003+01:00

MUMONKAN

CASE #2; HYAKUJO'S FOX

Whenever Hyakujo delivered a Zen lecture, an old man was always there with the monks, listening to it; and when they left the Hall, so did he. One day, however, he remained behind, and Hyakujo asked,"Who are you?"

The old man replied," I am not a human being. In the far distant past, when the Kashapa Buddha (the Sixth Buddha of the Seven Ancient Buddhas) preached in this world, I was the head monk in this mountain area. On one occasion a monk asked me whether an enlightened man could fall again under the law of karma (cause and effect), and I answered that he could not. Thus I became a fox for 500 rebirths and am still a fox. I beg you to release me from this condition through your Zen words."

Then he asked Hyakujo,"Is an enlightened man subject to the law of karma?" Hyakujo answered, "No one is free from the law of Karma."

At the words of Hyakujo the old man was enlightened, and said with a bow, "I am now released from rebirth as a fox and my body will be found on the other side of the mountain. May I request that you bury me as a dead monk?"

The next day Hyakujo had the Karmadana, or deacon, beat the clapper and he informed the monks that after the midday meal there would be a funeral service for a dead monk. "No one was sick or died," wondered the monks. "What does our Roshi mean?" After they had eaten, Hyakujo led them to the foot of a rock on the furthest side of the mountain, and with his staff poked the dead body of a fox and had it ritually cremated.

In the evening Hyakujo gave a talk to the monks and told them this story of the law of Karma. Upon hearing the story, Obaku asked Hyakujo, "You said that because a long time ago an old Zen master gave a wrong answer he became a fox for 500 rebirths. But suppose every time he answered he had not made a mistake, what would have happened then?" Hyakujo replied, "Just come here to me, and I will tell you the answer!" Obaku then went up to Hyakujo......and slapped the teacher's face. Hyakujo, clapping his hands and laughing, exclaimed, "I thought the Persian had a red beard, but here is another one with a red beard!"

Mumon's Comment:
"The enlightened man is not subject to Karma." How can this answer make the monk a fox? "The enlightened man is not free from the law of karma." How can this answer release him from his fox's life? If you have one eye in regard to this, then you understand Hyakujo's (the old man's) dramatic 500 rebirths.

Free from karma or subject to it,
They are two sides of the same dice.
Subject to karma or free from it,
Both are irredeemable errors.

(photograph from Kennen-ji, Kyoto, Japan. November 2010 by Matti Sedholm/Senju/Horimatsu)

Myth

2010-11-15T08:52:00.003+01:00

When polishing the mirror of everyday life, it becomes evident that most of what you believe to be true and absolute is really not. Reality is an agreement with the self and others concerning the issue of understanding the reality around you. This is where the confusion begins.

In lack of own experience, we start adding "truths" to our mental hard drive already at an early age. This is quite understandable and perhaps very necessary as well. To prevent the stars and the moon from falling down into the sea, we attach to them the qualities needed to leave them where they are, and go about our daily business of food, shelter and sometimes procreation.

We often regard reality as complex and hard to grasp. We ponder problems and invent so(u)lutions, still ending up in the bathroom with that empty roll of toiletpaper. What to do?

In all reality, reality is no more complex than the piece of rock on the ground before you. It is what it is.
Rock.
Our imagination can, out of fear, turn this rock into any shape necessary to patch the complex web of illusion that we call Life. Nevertheless, it is still a rock. There is perhaps something called truth, but don't believe for a second that what you call true is really that - true.

Keep polishing the mirror and it will become clear.

/Senju

(photograph of Horiyoshi III's work by Matti Sedholm, Yokohama November 2010)

Return into this life.

2010-11-11T12:26:00.003+01:00

Almost a week has now passed since our return to Europe.
Up here in the north of Sweden, the snow has started to fall, covering the everyday life of humans in a velvet blanket of whiteness. It is as usual a dualistic emotion that strikes. The loss of simpler ways versus the hardships of the pure but harsh mistress that is winter.

The visit to Japan remains a blur of Irezumi, photography, sun, rain, insights and spiritual gifts bestowed on the ones in such a dire need of paths to walk.

The collecting of visual material for our spiritual portrait of Irezumi master horiyoshi III of Yokohama has now ended. Floating chest high in visual expressions of things that have such difficulties assuming the shape of words, we are now left with the final stages of the creation of "Kokoro".

We are as eager as You, perhaps more so, to see what spectre we will be able to conjure up. When everything is a the tip of ones tounge, it becomes difficult to speak.

Some news on "Kokoro";

The hardcover edition will be limited to 555 copies only.
In the coming weeks we will establish the final outline of the book, and as soon as the price is set, we will make it available for pre-order. Due to the extremely small edition, pre-orders have to be payed when placed.

Expect more news in the next few days.

(photograph from Horiyoshi III's studio by Matti Sedholm, Yokohama November 2010)

Kofuu-Senju Publications shooting for new Irezumi book "Dentobori"

2010-10-30T13:05:00.006+02:00

Today we spent the whole day shooting for our upcoming book on hand tattooing Irezumi master Nakamura Toshikazu from Fukuoka, Japan. After setting up our lights and other equipment the day flew by in a blur of amazing traditional Japanese tattoo pieces, all of which will form the visual outline for a book we feel will become a classic.

Weather in Fukuoka proved a shift from the rainy and windy Yokohama we arrived in, all due to a shift in direction of the approching cyclone we feared was going to affect our visit to this southern island of Japan.

We remind any buyers of "Ryushin" that no books will be shipped until our return to europe in the end of the upcoming week.

For a while.

2010-10-24T23:46:00.003+02:00

Tomorrow is packing day.
Hustling frantically to get the camera gear stowed away and trying not to forget to bring fresh underwear. Toothbrush, earplugs and maybe a good book. Always confusing.....packing up for a trip to Japan.

This past month has been thrilling, to say the least. It's not everyday that people publish books they only dreamed about publishing a few years back. Seemingly out of nowhere we pulled "Ryushin" (with a great deal of help adn suport from Horiyoshi III), and it's beyond rewarding to hold a work you yourselves created in trembling hands. What cannot be achieved after this?

We have so many ideas, so many leads, and so little time. If we could have our way we would fill up bookshelves in this instant. before that, of course, always comes hard and dilligent work.

Seems like ages since I lifted the camera spiritually to capture the illusive ghosts and demons of reality. Now it beckons me for attention. "Use me", it whispers from its tucked away existance in the black camera bag beside the desk where the double screens display the first outlines of the pages for "Kokoro". There's no telling where we will end up this time, friends. All I am sure of, is that the universe will gently place us where we need to be.

We will try to find time and opportunity to update this blog when on our travels in Japan, but sometimes internet connections are few and far inbetween. But rely on at least something from us in the bext two weeks.

Until then.

/Senju

(photograph of Horiysohi III's work by Alex Reinke, Yokohama, Japan 2010)

On Photography (Irezumi)

2010-10-22T21:23:00.004+02:00

The beauty lies within the loss of the moment

/Senju

(photograph of Maiko in Gion, Kyoto, Japan created by Matti Sedholm/Senju)

Six Days

2010-10-21T09:58:00.003+02:00

Woke up to the realization that winter is rapidly approaching up here in the north. Seven degrees minus celsius this morning. Everything changes. Summer tires on the car makes driving to the office a bit more exiting than I would like it to be. Thank heavens I am going to Japan next week.

Only a few days left to order "Ryushin" before we go to Japan. Shipping will end on the 25th and resume on the 6th of November.

Those pre-orders of "ryushin" that are not already payed are now regarded as void, and those copies will be added as available. We are very pleased with the interest our book has gained, and will continue sending out books as fast as we possibly can.

(photograph from the Yokohama Tattoo Museum created by Alex Reinke, autumn 2009)

Mere seven days

2010-10-19T23:22:00.004+02:00

In a week we'll be landing in Japan in order to attempt a conclusion in gathering material for our upcoming book "Kokoro". Since the project was first initiated it has taken its turns, metamorphosing and evolving. To try to paint this portrait of Horiyoshi III has proved to be a task of catching a soul, a ghost.

At first there were only images and silent whispers. They later turned into the urge for words. An urge to tell something beyond what has already been said. At the present we are staring a ghost in the face, not really shure how to react or what to say. But there's a strong sense of being grateful for the experience and the opportunity to express. As the last and feverishly hectic months of producing this book will commence short upon our homecoming, I am sure we'll see more colors in the scales of the dragon.

"kokoro" will not be a lot of things.
That we know.
It will not be a biography in the traditional sense of the word. Neither a book of tattoos solely. We have felt that there is more to this than the visulaity of it all, and we're trying to find out what that "more" is.
Of course the book will contain lots of images of Irezumi, along with all the other things that we have picked up on the way, but in order for the traditional Japanese tattoo to come into existence, there has to be "Kokoro", the soul, the heart of things. Maybe Horiyoshi III can tell us what that is. And show us.

While waiting for the release of this book, please explore Horiyoshi III's work in our newly released book "Ryushin". A work that hopefully has pointed out the direction in which we are heading.

(photograph of Horiyoshi III's Irezumi work by Matti Sedholm, Yokohama, Japan 2009)

Lull.

2010-10-17T21:06:00.003+02:00

In between 25/10 and 7/11 we will be on the field (Japan) working on our upcoming bookprojects, so there will be a lull in the shipping activities for "Ryushin". If you want to order this limited edition book, and make sure we can ship it before we go, please place your order no later than 24/10. Usually books go out within twentyfour hours, and sometimes fortyeight, so last minute orders can be taken care of. You can order it on the right hand top of this blog.

Plans are laid and gear is being packed for the photographing of "Nakamura's World". We look forward to present this traditional Japanese tattoists take on things, and it wouldn't be surprising if some images end up on this blog before the actual book is printed and shipped.

We will try to update the blog as much as possible when we are in Japan, so make sure to check in once in a while.

During the last month we have been totally immersed in the selling and shipping of copies of "Ryushin" and we are truly grateful for the outstanding reception it has gotten, both inside and outside of the tattoo community. Thanks!

Important on the pricing of "Ryushin".

2010-10-11T11:51:00.004+02:00

Due to "currency wars" and ongoing "twists" in the worlds economy at the moment we have decided to set the price of "Ryushin" in Euro (€) instead of the Swedish krona. At the moment the Swedish currency is one of the strongest, which makes our books more and more expensive for buyers worldwide with each day that passes. The Euro is more balanced against the dollar and in the future we will set our prices in abovementioned currency.

The price will now be 199 € plus 35 € for packing and shipping.

This of course means that some indivudals that has already bought the book through our blog has in reality payed a higher price. For these buyers there will be a 15% discount on the next book they choose to purchase. If anyone wants to discuss this matter with us, please send us a mail at senju@kofuusenjupublications.com

(photograph from Konchi-in, Kyoto, Japan by Matti Sedholm 2008)

Rain-WInd-Grey-Cold

2010-10-07T13:37:00.002+02:00

Another day of grey, steel-cold, bitter October. September beauty left without saying goodbye properly. I miss her. Another morning spent in the storage room packing books and writing invoices. Am I happy? I have no complaints.

(photograph from Gion, Kyoto, Japan by Matti Sedholm 2008)

Past Week/New Ways

2010-10-06T09:49:00.003+02:00

Strange how fast a week can pass you by. Since the copies of "Ryushin" arrived there has been little time for anything else than packing and shipping. Luckily enough we set it up beforehand, so that boxes, packing materials etc, was ready.
Being a tattooer and photographer, it's not a working day I'm used to, but I welcome the change with open arms.

To become stagnant is the worst enemy of creativity, and creativity hides everywhere in life. If you try to perform the task at hand the best you can, pretty soon it all becomes equally rewarding. Strange how packing books and riding to the post office can trigger new outlooks on the backgrounds for my Irezumi, or point me towards new subject matter in photography.

This past week Kofuu-Senju Publications have had to butt heads with PayPal several time. As we have chosen this payment option, because of its reputed easy-to-handleness, we have found it not so easy at all.
For instance, when we send out our money requests to buyers of "Ryushin", it comes out in swedish only. Suddenly the inbox was full of confused buyers not being able to make out what it said. I called PayPal, and they simply said that this is how it works. You get assigned the language of your native country when signing up, and there's nothing that can be done about it.
This has cost me many hours huddled over the keyboard at the office. Frustrating. What was supposed to be easy became a minefield of correspondance.

Finally, a buyer came up with a simple solution! Instead of us asking the buyer for the money, they can simply pay send us the money from their own PayPal account. Simple as that! Everyone can now do it in their own preffered language. Thanks, Geoff!

We're now counting down to our next visit to Japan. We're going to finalize the material for our upcoming photo book on Horiyoshi III, "Kokoro", as well as photograph and collect the material for our upcoming book on Japanese traditional tattooist Nakamura Toshikazu. "Nakamura's World" (working title so far), is scheduled for next autumn. Probably we'll be negotiating with another exellent Horishi, about an upcoming book project on him as well.
Busy,busy, busy........
But fun!

If anyone that has pre-ordered "Rysushin" ahs not recieved their money request from us, or if any other problem regarding this is occuring, please let us know.
make sure to check your spam folder, just in case some important update on Your order has ended up there.

Now its back to packing and shipping.

/Senju

(photograph of Nakamura Toshikazu by Alex Reinke, Fukuoka, Japan 2009)

Globailty.

2010-09-29T23:52:00.002+02:00

Today was spent on the phone with Paypal, wondering why the removing of the acceptance limitations took such a long time. Once that was sorted, I could finally send out invoices to people in England, the Netherlands, Germany, Sweden, Italy, USA, Luxembourg, Canada, Australia and Poland. Seems that this book of ours will travel the globe in the near future.

If somebody didn't get their invoice, please let us know, and we'll immediately correct it!

/Senju

(photograph from Horiyoshi III's studio in Yokohama was captured by Matti Sedholm 2009)

Arrival.

2010-09-28T11:04:00.003+02:00

Hauling 1300 kilos of books onto an elevator and drag them through a hallway and then finally stack the boxes up in the storage space....well, I am happy it's not the central part of creating good books on Irezumi. I will cut short the usual ramblings and leave you with the first hastily captured photographs of Kofuu-Senju Publications first publishing effort. I am very pleased with the result. It came out as a very solid creation, and finally all doubts can be put to rest. The limited edition "Ryushin" can for now be easily ordered by simply sending us an email at senju@kofuusenjupublications.com, stating your name and shipping adress. We will return with a PayPal invoice including packing and shipping. Once that is payed the book goes in the mail.

"Ryushin" delivery update.

2010-09-27T21:04:00.002+02:00

As all foolproof systems, shipping is of course a subject of margins of errors. The delivery of the copies of "Ryushin" was originally set for wednesday this week, then changed for today. After waiting most of the day at the office I called them up and got notified that delivery will in actuality occur tomorrow(!). Confusing, yes, but not really a problem.

Of a more problematic nature is the news that I am awaiting 1,3 tons (!) of books, and I am the only person there to haul the boxes into storage. Seems like that long overdue workout is about to happen.

More news tomorrow.

"Ryushin", our new Horiyoshi III book, was well recieved at the London Tattoo Convention.

2010-09-27T09:06:00.003+02:00

Alex Reinke (Horikitsune, Kofuu) represented Kofuu-Senju Publications, as well as the Horiyoshi III Family, at the London Tattoo Convention that was held this past weekend. Together with him was Kazuyoshi (Horiyoshi III's son) and their friend Horikazu.
The convention was a busy one, and the release of "Ryushin" was highly anticipated as well as very well recieved. Booksales exeeded our expectations, and we are really pleased with the outcome of the weekend.

Myself could not attend this (for us) historic event, but was kept updated daily on the developments. Today I sit anxiously awaiting the delivery of the "Ryushin" copies destined for the Kofuu-Senju Publications swedish office. As soon as they arrive I will post images of the finnished work at this blog, as well as start mailing out copies to all those who pre-ordered it.
It's a lot of work, but it's a lot of fun as well!!

Keep your eyes peeled for the next post!

/Senju

(photograph from Fukuoka, snatched from the car as we rode to meet Nakamura Toshikazu late last summer, wa captured by Alex Reinke)

Day Off.

2010-09-21T11:27:00.005+02:00

Tuesday. Raining. Sitting around waiting for a shipment of packing materials for "Ryushin".
As soon as the books arrives on monday next week, the shipping out begins to all those who made reservations of "Ryushin", the new dragon book by Horiyoshi III.
Seems almost like a day off.

/Senju

(photograph from Nanzen-ji captured by Matti Sedholm, Kyoto, Japan spring 2007)

"Ryushin", our new Horiyoshi III book, will be available at the London Tattoo Convention.

2010-09-20T08:41:00.003+02:00

Friday morning I spoke to the bookbinders as they were approaching the completion of the printing process of "Ryushin". As in most cases, ample time shrunk down into a hair's width, but they seem to be able to deliver the first threehundred copies to London before noon on the 24th of September.
Unless ships are sunk or aeroplanes crash, you will be able to see the finnished work first hand at the London Convention this coming weekend. The book will be sold at the Horiyoshi III Family booth. Look for it and you will most certainly find it.

The rest of the books will arrive here in Umeå around the same time, and all of you out there around the world that already reserved your copy will be getting your Paypal invoices in the inbox. This also means that we will be able to finally show the finnished work here on this blog, and that I am going to spend many hours packing and shipping.

Info on how to reserve a copy can be found at the top of the right hand column of this blog.

/Senju

(photograph captured by Matti Sedholm, Nanzen-in, Kyoto, Japan autumn 2007)

Irezumi continues to be main theme for Kofuu-Senju Publications.

2010-09-17T08:49:00.004+02:00

A mere seven days remains until our Horiyoshi III dragon book "Ryushin" can finally meet its public. Being the first effort of two persons that one day decided to make the books they themselves wanted to buy, it's a nervewrecking week of awaiting response and reactions.

The past six months have been inspirational but rough. Where do you begin when you have never made a book before? And how the hell is it done? The answers were definetely fewer than the questions. So many things to suddenly learn –typography, book editing software, delivering for print, paper qualities, bookbinding options, promotion, transportation, storing.....

It seemed endless in the beginning. I am sure that the professional in any of the aforementioned fields will find faults in our productions, but we decided at an early stage to try to keep all the necessary required parts of the process in-house. When making books on subjects that are close to the heart for us, it seemed unatural to leave it to somebody else to interpret our intentions. Maybe that comes from the years of dilligent struggle to interpret Irezumi and it's related cultural phenomena? At least I like to think so.

The approach to making the Kofuu-Senju books is to treat each book as a separate work of art. I myself has always been passionately interested in finding the alternatives that fit into my own way of relating to the world around me. In a sense this is the same credo that sustains Horiyoshi III's constant development artistically, called Shuhari in japanese. Basically this means that you first learn the tradition, then tear it down in order to create something beyond the former.

So what is a book really? In its fundamental sense , it's a set number of pages with some content within the borders of the front and the back of the covers. I even would like to go so far as to say that the pages within could even be blank! The rule being no-rule, meaning that the image of a book is, as anything else purely subjective to the its creator. Kofuu-Senju Publications have made this their starting point in book creating and designing.

With "Ryushin" soon fresh from the printers, and "Kokoro" well underway in design, we are now looking forward to future projects. In order to present to you some kind of an release-schedule, we've figured it out like this:

24th of September 2010: "Ryushin"

Around the turn of the year 2010/2011: "Kokoro"

Early autumn 2010: "Ryushin II" and "Nakamura's
World"

Sometime during 2011: Another book about a Japanese
Irezumi artist. Plans are laid but
not finalized. The name will be
released at a later date.

Of course, Since the only rule is No-rule, our creative minds will probaly find more things of interest to create books around during this period, so make sure you return to this blog to get the information as it unfolds.

For those unable to attend the London Tattoo Convention next weekend there's always the possibility to reserve a copy of "Ryushin" beforehand. Just click here.

/Senju

(Photograph of recent horiyoshi III Irezumi work was created by Alex Reinke in Yokohama, Japan April 2010.)

On Irezumi.

2010-09-15T09:13:00.004+02:00

When you study Irezumi it is necessary to go beyond mere linework and shading. The pigment inserted into the skin is just a conclusion of what came before that moment. The fundamental uniqueness of Irezumi lies in its gathering of all the possible aspects of Japanese culture and history, transforming the sum of them into a spiritual and visual brocade.
Irezumi draws its power from zen, ink, paper, demons, ghosts, heroes and myth, as well as the chilled and canned café au lait that you get from one of the inumerable vending machines on any street corner in modern day Japan.

Irezumi is not old. It just started long ago. It's a common mistake to think that by practising Irezumi, you are dwelling on the past, preserving it. Irezumi is a continuous phenomena, meant to evolve and never to sit still and sulk in the dusty robe of history. Just like the Japanese garden, it is meant to explore, and with every corner and turn, there's new scenery to experience and benefit from.

(Photograph from Koto-in, Kyoto, Japan was created by Matti Sedholm in March 2007)

Nakamura Toshikazu, "Kokoro" and the running cat.

2010-09-14T13:07:00.005+02:00

What can one do when creativity comes knocking? There's no use struggling to remain calm and sane. Like swimming against a raging river, it becomes an exercise in futility. Let go of the last piece of driftwood and take the plunge.

This autumn we're going down to Fukuoka to photograph for our upcoming book on traditional shamisenbori tattooist Nakamura Toshikazu. His style is based on the same culture as Horiyoshi III of Yokohama, still geographical, personal and other differences sees the artistic results in a whole different dress. It will be very interesting to approach his work phographically, since time place and subject twists the arm of creation. What form will we discover this time?

All the initial photography form our next book, "Kokoro", a journey into the spirit of horiyoshi III, has now been edited. This means in no way that we are even close to the finnished book. Now comes selection, wrestling with the contextual form and giving it a final shape in design.
time runs faster than a cat who's tail caught fire! Grab hold!

(photograph of Horikazu captured on a river boat in Fukuoka, Japan, September 2009 by Alex reinke. Irezumi work by Horiyoshi III)

"Ruyshin" book facts

2010-09-10T13:12:00.005+02:00

Well, Facebook does not seem to budge an inch, so I guess we're back to the homing pigeons. Quite incredible how such a enormous piece of digital machinery can be so incompetent. Possibly this will be the end of Kofuu-Senju Publications Facebook endeavours. If FB can't come to their digital senses, we'll rely on old fashioned blogging for communication.

As promised yesterday I will post the book facts (size etc) right here, right now.

Book Facts:

Limited edition of 2000 copies.

Hardcover and threadbound.

Embossed cover title and spine.

24 x 34 cm (aprox. 9,5 x 13,5 inches)

208 pages printed on uncoated 150 gr Scandia 2000 paper.

Careful editing and personal design by Kofuu-Senju Publications

Printed by Fälth & Hässler, Sweden.

Featuring photography by Alex Reinke and Matti Sedholm

So, there it is. Remember, it is possible to reserve your copy/copies of "Ryushin" by sending an email to senju@kofuusenjupublications.com. State Your name and shipping adress and we will reply with an Paypal invoice as soon as the book arrives. Set release date is September 24th 2010, at the London Tattoo Convention.

(photograph captured at temple close to Yanaka Cemetary, Tokyo, Japan by Matti Sedholm autumn 2007)

"Ryushin" - the dragons of Horiyoshi III

2010-09-09T09:39:00.005+02:00

Here we show 4 samples from our new book "Ryushin". There's a 195 more inbetween the covers, and it's a comprehensive collection of Horiyoshi III's latest and perhaps most succesful effort to capture the spirit of the Japanese dragon (Ryu). This morning a mailman knocked at my door with an express delivery - a sample of the printed version of "Ryushin" for approval. I could do nothing but immediately do so. Until now, decisions concerning paper and editing has been locked away in one's and zero's on a string of computers. This morning I could finally see that all that hard work payed off.

Of course, the cover still remains to bo unveiled to us, as that's the binder's business, and not the printer's. So in a way we are still sitting on needles here.

Facebook are still locked down in its game of Catch 22. This morning I was finally able to add my phone in order to get a code texted to me, but no text message showed up. At this point I am not so surprised. The Iphone Facebook app still doesn't work, and I have come to regard this phenomena as a boat full of holes. One of these days I might get back in there again, but my hopes are vanquished and full of dust by now.

Tomorrow we'll be posting the final facts on the book (size etc).

Pressreleasing.

2010-09-08T11:40:00.003+02:00

When trying to spread information on our new Horiyoshi III book, "Ryushin", via Facebook yesterday, something odd happened. Suddenly facebook wanted me to confirm my identity by adding a mobile phone. However facebook doesn't support mobile phone carriers from Sweden so there was no way I could do that technically.
Now my option was to obtain a code so I could upload my mobile phone number anyway, but in order to do this I have to be logge in, which is impossible since I cannot add a phone. Catch 22 indeed. I then turned to my Iphone for facebook acess, but there I can't log in either. Facebook says my username and password is incorrect (which it is not. Tried a million times). so here we are - Facebookless at the peak of our publishing efforts. One can only smile, and miss the age of the homing pigeon a little bit.

Otherwise the day has been spent mailing out pressreleases to tattoo magazines. Quite a mindnumbing task after a while. Nevertheless, I pushed through, so that is taken care of as well.

So what to do now? I am preparing three sneak previews of the paintings featured in the book for tomorrows blog. Be sure to stop back for that little event as well.

/Senju

(photograph from Samukawa Jinya captured by Alex reinke, Japan april 2010)

Kokoro - Kofuu-Senju Publications next book on Horiyoshi III of Yokohama.

2010-09-07T08:58:00.004+02:00

"Kokoro" (heart, mind, spirit) is the title of our next book project. Originally, it was our first idea, but when visiting Horiyoshi III in april this year, he showed his latest dragon ink paintings to us and asked if this would not be a great Kofuu-Senju project. We could nothing but to resppond to the obvious, and decided to publish "Ryushin" before "Kokoro".

The idea of making "Kokoro" sprung to life late 2008 and it is a conclusion of our studies in Irezumi and its related culture and history. Over the years pieces had been assembled into a puzzle, (always to be incomplete) and the image of it started communicating with us on a more spiritual level.

There have been a number of books on Horiyoshi III's magnificent catalogue of work, but we felt that something was lacking. Often these books visually presented the works of art but never the creator behind them. In a sense, the traditional Japanese tattoos of Horiyoshi III were merely hung like paintings in a gallery. Where was the context? Where was Horiyoshi III?

When we, (Alex and Matti), first met, we immediately discovered that we had many things in common when it came to the appreciation of Japanese culture. We were both deeply moved by Zen buddhism and it concepts, we dabbled in Japanese martial arts and we had started to se patterns and connections inbetween these various phenomena. We were both pursuing Irezumi in a most serious way, and in the midst of all this a pattern of thought, emotion and insight emerged.

"Kokoro" will be a visual expression of these patterns. Often words jumbles up even the most simple of concepts and we will try to show the phenomena of Horiyoshi III, Irezumi and Kokoro in a graphic form. "Kokoro" will contain a large amount of newly captured photography, both of Horiyoshi III as an artist, in private and in portraiture, as well as many new images of his Irezumi work, both new and old. This will be set in combination with short texts, poetry, zen, and the things that surface in the process..

It will be a big book, and the photography will be of high quality. and we will use renowned swedish printers Fälth & Hässler in order to ensure the highest quality in the finnished product.

Meanwhile, don't forget to reserve your copy of "Ryushin", which is released very soon! You can obtain information on how to do this here.

(photograph of Horiyoshi III writing "kokoro" was captured by Matti Sedholm in Yokohama, Japan autumn 2009)

Inbetween one Horiyoshi III book and another Horiyoshi III book.

2010-09-06T12:40:00.004+02:00

"Ryushin" is at the mercy of the printers (Fälth & Hässler), and I pray they have mercy on my soul. There's a slight void, a creative emptiness, that lingers at the office these past few days. The work on "Kokoro", our second book on the subject of Horiyoshi III and Irezumi has already begun. Thousands of photographs have been sorted, selected, rejected and made their transformation from RAW to printables. There are still a few hundred to process, but then the actual designing of the work will begin.

"Kokoro" started as one idea, transformed into another, and finally returned to the original one. We feel fairly confident in the original idea, and have decided to run with it.
With only a few months until the actual printing of that work, this office (Senju's) and the other (Kofuu's) will once again be filled with creative energy. There will also be plenty of despair and desperation, of course. Wouldn't wanna be without it.

While you are waiting for news on "Kokoro", make sure to reserve you copy of "Ryushin". There's a limited amount of copies being made, and the pre-orders have started coming in.
Don't miss out. More info on how to pre-order your copy can be found here.

/Senju

(photograph from Fushimi Inari, outside Kyoto, was created by Matti Sedholm November 2008)

Reserve a copy of the upcoming Horiyoshi III book "Ryushin".

2010-09-04T13:36:00.006+02:00

It is now possible to reserve Your copy/copies of "Ryushin". Official release date is 24/9 at the London Tattoo Convention. With only a few weeks until release we are now taking Your resevations. Send an e-mail to senju@kofuusenjupublications.com and let us know your name, adress and how many copies you want. When the book is out we'll send you an e-mail Paypal invoice. Just click the Pay Now button and the wheels are in motion.

Remember that this is a limited Edition work. No more than 2000 copies will be made. No softcover edition and no revised editions.

Facts on "Ryushin" (size, content etc) can be found here, here and here.

The price is 2000 SEK plus shipping. Further facts on this book will be released during the coming weeks.

(photograph from Kennin-ji, Kyoto, Japan was created by Matti Sedholm in October 2008)

Ryushin - dragon illustrations by Horiyoshi III of Yokohama

2010-09-01T10:10:00.004+02:00

The final changes and corrections have been made to the design of "Ryushin", our upcoming book of new Horiyoshi III designs. The phone and the mailbox are silent and empty now. Seems like I finally did everything right and the printers can get busy on all their magic. There's still three more weeks until "Ryushin" becomes paper and covers to me, instead of ones and zeros in my computer. There is probably, but not hopefully, some mistakes and faults in there, as Horiyoshi III himself would maybe comment - "It's all Human Life".

What remains now is a few days rest before the bulk of work on "Kokoro", our upcoming photographic book on Horiyoshi III and his heart beginns. Almost all the photographs are processed and ready for selection. We have thousands to choose from, and selecting will probably be the most difficult part of that project. It's very tricky to now when to stop creating photographs around a project. Personally I could go on for a hundred years, if allowed. Fortunately I am not.

(photograph of Horiyoshi III clients created by Matti Sedholm/Senju in Yokohama, Japan 2009)

Horiyoshi III, "Ryushin" and the art of never finnishing.

2010-08-30T11:06:00.006+02:00

The weekend didn't turn out to be all the rest that I imagined when it started. Being the first book we design everything had to be done at least three times. Mistakes slip through fingers like small fish, and as soon as I uploaded a file something else showed up. The weekend was spent bent over the laptop fending of sick kids, trying to concentrate on correcting what was amiss, and at the same time trying to be a family father.
Well, what doesn't kill you makes you......I don't know....a little wiser, at least.

Anyway, the book should be in print now, and all that remains is waiting.

New plans for visiting Japan has been made as well. We hopefully start shooting for the Nakamura book in the beginning of November this year. This time we'll bring professional lighting, but I am not sure if that's what we're using when it all boils down. Me and Alex are fans of natural light, so if opportunity presents itself we might end up not even unpacking the big flashes, softboxes and tripods. Photography is best performed as simple as possible. Focus and flow. Not fiddling about with buttons.

In all, things are best performed on an intuitive basis. It's the mind and belly that needs liberating. When this is done, anything is possible! "Getting it right" is the business of killing intuition on the spot. Rules are just a starting point for breaking them, but simply breaking them in lack of anything wiser to do, will just make it look imature and to early to pick from the creatiative tree. Just relax. You'll now when it's right. Inhale. Exhale. Again.

/Senju

(photography of Tokyo sunset created by Matti Sedholm, Tokyo, Japan 2008)

Work, rest. Then work.

2010-08-27T09:39:00.003+02:00

Close to midnight last night the finnished work of "Ryushin" was uploaded to the printers server. Hopefully everything will be to the printers pleasure so there can finally be and end to this weeks daily 12-hour shifts in front of the computer. As always, the final moments of designing a work like this saw some changes to the better. Some photography was included, one painting was pulled because of layout reasons, and paper and covermaterial was replaced for better choices.
I have all the confidence necessary for Fälth & Hässler, the printers, for making this a work to be proud of. Any mistakes or faults in the production will be entirely on our hands.
If all goes according to plan the book will arrive in London in time for the London Tattoo Convention, which starts on the 24th of september, and those interested in obtaining a copy can do so there.
The book will also be available through our website and this blog. Bear in mind that "ryushin" runs in a limited edition of 2000 hardcover copies, and that no more will be printed after that. There will not be a softcover edition since we aim to keep a high quality profile.

Today I am resting by the computer editing photos for our upcoming book on Horiyoshi III himself called "Kokoro", which should, if all goes well, be ready sometime in the end of the year.

/Senju

(photograph of Senju sitting in zazen at Shunko-in, Kyoto, Japan, was created by Alex Reinke in september 2009)

End Game.

2010-08-24T08:34:00.002+02:00

The last breaths are exhausted this week on the design of "Ryushin", our book on Horiyoshi III's new dragon ink and brush paintings.
I have been researching and crossreferencing the translations of the charachters appearing in the book so many times now, that I feel completely full to the brim with new knowledge. Perhaps that is the most unexpected and welcome side effect of doing this - all the new insights, aha's and piling up of knowledge.
Knowledge in it self has no real purpose. there's no point in hoarding it like a squirrel hoarding nuts for the winter. No, it's when the knowledge is put in a practical context it becomes allive and breathing. Then it can be your best friend.

There is such a thing as knowing to much.
Reality easily becomes distorted when the mind is cluttered with facts and theories. It's fine line inbetween living in the real world or simply sheltering in a creation of your own imagination.

The older I get, the more I understand how little I understood back then when I thought I knew it all. In reality, I can easily say that I know less now than before, but more of what I know now is real and not imagination or confusion. Knowledge is not truth. It's just a pile of stuff.

/senju

(photograph captured by Matti Sedholm, Horiyoshi III's studio, Yokohama, late summer 2009)

The fastest time in the universe....

2010-08-19T21:59:00.003+02:00

.....is not in this mans eyes, but shoots like a rocket through my life right now.
Today I finally got the order of the paintings for "Ryushin" set and ready. Now it's time for creating the index of characters portrayed and establish some type of pagination.

Creating a book like this fuels the creative part of the I, and ideas swirl by faster than renegade satellites. Juices are flowing. The artistic adrenalin pumping.
I will be tired come the 28th of August.

/Senju

(photograph captured in Kyoto by Matti Sedholm. October 2007)

Approaching cataclysm. Two weeks until deadline for Horiyoshi III book.

2010-08-16T14:05:00.006+02:00

Summer has returned briefly here in the north of Sweden, and everything is sticky and hot. As I return to more steady work schedules I find us approaching deadline for the printing of "Ryushin" at the speed of light.
There's comfort in the realization that this has always been the way Deadlines approaches us.

All the paintings are edited and about 60 titles brushed in Horiyoshi III's expressive hand remains to be added, and after that the shape of the book as a whole can take form. Many things are already nailed down when it comes to the graphical aspects and typesetting, but I am sure there are many hidden trapdoors and creative assassins before we reach the printed conclusion of everybody's efforts.

(photograph captured by Matti Sedholm, Konchi-in, Kyoto; Japan 2008)

The Work of Horiyoshi III of Yokohama.

2010-08-14T08:31:00.002+02:00

(photograph captured by Matti Sedholm at Horiyoshi III's Studio, Yokohama, Japan 2009)

End of Summer

2010-08-11T09:44:00.002+02:00

We're now at the finnishing end of the editing of Horiyoshi III's ink and brush paintings for our book "Ryushin" (to be released at the London Tattoo Convention 24th of September this year), and the deadline from the printers is just a few weeks away. A lot of work still remains.
What a fortunate thing that the summer is dying away.

(photograph captured by Matti Sedholm at Konchi-in, Kyoto, Japan 2008)

The Gateless Gate #1

2010-08-05T08:55:00.003+02:00

CASE 1. JOSHU'S DOG

A monk asked Joshu: "Has a dog Buddha nature?"
Joshu replied, "Mu"

Mumon's Comment:
For the pursuit of Zen, you must pass through the barriers (gates) set up by the Zen masters. To attain his mysterious awareness one must completely uproot all the normal workings of one's mind.

If you do not pass through the barriers, nor uproot the normal workings of your mind, whatever you do and whatever you think is a tangle of ghost.

Now what are the barriers? This one word "Mu" is the sole barrier. This is why it is called the Gateless Gate of Zen. The one who passes through this barrier shall meet with Joshu face to face and also see with the same eyes, hear with the same ears and walk together in the long line of the patriarchs. Wouldn't that be pleasant?

Would you like to pass through this barrier? Then concentrate your whole body, with its 360 bones and joints, and 84,000 hair follicles, into this question of what "Mu" is; day and night, without ceasing, hold it before you. It is neither nothingness, nor its relative "not" of "is" and "is not." It must be like gulping a hot iron ball that you can neither swallow nor spit out.

Then, all the useless knowledge you have diligently learned till now is thrown away. As a fruit ripening in season, your internal and external spontaneously become one. As with a mute man who had had a dream, you know it for sure and yet cannot say it. Indeed your ego-shell suddenly is crushed. You can shake heaven and earth. Just as with getting ahold of a great sword of a general, when you meet Buddha you will kill Buddha. A master of Zen? You will kill him, too. As you stand on the brink of life and death, you are absolutely free. You can enter any world as if it were your own playground. How do you concentrate on this Mu? Pour every ounce of your entire energy into it and do not give up, then a torch of truth will illuminate the entire universe.

Mumon's verse:

Has a dog the Buddha nature?
This is a matter of life and death.
If you wonder whether a dog has it or not,
You certainly lose your body and life!

(photograph of nun at Kiyomizudera, Kyoto; japan 2007. Captured by Matti Sedholm)

Repetition.

2010-08-03T09:30:00.004+02:00

Zen is repetition. So is life. Over and over again.
Photography and Irezumi the very same.
If one search too hard for the genuine thing, the result will only appear as artificial and desperate.
Irezumi repeats the same designs and moves in ever familiar ways, yet the refinement becomes obvious when you look back at what has been achieved over the years. Photography remains the same. The strongest photographs are mostly created in the same situations as they always were.

Why is that?

The simple answer is Life.
It's what we do everyday that weaves the web, create the miracles. All created images becomes selfportraits when looked upon. Throw away Like and Dislike. Just Move Ahead. It will all be fantastic. You'll see.

Dragon. Tiger.
Over and over again.
Just like hugging my children or eating my soup.

(photograph created by Matti Sedholm at Kenninji, Kyoto, Japan October 2008)

Horiyoshi III and "Ryushin". A book of dragon paintings published by Kofuu Senju.

2010-08-02T09:59:00.004+02:00

Eternity is shorter than one thinks. Yet it takes forever.

We're approaching the release of our first book on Horiyoshi III's dragons (24th of September this year, at the London tattoo Convention), and as usual time proves itself as the most precious jewel. Editing Horiyoshi III's brush paintings is halfways through by now, with a hundred more to go. It's timeconsuming work as many dust particles and other things always end up on the scanns, however professionally they handle them. We want this book to be as good as we can make it, and that means putting in the hours it demands.

This is the story so far:

-208 or 216 pages on 130 gr uncoated natural white paper.

-Hardbound cloth cover with embossed and laquered titles and calligraphy by Horiyoshi III.

-200 new dragons designs by Horiyoshi III, representing this master's most energetic and experienced design to this date. The dragons are mostly set together with a deity, hero or foe, making this book a rich source for designs.

-An index with all the names of the characters appearing in the brush paitings will be available at the end of the book.

-Horiyoshi III himself is not writing anything for this book. It is rather Kofuu Senju's presenting the art of a contemporary artist with a tremendous past and present impact on tattooing and culture. There will be texts by both Kofuu (Alex Reinke) and Senju (Matti Sedholm), in the form of prefaces.

-"Ryushin-Chasing the dragon's" will be released in Limited Edition of 2000 copies. There will not be a softcover edition.

Horiyoshi III made 400 new paintings on this subject matter, and the remaining 200 will be published in a book at about the same time in 2011.

(photograph made by matti Sedholm at horiyoshi III's studio in Yokohama, Japan 2009)

Horiyoshi III Ryu.

2010-07-30T09:14:00.003+02:00

As time is surely flying, I find time inbetween editing the scanns of Horiyoshi III's paintings for the upcoming bookrelease of "Ryushin", and manage to process photographs for our next book, "Kokoro".

Since there are many good ones in the enourmous pile of photographs we have captured so far, some of them will obviously show up on this blog. Seems like we could go on shooting for this project forever, and as always, humans do not have "forever" to spend. Not even on photography and Irezumi. A blink of an eye, and one hears the muffled thuds of shovelfuls of soil landing on top of the casket, as it is lowered into the ground.

No, better to move ahead with confidence and be satisfied with what comes our way.

/Senju (matti sedholm).

Photograph captured by Matti Sedholm at Horiyoshi III's studio in Yokohama, Japan, April 2010.

Ozuma Kaname II.

2010-07-29T10:43:00.004+02:00

Studio interior and portrait of legendary painter Ozuma Kaname.
Please visit Ozuma Kaname's website in order to view his paintings.

(photgraphs captured by Matti Sedholm in Tokyo, Japan april 2010)

Shishi.

2010-07-21T08:16:00.001+02:00

(photograph made by Matti Sedholm/Senju at Nishi Higashi Hongan-ji, Kyoto, Japan 2007)

Yamaoka Tesshu (June 10, 1836 - July 19, 1888).

2010-07-19T13:35:00.006+02:00

Today it's 122 years since Yamoka Tesshu died of stomach cancer, all too early.
The Master Calligrapher, Zen painter, swordsman, innovator of Kendo and great Zen personality died in sitting meditation, Zazen, inhaling and never again exhaling.

His death poem read;

Tightening my abdomen
Against the pain
The caw of a morning crow.

His life and work was a true testimony to his words "Not Tiring of Defeat Leads to Victory".

(photograph made by Matti Sedholm at Kennin-ji, Kyoto, Japan 2007)

The creation of "Kokoro"; a new book about Horiyoshi III of Yokohama #3

2010-07-16T07:03:00.006+02:00

"Kokoro" is a book project that we started in order to present the subjective way we see Irezumi. We felt that previous books on the matter, (some good, some bad) never really touched the heart of the matter, the spirit of Irezumi. To find that spirit one has to go further than merely showing tattoos and discussing history and technique. Irezumi is basically a metaphor for the Japanese spirit, where a myriad of expressions of the cultural soul falls together into a whole.

Even though "Kokoro" will be showing photographs of Master Horiyoshi III's work and the Master himself, we have the intention to dare into a more poetic and soulful field of portraiture.
We will not try to tell the reader and viewer "how it is" but rather "how we see it".
Telling the "truth" is something that is prone to failure, and since all is Grey, and never Black and White, we have to find our own path to walk in this project.

"Kokoro" will speak in a tounge of imagery and words that hopefully will create rythm and journey to the reader. The book will touch on spiritual matters as well as the practical side of things.
When spending time with an artist like Horiyoshi III it becomes all to clear that he is as fluid as he is firm in his tradition. The power of his creativity suggests that of Hokusai and Kyosai and maybe his legacy will be timeless and inspire thousands to pick up brush and ink, needle and hand.

In all honesty, making "Kokoro" is like catching a fish with your bare hands.

(photograph by Matti Sedholm, Horiyoshi III's studio, Yokohama, Japan 2009)

Now.

2010-07-15T06:35:00.003+02:00

(photograph made by Matti Sedholm at Nanzen-in, Kyoto, Japan, oct 2007)

When stuck.......

2010-07-13T09:03:00.003+02:00

Being selfthaught photographers makes for both strength and vulnerability at the same time. Strength comes in the form of freedom. If you don't have any rules, often you're left free to explore, trying and faiingl, discovering new paths to walk down. Vulnerability comes in the form of not being really shure sometimes that the path you've chosen is the right one.

Of course, there's no harm in being confused when it comes to photography. After a number of trials one eventually arrives at the right place, but searching for guidance from experienced photographers is a way to be humble towards yourself and your creativity. If left totally alone, there's a big risk of your ego self taking over, weaving its usual web of illusion and hindering you from seeing. Of all the arts I've tried my hands on during this life, photography is the one where words more often overtake the role of actually creating.

There's the matter of equipment, compostion, digital processing, printing, showing and a thousand other major and minor issues. They are all equally important or unimportant depending on the moment and the photographer at any given time.

When stumped I read Ken Rockwell's writings on the subject. He writes equally on the art itself as well as no bullshit, hands on practical reviews on critical gear, free of overscientific mumbo jumbo. His way of seeing it is not neccesarily mine all the time, but the attidude is invigourating.
Be shure to visit www.kenrockwell.com. Even if you're not a hardcore photographer you will find bits and pieces useful for the creator of any art.
/Senju(Matti Sedholm)

(photograph captured by Matti Sedholm in Gion, Kyoto, Japan 2005. It was my first photographic trip to japan, and I was using a compact camera that I had owned for a few months. I knew absolutely about how to make photographs, still some good ones came out of that camera.)

Horiyoshi III Irezumi and the capturing of the ghost.

2010-07-11T06:33:00.002+02:00

(photograph captured by Matti Sedholm at Horiyoshi III's studio, Yokohama, Japan aug 2009)

The constants of Irezumi and photography.

2010-07-09T08:54:00.003+02:00

The mirror is there for polishing. If you get lost in the reflection you will lose the urge and settle for an inevetable "almost". Irezumi is a craft and an artform slowly in progress since practically thousands of years. Though the actual tattooing first began in the Edo period (1600-1868), the twists and turns leading up to that specific moment are of the greatest value. None can exist by itself alone, and human life is what makes Irezumi. Not tradition, not rules, not aestethic values, because tradition evolves and breaks away, rules are broken and the aestethics change rapidly.

Nevertheless, if one is to have even the slightest peak at success, history has to be learned and a foundation must be firmly in place. Merely acting upon ego will result in worthless charades passed off as individuality and genius.
Bend your head, be humble and assume your position along with all those that came before you and all those in line after you. Your time here will be glorious and rapidly forgotten. Impermanence is a fact. Deal with it.

The same goes for photography. I was a genius when I started out with cameras and today I am a fool. This is true for anything creative. The further up the mountainside you come, the further away the peak gets. If you keep polishing the mirror you will one day realize that there is no mountain to climb, and you had arrived before you were even born.

Today my sinuses are swollen and the nose running like Bolt. It's the hayfever season for me.
Better make the best out of it. How?

/Senju (Matti Sedholm)

(photograph (ghost) captured by Matti Sedholm in Gion, Kyoto, Japan september 2009)

Irezumi Kyushu Style.

2010-07-08T09:03:00.004+02:00

Honda-san (apprentice of Nakamura-san) and Kofuu (Alex Reinke/Horikitsune), after having sushi breakfast in Fukuoka. This was captured in September last year when Kofuu Senju visited Nakamura Toshikazu on Horiyoshi III's advice. A meeting that later resulted in the plans for a book on Nakamura-san (hopefully to be released autumn 2011).

(photograph made by Matti Sedholm, Fukuoka, Japan in september 2009)

2010-07-06T09:09:00.002+02:00

Crow's
abandoned nest,
a plum tree.

(haiku by Basho 1644-1694)

(photograph captured by Matti Sedholm, Kyoto, Japan september 2008)

The Kofuu Senju Horiyoshi III dragon book; initial design work began today.

2010-07-05T12:55:00.003+02:00

Today was the first day in Senju's (matti Sedholm) new tiny, but definetely good spirited office.
The computer's hooked up and the double screens were callibrated, as the scanns of Horiyoshi III's paintings to be feautered in the upcoming book, "Ryushin", were being copied on to both internal and external harddrives for safety reasons.

The overall design of the book was drafted by Matti Sedholm and Alex Reinke in Yokohama during the visit there in april earlier this year, and what now remains is the painstaking adjustments of the scanns and realizing our vision into a real living book.

The goal is to create a high quality reference book, built to last both spiritually, designwise and physically. As this will hopefully become a often used work reference for tattooists and other artist seeking guidance regarding the Japanese dragon and the related heroes, deities and stories, we try to make it work as such. Horiyoshi has brushed the Japanese titles for every painting in his own hand, and this week will be set aside to correctly scan and process that material as well.

More news as it unfolds.

(photograph by Matti Sedholm, captured in Horiyoshi III's studio, august 2009)

Photography as a perfect liar.

2010-07-02T08:38:00.003+02:00

There's very little truth to be found in photography. Whether you're taking a picture of your one year old staring in amazement at the candles on his birthday cake, or trying desperately to communicate the sensation and mood of walking the streets of Gion, the old quarters of Kyoto.

In both moments there's a photographer involved, and where there's a photographer, you'll find subjectivity without a doubt. The illusion of the machine stealing that split second of time is as grand as the Great Buddha at Todaiji in Nara, but it's all an illusion. Even if the camera documents whatever you choose to point it at, it never acts spontaneous or out of free will. It's a slave that tolis the fields of the photographers wishes, needs, urges and desires.
As soon as you even lift the camera to your eye, you have separated yourself from reality and started to create a subjective image of your own inner self. Maybe that's why photography can be such a strong medium.

It takes you on a journey inside an individual persons soul and psyche, whispering truths about the photographer rather than the photograph itself. The subject matter at hand, what your eyes see and often believe is the photograph itself, is a disguise and a mirror. It's complicated and easy. The human being lives, accumulating experiences that colors everything a human being does on a daily basis. Basically we are all creating a web of illusion that we pass of as reality, and it's this subjectiveness that makes us want to capture a moment or a person with our camera.
So we steal this second, making it ones and zeros, or if analog, we capture it on a chemically coated peace of film. It's pretty amazing that time can be caught like this, isn't it? Just reaching out and snatching it! It's definetely one of humankinds biggest achievements as far as technology goes. It's up there with writing, speaking and printing. At least in my book.

After the capturing comes the process of turning it into a photograph proper, so you do what you do and what pleases you. Or often what you think pleases others. All in order to tell your truth.
After that comes the showing of the photograph. So you hold it up for another person to see, and they really do that. They see it perfectly clear. Always.
But they see their photopgraph, not the one you captured, because they exist within their own personal web of illusion. So what they see is colored by their own experiences and in that way it really becomes their photograph. All intentions and desires for some real truth made into a fine point of light streaming in through the lens are in this way lost and turned into another piece of chaotic randomness that is the reality of human existance. And this is where the beauty really lies, isn't it.
We aim to capture truth, and it becomes a lie that becomes another individuals truth.
It's all truth, if you think about it, really.
But it's a lie.
That is true.

(photograph made by Matti Sedholm, in Gion, Kyoto, Japan 2007)

Movement.

2010-06-22T13:29:00.004+02:00

The swedish half of KofuuSenju Publications (Senju/Matti Sedholm) is moving out of the old studio and in to a new office this week. As some of you have already noticed, there's been little posting here the last week, and unfortunately we won't resume until next week. Please bare with us.

Packing, carrying, sorting, driving, dragging, sweaty and frustrated. How on earth did all this stuff accumulate in such a short time? And what do I need it for? All the seven levels of buddhist hell fits into the simple act of moving!

(photography by Matti Sedholm depicting recent work by Horiyoshi III, Yokohama, Japan april 2010)

Basho Haiku #1 (new series).

2010-06-16T08:36:00.004+02:00

Summer grasses.

All that remains

of warriors dreams.

(Basho 1644-1694)

(photograph of homeless men in Ueno park, Tokyo, oct 2007, captured by Matti Sedholm)

Formative stages.

2010-06-15T08:40:00.002+02:00

The line up of books in the works is set to four now. Much of the photography is already done, exept for the book about Nakamura-san, which we possibly shoot in Fukuoka somewhere in November this year. More ideas for books always pop up in the mind, but for now there's is formatting, developing and processing photographs, selecting and sorting, designing, choosing paper, changing amounts of pages, deciding typefaces, calling the printers, pre-marketing and quite a few other things.

(photograph by Matti Sedholm, Horiyoshi III's Ise Cho studio, Yokohama, Japan 2010)

2010-06-14T09:42:00.002+02:00

(photograph by Matti Sedholm, Koto-in, Kyoto, Japan 2009)

Blue heron at the Atomic Bomb Dome, Hiroshima.

2010-06-09T23:50:00.003+02:00

Lightening -

Heron's cry

Stabs the darkness

(Haiku by Basho 1644-1694)

(photograph made by Alex reinke, Hiroshima, Japan 2009)

Fudo Myoo.

2010-06-08T08:26:00.002+02:00

Studio interior, Horiyoshi III's studio in Noge, Yokohama, Japan.

(photograph by Matti Sedholm, Yokohama, Japan 2010)

Irezumi tradition of Horiyoshi III.

2010-06-07T08:23:00.003+02:00

Recent work in progress by Horiyoshi III.

(photograph made by Matti Sedholm, Yokohama, Japan in april 2010)

The creation of "Kokoro"; a new book about Horiyoshi III of Yokohama #3

2010-05-28T08:48:00.001+02:00

Matti Sedholm in an unusally cold Yokohama, april 2010.

(selfportrait)

New Irezumi book project - Nakamura Toshikazu.

2010-05-27T21:03:00.003+02:00

KofuuSenju Publications will publish a book on Kyushu Irezumi artist Nakamura Toshikazu (Kyusyu Soutebori Aikoukai), hopefully in the later half of 2011. When photographing for our current project "Kokoro", a book about the spirit of yokohama Irezumi master Horiyoshi III, we made a short trip to Fukuoka on southern Japanese island of Kyushu and had the great pleasure to meet and talk to Nakamura Toshikazu in his studio. Nakamura-san tattoos everything by hand, using Shamisenbori technique, which is a variant of its more wellknown sibling Tebori. His work is simple, traditional and very powerful and we are happy that we have been given the opportunity to bring it to a wider, international audience. More news as they unfold.
(photographs made by Matti Sedholm at the studio of Nakamura-san, Kyushu, Japan)

Not tiring of deafeat leads to victory.

2010-05-26T13:55:00.004+02:00

(photograph made by Matti Sedholm at Kawahara Dojo's children kendo practice, Idogaya, Yokohama, Japan)

New work by Horiyoshi III as captured during KofuuSenju's recent photographic expedition to Yokohama.

2010-05-25T12:53:00.002+02:00

(photograph made by Matti Sedholm at Horiyoshi III's Ise Cho studio, Yokohama)

Release date for "Ryushin - chasing the dragons tail", a book of dragon brush drawings by Horiyoshi III.

2010-05-23T18:23:00.009+02:00

Kofuu-Senju Publications first effort, "Ryushin - chasing the dragons tail", a collection of new brush paintings/drawings made by Horiyoshi III of Yokohama, will be released on the 24th of September this year, and will be available that very same day to the visitors of the 2010 London Tattoo Convention. All the featured drawings are recently created and presents the artist best and strongest effort in this genre

(the above image will be featured in the book, however this sample is a handheld photograph made by Kofuusenju Publications in the studio of Horiyoshi III. The prints in the upcoming book will be scanned proefessionally in Tokyo and of course be of supreme quality.)

2010-05-21T17:36:00.002+02:00

They end their flight
one by one--
crows at dusk

Buson (1716-1783)

(photograph made by Matti Sedholm at Yanaka Cemetary, Tokyo, Japan)

Studying Horiyoshi III is studying oneself, and studying oneself is confusion confused with making any kind of sense. So better bring a camera.

2010-05-20T11:38:00.005+02:00

Everyone must find his or hers own path in order to succeed in making sense of the senselessness that is everyday life. In order to polish the mirror that is intended to clearly reflect your being, you must first even realize that there is a mirror beneath that heap of rubbish in the first place.

Undoubtfully, everyone has a pile of rubbish and a hidden mirror. Most of the time any individual merely pokes around in the top half, then spot somebody in the yard next to them, that has actually found at least a part of their dusty mirror. That person looks like they've actually found something of value, so pretty soon you think to yourself, that any shining object will do, just like the crows sometime do (but they don't have to look for anything, since they've never lost it. They just like "shiny"), and then you pile up shining junk, polishing the hell out of it and getting absolutely nowhere.

So, just like everything else is, Irezumi is your pile of rubbish and somewhere in there lies your mirror in wait for you. Just don't be fooled by wise men telling you this and that.
You can sleep easy tonight, knowing that there is no truth to be found.
At least not out there.

(photography made by Matti Sedholm at Horiyoshi III's Studio)

Horiyoshi III, april 2010.

2010-05-19T07:57:00.000+02:00

(photograph made by Matti Sedholm, Yokohama, Japan)

Being watched while watching at Horiyoshi III's studio.

2010-05-18T07:00:00.001+02:00

(photograph made by Matti Sedholm at Horiyoshi III's studio, Yokohama, Japan)