Almost a year after releasing “Hanafuda”, the first version of this painting, Senju re-imagines his initial vision of Oryu, the Red Peony Gambler. This time he draws more faithfully on inspiration gathered from viewing 1960’s Japanese Yakuza movie posters. Some of the original painting’s softness has given way to a more graphic feel. 

The Hibotan Bakuto print comes in small to very large size.

Before Senju made the transition to full time artist and painter, he worked for nearly 30 years as a tattooer. About 20 of those years were dedicated to the study and practice of the traditional Japanese tattoo, Irezumi. Ocasionally he returns to the subject matters that fascinated him the most when creating full body tattoos for an dedicated international clentele. 

Kinryu is Japanese for Golden Dragon, a very auspicious motif. On the woman’s back, the dragon is ascending out of the water in which it dwells. This is considered a lucky dragon design that brings success in ones endevours.

The dragon is traditionally regarded as a guarding deity that protects against fire, and even though it has a fearsome apperance it is also a protector of the Buddhist law.

The Kinryu print comes in small to very large size.

Visually spellbinding, the Japanese form of rope bondage called Kinbaku or Shibari has attracted Senju for many years. At first unsure how to portray a form of intimate play he himslef does not practise, he has now found form and interpretation.

Inspired by various Japanese as well as Western contemporary rope masters, he lets their individual forms blend with the Kinbaku photographs by Japanese genius photographer Nobuyoshi Araki. In this, the first in an ongoing series of paintings, the form was influenced by French rope master Dirty von P’s work, as well as the films of Japanese director Takashi Miike. At the moment Senju is obsessing with the sooty, blackened interiors of his film Hara-kiri.

The Hankou print comes in small to very large size.

As a late celebration of the New Year, Senju painted this sensual and erotic image of a woman dressed in a pale white Furisode kimono. The garment is embroidered with gold thread and shows various auspicious symbols commonly used in the Japanese New Year. We can see an intricate pattern of cranes, symbolising longevity, together with the popular Shōchikubai (three friends of winter) design. This consist of stylized renditions of pine, bamboo and plum blossoms. In the leaves of the bamboo there are even further small symbols of good luck in Japan. You can spot Hoju (wish granting jewels) and Uchide no kozuchi (the wish granting mallet) amongst several others.

This work shows the love and interest for kimono as an art form that Senju has developed over the more than 20 years he has studied Japanese culture and history in depth. If you choose to purchase a print you will find pleasure in viewing the detailed work the embroidery.

The Shinnen print comes in small to very large size.