The Living Canvas — Japanese Irezumi, c. 1880 | Vintage Enamel Mug
THE LIVING CANVAS — JAPANESE IREZUMI, c. 1880
Two men. Two living canvases. One remarkable photographic record of nineteenth-century Japan.
This vintage-style enamel mug from Reading Frames — Everyday Archives features a historic, hand-coloured photograph of two Japanese men displaying elaborate traditional tattoos.
THE ART OF IREZUMI
During Japan's Edo period (1603–1868), decorative tattooing developed into a sophisticated visual tradition.
Inspired by mythology, popular literature, and Japanese woodblock prints, tattoo artists created intricate compositions featuring dragons, legendary heroes, waves, flowers, and mythical creatures.
Known as irezumi or horimono, these elaborate designs sometimes covered much of the body, transforming human skin into a continuous artistic composition.
Tattooing was particularly associated with certain urban occupations, including firefighters and manual workers.
PHOTOGRAPHY AND THE BODY
The nineteenth century also saw the emergence of commercial photography in Japan.
Hand-coloured photographic portraits recorded clothing, occupations, customs, and forms of body decoration, often through carefully staged compositions.
The two figures on this mug belong to that extraordinary visual world, where traditional Japanese body art met the new medium of photography.
AN ARCHIVE IN YOUR HANDS
The enamel mug transforms a historical photograph into an everyday object.
Its simple white surface and metallic rim provide a deliberately understated setting for the richly detailed archival image.
A small piece of photographic history, made to be used, collected, and rediscovered.
PRODUCT DETAILS
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Vintage-style enamel mug
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12 oz capacity
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Metal body with enamel coating
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White finish with silver rim
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Archival-inspired photographic decoration
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Hand wash only
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Made individually on demand
ABOUT READING FRAMES
Reading Frames is an independent artistic project exploring archival photography, visual culture, and the stories preserved in historical images.
Our Everyday Archives collection brings carefully selected photographs into contemporary objects, creating unexpected connections between the past and everyday life.
Reading Frames — Everyday Archives
Hold a photograph. Carry a story.
More details
- Material: Metal with an enamel layer and sublimation coating
- 12 oz
- Height: 3.14″ (8 cm)
- Diameter: 3.25″ (8.5 cm)
- White coating with a silver rim
- Hand-wash only
EU GPSR Product Information:
- Manufacturer contact information
- Name: Reading Frames
- Email: reading-frames-shop@support.fourthwall.com
- Postal address: PO Box 5696 Santa Monica, CA 90405
- Additional information: This product is made for adults. Don't heat liquids or food directly in the mug—it can damage the coating. Meets the lead, cadmium and chromium level requirements. 2 year warranty in EEA and UK, established by Directive 1999/44/EC.
Size & Fit
- 12 oz
- Height: 3.14″ (8 cm)
- Diameter: 3.25″ (8.5 cm)
Quality Guarantee & Returns
- Quality is guaranteed. If there is a print error or visible quality issue, we'll replace or refund it.
- Because the products are made to order, we do not accept general returns or sizing-related returns.
