The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1893-01-05
WONDERFUL TATT0OING
remarkable Work Of a Native Artist
in Japan.
$1,000 PAID BY AN ENGLlSHMAN.
Exquisite Figures, Rivaling the Most
Delicate Painting, Pricked into the
Skin by Hort Chio-Rare Examples Of
the Tattooer's Art.

skin by Hort Chto-Hsre Exsmpies oi
the Tsttooer's Art.
Albert II. Geffeney, the Japanese in
terpreter of the United States lmmigra-
tion Bureau in San Francisco, has upon his
arms the finest specimens of the tattooer's
art that ever came to San Francisco, says
the Chronicle.
The tattooed man or woman ofthe dime
museum may possess more covered sur
face, but never do they have such artisti-
cally executed and intricate designs upon
their anatomy as those which adorn the
arms of Mr.. Geffeney.
Hori Chic, the Japanese ortist tatooer,
is o singularly gifted man, and is not
thirty years old at the present time. lie
was formerly jinricksha coolie--one OF
the miserable slaves who trundle people
about in small t two- wi heeled vehicle-and,
as is the custom with that class OF people,
he had local artist tattoo his body. Be
coming interested in the operation, he
attempted the use OF the needles, ana
soon discovered his rare artistic ability.
For seven years now he has been the lead
ng artist in japan for peoples cutic!es,
and has made reputation ana fortune.
HIS renown has SO spread or recent
years that every prominent traveller who
visits Japan adds a goodly portion OF his
money to Chios bank account, and bears
proudly away the indelible traces of the
Jap's wonderful craft.
The designs executed upon Mr.. Gef-
feney required two whole days, in which
considerable port wine was imbibed and
much tobacco was smoked to brace up
his nerves. The healing required month,
and he wore silk sleeves all the time. On
the right forearm the most noticeable fea-
ture is a snake which winds it's tortuous
coils about from the wrist to the elbow,
ana there its quick forked tongue darts
out to catch fly. The curves are per-
ect, the head fiat and natural, and every
Gale in its entire length is finished In
infinite detail.
On the underside Of the arm is a skull
nd crossbones and also a knife thrust
through the flesh and again protruding
Is handle is carved and Is characteristic
japanese workmanship. Above thu
bow upon the biceps muscle an eagit
'ith outstretched wing is worked oui
ith extreme care. Every feather ap'
ears, and so natural that il seems as
,e breath would ruffie the plumage. 4
,iendid steel engraving could not b'
enrer. small floral piece complete
q decorations on the arm.
On the left forearm tobacco Leaf
orm-eaten and with a Japanese land
ape upon 1t, is shaded with such subtle
| It, that no trace Of the instrument ].
| ,sible. The coloring blends from deel
adow TO the whiteness OF the skin a.
,ftly as the vignette OF photograph.
n the upper side above the leaf is a great
ider's web with the willy insect in the
.ldde and several flies entangled in the
| ct meshes. 1t is here that the accuracy
| the drawing is SO striking. The lines
| re as fine as a hair and as straight as q
| lumb line.
The piece is a very attractive one.
.bove these on the biceps is the crown
~ triumph OF all. 1t is an argus pheas-
| II, with all OF its magnificent plumage
| I'd graceful long tail streamers, com
| leted with softness and delicacy which
esimply amazing, and which commands
| le beholder's admiration instantly.
| Hori Chic has had some royal patrons,
ld many distinguished travellers bear
| IS pictures upon their persons An
! .nglish nobleman who once visited Japan
! came enamored OF splendid-looking
| apanese woman who resided there. His
| ,fatuation exceeded the usual bounds OF
we, and he sought out the tattooer and
ad the lady's portrait carefully pricked
| ito his white skin. Hori Chic made o
eautiful likeness, and the smiles which
IFS sharp needles left will never fade OF
i'm when age has made its wrinkles in
ne fair girls face and time has narrowed
ut oil of the old love-lit glances. The
lnglishman willingly paid $50 for the
verlasting portrait, and graciously sub
fitted to the pain that his inordinate al
ction cost him.
One of the most beautiful designs i.
orne by an English society lady OF higl
gree. 1t represents a flight OF swallow,
nd extends from her rounded shouldel
own her tapering arm nearly to he
aist. IL is singularly graceful and o
IRE beauty. The son OF Henry w. Long
i.ow, who has Travelled extensively, Is
xquisitely tattooed from head TO foot.
The work In that Of Hori Chic, and 4
ost over q, 900. He has large serpen
ound about his leg, which is startling
4 its realistic coils. On his back is de-
ded departure from the usual designs
is a gigantic dragon, with all the hor'
ors TO which vivid japanese imagina
ons have bent their ingenuity, and IN
.de-open mouth is a figure OF Buddha
nc god idol which the people worship
he work on young Longfellow consume,
yeral weeks. A companion who trav
cd with the poets son had most clab
rate fox chase placed upon his right leg
{ was very expensive piece, and con
aims dogs, horses, trees, bushes, and tn
unning animal OF the hunt.
Hori's most important commission wa
tattooing the royal sons OF the Prime
Wales. Prince George. now dead, an
'rince Albert Victor. These young me
ere stamped with the royal insignia Q
aeir regal family, the royal coat-of-arm
their country, the features OF "a
rnce, their father, and number OF al
| ,t.fa and hirdg