The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1900-04-29

THE TATTooING PRACTICE.
Two Artists Who Excel in AdOru-
ing Human BODIES,

CFrom the New York Commercial Adycrtser.)
In England aud America today tattooing
has become 4 fine art. in which two Of its
professors at least have attained an eX-
cellence that has occasioned much com
ment from the French press Tattooing
has been practiced for generations by
races of the most widely divergent ethni-
cal characteristics. Savage and civilized
peoples, the Laplander, like the rsdskin
and the negro, furnish striking examples
of this fact The custom had at first di-
verse objects, and was frequently used as
a simple religious ceremony during the
Middle Ages by the Christian as well as
the pagan world. The simple cross that
was t2ttooed upon the pilgrims arm at
various shrines gradually developed into
1 some religious painting Mr.. Sutherland
Macdonald achieved marvellous success in
this branch with mis- copy OF the Veronica
( Christ head in which he has reproduced
the agony Of expression with marvellous
fidelity.
Tattooing was, however. more frequently
employed as a means OF ornamental ID.
and il is this Characteristic which it has
retained today among civilized nations
1t is worthy Of comment that wherever L
is practiced it is confined almost eNclu-
sively TO the male sex. In the Samoan
islands the men alone are decorated in
this fashion. while the chiefs in the Poly
nesian archipelago are covered from he d
to foot with graceful aratesques, their
women allow their hands only to be tat
tooed, somewhat in the fashion Of a glove
or a mitten.
Formerly tattOoing was resorted TO sole
ly by those who desired to exhibit them
selves in public museums, etc. and the
Ridley brothers were at one time consid-
cred the sole experts in this art But the
exquisite inish of some of the designs
have attracted many of the richer classes
as in London, where nearly ali the nobili-
~ passed through the hands of the tattooer
before embarking for the Transvsal
crest. the regimontal insignia and ST.
George ana the dragon being the favorite
designs
The vogue thus given in America to tat
tooing is due mainly to the efforts Of Hori
Chyo, a japanese native of Yokohama who
has settled in New York lie combines
various shades OF brown with the deem
blues and reds OF the earlier davs. and
thanks TO his knowledge of the rules of
perspective has produced some beautiful
work. He excels in animal painting if the
term be allowed in this sense. one Of his
attendants bearing on his forehead il is
said, lizard SO litelike in appearance that
no fly dare approach il. Hori Chyo boasts
one royal parsonage among his clients. the
present car Of Russia having visited him
during his Oriental tour before his scces-
sion to the throne. HOri ChyO's studio is
open 10 all visitors whether they come as
clients or merely as spectators Of his dex-
terity in handling the sharp stylets With
nervous patients he uses a hypodermic
syringe, which reduces the pain TO the
mere sensation Of a scratch
Mr. Macdonald. OF London. however en-
joys the distinction of having brought the
art Of tattooing to the highest degree OF
perfection yet achieved. He has perfect
ed a system OF coloring by means OF which
he introduces magnificent blues and greens
into his work with delightful effect and
is at present experimenting with yellow
and blush lavender when he will have all !
the colors Of the rainbow al his command |
His stylets are Of the fncst-tempered !
steel and he uses the most approved anti
septic precautions that modern science |
has placed at his disposal He has just /
patented an electrical appliance by meals |
Of which he works five times more rapidly. |
and. it may be added with Infinitely less |
as the result.
Among his many celebrated clients he |
counts the Marquis Of Sslisburys son. the |
Duke of York Princess Christian of Den |
mark. Victor Won Hohenlohe and Vladimir |
Orloff. of 81 Petersburg.