Gabrielle (![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png)
potedeiabard) wrote2021-12-30 08:58 pm
potedeiabard) wrote2021-12-30 08:58 pm
Entry tags:
Of Dragon Tattoos (& Katanas)
So, I was researching tattoos in Japan, especially on Samurai, and I came up with a few interesting details that I thought I would share.
As I was reading this article, I came across some interesting bits.
Before the Yakuza adopted the culture of tattoos and before Japanese prisoners were brandished with tattoos (and therefore shunned), tattoos were often both cosmetic and symbolic protection from their tribes. It is also theorized that it was used to further identify as Samurai that had died in the battlefield. So, technically, its uses were plenty and extend far beyond the stigma of the Yakuza that plagues the modern era. A lot more detail is in that article and it's a fascinating one to read. Back on the topic however, I was wondering something. First, how long would that tattoo last? And second, what was the symbolic purpose of it?
In the show Gabrielle is protected against Yudoshi (I spell it this way because it sounds closer to Yudoshi than Yodoshi), a malicious and powerful yokai (reminder that Yokais are not necessarily demonic in the western sense of the word), because the tattoo Akemi gives to her. So, we can deduce that the tattoo Akemi gave Gabrielle was a protective symbol against malicious spirits, and one as powerful as Yudoshi was sent flying away because of it. Mun is unsure of whether or not the enchantment has worn off or gradually wears off, but I highly doubt Gabrielle will encounter Yokais or return to Jappa for the time being, but it's good to consider. It's also worth noting that this tattoo was an Irezumi tattoo, which is done with wooden utensils and metal needles. The ink used in Irezumi holds off pretty well and for ages as long as you don't stay out on the sun too much, otherwise it fades out. It is said that these tattoos weren't for showing off all the time, so they never got much sun to begin with either. These were shown to family and loved ones, people close to the tattooed in question so there's that. Also, it's a time consuming and painful process, as it is applied differently than a normal tattoo. Modern tattoos are a lot faster but still painful, but these were practically done by hand. Aftercare is also different because of this, but I won't get into that.
Let us go further here. I tried looking into the symbolic representation of this creature in particular on her back. There is one on her calf that I couldn't, for the life of me, identify. I had to ask for help and better eyes.
Let's stick to the Dragon on her back, for now.
Here's a clear-ish view.
Although all dragons in mythology and oriental cultures can represent different things depending on the color and what kind they are, they are not at all like the European dragon's who were feared for their evilness. They were not evil at all, this is where they difer completely; if anything, Dragons were considered a good-luck symbol, associated with wind and rain and protection. Some dragons were associated especifically with the protection of good, the guardians of heaven, and a symbol of wisdowm. Which, if you ask me, seems quite fitting to our little Battling Bard here. There's definitely more dragons and different things they represent, but this is the gist of it I think.
As for what specific Dragon Gabrielle has in her back, I am not entirely sure yet. There's Shenlong, Tianlong, Qiulong and other types, and to distinguish them (for me) gets a little hard, so I'll have to edit back and report if I pin point exactly what type of Dragon the artist was going for.
Now, the tattoo on the calf! No picture for this one because it's so quick and low quality (Ya girl doesn't have DVD quality material yet) I've come to find out, after talking to people, that her tattoo on her calf are two Koi fishes intertwined with a T, which is a symbol we're still trying to pin point. BUT! We know plenty of the Koi, which is a carp. The koi fish is associated with strength of character, perseverance, good fortune, accomplishment, courage longevity and prosperity. I'm assuming this is because Koi, in legend, can become dragons because of thei relentlessness/determination. Their perseverance to swim upstream and climb waterfalls are often connected to the bravery of a samurai. Twin kois represent harmony, like yin and yang (another interesting Symbol that is actually presented in the show), but are also a symbol for good luck. Well, they also appear to represent a happy marriage, like the one Xena and Gabrielle obviously HAVE, but back on topic.
In essence, Akemi was not only protecting Gabrielle, but gave her a final gift to her long journey in life. She wished, tacitly, for Gabrielle to be well or recognized that the woman of the tales Xena told her was a strong, brave woman that represented perseverance like the Koi and was a protector of good, like the dragon -- which the Koi becomes.
Now, I want to get onto the Katana.
While I was researching for the tattoo I found something interesting that I failed to even think about. The Katana she uses before she grabs Xena's enchanted Katana has symbolisms and motifs ALL OVER IT. In the show itself, you don't get to see it up close, and the one she uses later on to fight Morimoto is Xena's enchanted Katana, which has motifs all of its own. If you look closely, there's a design on the blade, a Dragon. There's so much to it that I didn't even notice when watching the show, but a collector managed to get their hands on the actual katana that the actress used for the show. Not the rubber one, not a replica, but the actual prop. Absolutely fascinating, even though the creator of the blade hasn't really given details, OP of the blog post below gives a nice amount of detail to the whole thing:
This blog post here!
It has so much fricking information and it's so interesting. It all ties together with the dragon in the back, and also ties in with Xena's own Katana that has the engraving of a phoenix, which in mythology is the female counterpart of the dragon. Another simple way Xena and Gabrielle are forever connected.
Just in case the blog post goes down, GOD FORBID IT, I'll give a quick TL;DR. Gabrielle's katana, even before being given the sword, has a dragon relief on the blade and the hand guard itself is a dragon wrapped the sword! The sheath doesn't carry the same motif, as it has a silver winged Oni (demon-like creature? If I am not mistaken) design on both top and button. I am not too sure if this was just a design choice or has a theme to it as well. Most of this design is not accidental, however, so I am not too sure of what the Oni design means to represent.
It's been so much fun finding out new things about Gabrielle, and it goes to show how much detail and passion was put in the show.
As I was reading this article, I came across some interesting bits.
Before the Yakuza adopted the culture of tattoos and before Japanese prisoners were brandished with tattoos (and therefore shunned), tattoos were often both cosmetic and symbolic protection from their tribes. It is also theorized that it was used to further identify as Samurai that had died in the battlefield. So, technically, its uses were plenty and extend far beyond the stigma of the Yakuza that plagues the modern era. A lot more detail is in that article and it's a fascinating one to read. Back on the topic however, I was wondering something. First, how long would that tattoo last? And second, what was the symbolic purpose of it?
In the show Gabrielle is protected against Yudoshi (I spell it this way because it sounds closer to Yudoshi than Yodoshi), a malicious and powerful yokai (reminder that Yokais are not necessarily demonic in the western sense of the word), because the tattoo Akemi gives to her. So, we can deduce that the tattoo Akemi gave Gabrielle was a protective symbol against malicious spirits, and one as powerful as Yudoshi was sent flying away because of it. Mun is unsure of whether or not the enchantment has worn off or gradually wears off, but I highly doubt Gabrielle will encounter Yokais or return to Jappa for the time being, but it's good to consider. It's also worth noting that this tattoo was an Irezumi tattoo, which is done with wooden utensils and metal needles. The ink used in Irezumi holds off pretty well and for ages as long as you don't stay out on the sun too much, otherwise it fades out. It is said that these tattoos weren't for showing off all the time, so they never got much sun to begin with either. These were shown to family and loved ones, people close to the tattooed in question so there's that. Also, it's a time consuming and painful process, as it is applied differently than a normal tattoo. Modern tattoos are a lot faster but still painful, but these were practically done by hand. Aftercare is also different because of this, but I won't get into that.
Let us go further here. I tried looking into the symbolic representation of this creature in particular on her back. There is one on her calf that I couldn't, for the life of me, identify. I had to ask for help and better eyes.
Let's stick to the Dragon on her back, for now.
Here's a clear-ish view.
Although all dragons in mythology and oriental cultures can represent different things depending on the color and what kind they are, they are not at all like the European dragon's who were feared for their evilness. They were not evil at all, this is where they difer completely; if anything, Dragons were considered a good-luck symbol, associated with wind and rain and protection. Some dragons were associated especifically with the protection of good, the guardians of heaven, and a symbol of wisdowm. Which, if you ask me, seems quite fitting to our little Battling Bard here. There's definitely more dragons and different things they represent, but this is the gist of it I think.
As for what specific Dragon Gabrielle has in her back, I am not entirely sure yet. There's Shenlong, Tianlong, Qiulong and other types, and to distinguish them (for me) gets a little hard, so I'll have to edit back and report if I pin point exactly what type of Dragon the artist was going for.
Now, the tattoo on the calf! No picture for this one because it's so quick and low quality (Ya girl doesn't have DVD quality material yet) I've come to find out, after talking to people, that her tattoo on her calf are two Koi fishes intertwined with a T, which is a symbol we're still trying to pin point. BUT! We know plenty of the Koi, which is a carp. The koi fish is associated with strength of character, perseverance, good fortune, accomplishment, courage longevity and prosperity. I'm assuming this is because Koi, in legend, can become dragons because of thei relentlessness/determination. Their perseverance to swim upstream and climb waterfalls are often connected to the bravery of a samurai. Twin kois represent harmony, like yin and yang (another interesting Symbol that is actually presented in the show), but are also a symbol for good luck. Well, they also appear to represent a happy marriage, like the one Xena and Gabrielle obviously HAVE, but back on topic.
In essence, Akemi was not only protecting Gabrielle, but gave her a final gift to her long journey in life. She wished, tacitly, for Gabrielle to be well or recognized that the woman of the tales Xena told her was a strong, brave woman that represented perseverance like the Koi and was a protector of good, like the dragon -- which the Koi becomes.
Now, I want to get onto the Katana.
While I was researching for the tattoo I found something interesting that I failed to even think about. The Katana she uses before she grabs Xena's enchanted Katana has symbolisms and motifs ALL OVER IT. In the show itself, you don't get to see it up close, and the one she uses later on to fight Morimoto is Xena's enchanted Katana, which has motifs all of its own. If you look closely, there's a design on the blade, a Dragon. There's so much to it that I didn't even notice when watching the show, but a collector managed to get their hands on the actual katana that the actress used for the show. Not the rubber one, not a replica, but the actual prop. Absolutely fascinating, even though the creator of the blade hasn't really given details, OP of the blog post below gives a nice amount of detail to the whole thing:
This blog post here!
It has so much fricking information and it's so interesting. It all ties together with the dragon in the back, and also ties in with Xena's own Katana that has the engraving of a phoenix, which in mythology is the female counterpart of the dragon. Another simple way Xena and Gabrielle are forever connected.
Just in case the blog post goes down, GOD FORBID IT, I'll give a quick TL;DR. Gabrielle's katana, even before being given the sword, has a dragon relief on the blade and the hand guard itself is a dragon wrapped the sword! The sheath doesn't carry the same motif, as it has a silver winged Oni (demon-like creature? If I am not mistaken) design on both top and button. I am not too sure if this was just a design choice or has a theme to it as well. Most of this design is not accidental, however, so I am not too sure of what the Oni design means to represent.
It's been so much fun finding out new things about Gabrielle, and it goes to show how much detail and passion was put in the show.