The Tattooer by Junichiro Tanizaki is a short story that explores the complex relationship between art, beauty, and identity. The story follows a young tattoo artist named Shunkei, who becomes obsessed with tattooing the perfect design onto the skin of his lover, O-hisa.
As a tattoo artist, Shunkei sees tattooing as a form of artistic expression and a way to bring beauty into the world. He is highly skilled at his craft and takes great pride in the intricate designs he creates on the skin of his clients. However, as he begins to tattoo O-hisa, Shunkei becomes increasingly obsessed with creating the perfect design, one that will truly capture the essence of her beauty.
As Shunkei works on the tattoo, he becomes increasingly isolated and consumed by his art. He spends long hours in his studio, perfecting the design and ignoring the needs of those around him. His obsession with the tattoo begins to take over his life, and he becomes increasingly distant from O-hisa and his other loved ones.
Despite his obsession, Shunkei is deeply in love with O-hisa and wants nothing more than to make her happy. He sees the tattoo as a way to demonstrate his love and devotion to her, and he is willing to do whatever it takes to create the perfect design.
As the tattoo nears completion, Shunkei becomes increasingly convinced that the tattoo is a work of art that will surpass all others. He becomes convinced that the tattoo will bring him fame and recognition, and he begins to dream of the accolades that he will receive once it is finished.
However, as the tattoo nears completion, O-hisa becomes increasingly unhappy and resentful of Shunkei's obsession. She begins to feel that she is nothing more than a canvas for his art, and that her own identity and desires are being completely overlooked.
In the end, the tattoo is completed and O-hisa is left with a beautiful, intricate design on her skin. However, the cost of this beauty is the destruction of her relationship with Shunkei, as she can no longer bear to be with someone who has treated her as nothing more than a means to an end.
Through the character of Shunkei, The Tattooer explores the complex relationship between art, beauty, and identity. The story highlights the dangers of becoming too consumed by one's art, and the importance of considering the needs and desires of others in the pursuit of beauty.