TATTOOER by Takuya Kaneshima.

Inspired by the short story written by Junichiro Tanizaki. Seikichi (Leo Ashizawa) is a young tattoo artist whose desire is to “carve his soul onto the body of a beautiful woman”. After much search, he eventually finds two beautiful women Kazuyo A (Mao Aono) and Kazuyo B (Aki Nakagawa) who he entices initially, it appears that he has drugged them by asking them to drink herbal tea and proceeds to keep them locked away.

The storyline has erotic undertones and the “foot fetish” which Junichiro sees him constantly chasing the young ladies around to inhale the odour of their feet. Certainly not ideal doe anyone who is repulsed by other people’s feet.

There is one scene in particular that makes me wince and look away. It came out of nowhere and you could see some of the audience look away in horror. No spoilers from me though as I am not going to divulge what takes place.

Ink-brush painter Gaku Azuma takes to the stage during the interval and creates an incredible design on the back of Nozomi de Lencquesaing who entered the artist’s studio hoping to have the gift of a tattoo by the Seikichi. Azuma continues to extend his skills and paints designs across the whole circular stage area.

The ancient art of Tattooing is celebrated through the play. For those who have their pieces of identifiable body art, we can appreciate the time, work and creativity that becomes part of our bodies and identity.

Director and set designer Hogara Kawai uses the white circular stage to allow the artist (artistic licence) to create and captivate the audience during the interval. A technique I have never seen before. A production predominantly visual with a storyline that hasn’t necessarily translated across to its full potential in English.