Information
Date: 2016
Size: 42.5 × 30.5 cm (Sheet size)
Edition: 300
Technique: Woodblock print
Detail: Price not including the framing cost / Iron Maiden illustration / UKIYO-E PROJECT edition / Includes original folder and certificate of authenticity
Frame: Please Ask
Artist's Profile
1978 Born in Tokyo
Ishikawa becomes a disciple of Master Utagawa Toyokuni VI in 2000, but due to his master’s sudden passing, Ishikawa has continued to pursue the Utagawa aesthetics on his own, and actively holds both solo shows and group exhibitions.
Other than works with UKIYO-E PROJECT, Ishikawa has created illustrations for ukiyo-e in collaboration with Star Wars and Cobra; key visuals for GRAND FRONT OSAKA’s 3rd anniversary; poster designs for Onoe Matsuya’s solo show Idomu; key visuals for television series Ishikawa Goemon, to name a few.
Ishikawa’s recent works include a collaboration with KATSUSHIKA Hokusai for the exhibition Hokusai and Japonisme held at the National Museum of Western Art, a collaborative clothing line with New Era, and key visuals for the contemporary kabuki adaptation of Star Wars.
https://www.konjakulabo.com/
Publisher's Comment
The design pays homage to the artwork of Iron Maiden’s second album, Killers. The word tsujigiri in the Japanese title of this Ukiyo-e (Tsujigiri Eddie) literally translates as “crossroads killing”, is a reference to the traditional practice of samurais before the 1600’s. To test the effectiveness of a new swords, samurais would attack unexpected defenseless passers-by in the streets at night, and slash their throats. This ancient practice echoes the crimes of Jack-the-Ripper, who slashed his victim’s throat, and who originates from Iron Maiden’s native country, Great Britain.
The legendary traditional Iron Maiden torture device is pictured in the top righthand corner of the artwork. The characters within phonetically spell out “Iron Maiden” and have the meaning “works of darkness.”