“Pahu Pahu” 07: Pikapikaokahe’e X Ichimatsu MOYOU
KAIROU Waterman is proud to present the latest iteration in its Pahu Pahu fine art series, honoring Su’a Suluape Keone Nunes, his school of Hawaiian tattooing - Pā Uhi, and his esteemed mentor Su’a Suluape Paulo II: “Pahu Pahu” 07 - Pikapikaokahe’e X Ichimatsu Moyou
“Pahu Pahu” 07 - Pikapikaokahe’e X Ichimatsu Moyou
Patterns used and popularized in traditional Japanese clothing are called Wagara (和柄). They originate from an era of Japan’s history known as the Heian period (occurring roughly between the 8th and 11th century). Like all works of art, each wagara composition was originally conceived to decorate, and traditional utilitarian clothing like the Kimono and Yukata became an ideal canvas. Garments featuring wagara were considered more distinctive, more colorful, and more desirable - projecting status, wealth, or influence. Some unique designs were specially reserved for social elites, royal courtiers, warlords, as well as for the Shogun himself.
The pattern known as Ichimatsu, or Ichimatsu Moyou is named for famed kabuki actor Sanogawa Ichimatsu I (佐野川 市松). From 1733 until his death in 1762, at the age of forty, Ichimatsu was famed for portraying young heroes. Ichimatsu was a celebrity in every sense. During a series of performances in historic Edo (now Tokyo) during 1741, Ichimatsu wore a distinct ichidatami (checkerboard) pattern on his costuming. As the checkered pattern became a fashion trend and social craze, so too did Ichimatsu’s fame and legacy grow. Ultimately, the pattern came to be known as ichimatsu moyou, honoring the actor.
“Pahu Pahu” 07 features an Ichimatsu Moyou background pattern, with three lines of starkly contrasted pikapikaokahe’e.
In contrast to the board’s Ichimatsu background are three rows of pikapikaokahe’e, or octopus tentacles, reaching across the center of the board. A powerful symbol in the Hawaiian worldview, the octopus exists both as avatar to Kanaloa - deity of large & small waters, including the vast ocean - as well as a clever oceanic survivor, worthy of respect. Certain clans of ancient Hawaiians adopted the octopus as their spiritual patron. In rare cases, those clans might abstain from fishing or eating the animal. The Hawaiian octopus motif is characterized by lengths of equally spaced rectangular elements, alternating from one end of a length to the other. The linear contrasts of both Japanese and Hawaiian pattern sets makes for a visual feast. The look is immediately captivating and curious. A small border in the traditional Hawaiian motifs frames the KAIROU logo at the rear kick.
Constructed from plys of Canadian Maple, and painted in acid-free acrylic black ink, the texture of each board’s composition is meant to emulate the fresh uhi (marks) left by a skilled practitioner, using a traditional hahau (tapping stick) and mōlī (bone needle applicator). “Pahu Pahu” 07 will be available for purchase in May 2023, with a certificate of authenticity.
Available exclusively at the KAIROU Waterman Makeke.
