The Runcible Blog

Onisutaya Azamino and Gontaro, a Man of the World
Kitagawa Utamaro I 1798

During the eighteenth century, both men and women proved their romantic devotion with a homemade tattoo of their beloved's name, plus the word inochi, "life." The last stroke of the word was extended to suggest lifelong commitment.

I now live in Somerville with two females. Compare their shower paraphernalia:

More on this new living arrangement soon.