The Art of Uruonurun - 2

Uruonurun's 'Ninja' series depicts the capture of a young warrior by two determined-looking men. Ninjas are men to be feared but they strip him of the ceremonial clothing that defines his calling and hides his identity. He's revealed as a man like any other man, dressed only in a curious shirt of net-like material and a scanty loincloth, his 'Fundoshi'. Then, as if to mock him, they tie him up, shibari-style. with one leg raised and doubled back, the other stretched out behind, suspending him in that, uncomfortable, position. In Western eyes this pose suggests a mythical hero (or his modern day, 'super' equivalent) about to take flight. This man is going nowhere. His tight loincloth gleams as though it is wet and the outline revealed betrays feelings that do not entirely chime with the embarrassed, angry look on the humbled Ninja's face.  

The characterisation of the two 'villains' here is contrasting. One is portrayed like a malevolent, uncouth torturer - overweight, masked and scantily dressed - the latter a device to intimidate the captive but also to protect his clothing from any mess as he goes about his unpleasant task. His pleasure as he tightens the ropes on the protesting captive is evident in his face and even more so further down. 

By contrast, the other captor appears cultured and well dressed, a person of some standing - he might even be the Ninja's mentor, training him to be more resilient. However, what we can see of his face suggests dark intentions indeed. The only clue to his inner feelings is his hand, resting on top of the captive's tensed thigh, emphasising his control and maybe something more. 

Uruonurun reaches back into Japanese artistic tradition for this group of images showing a fisherman menaced by a giant octopus that he has unwittingly caught in his net. Although he's still clinging onto the net ropes here, it's obvious the octopus must have climbed aboard under it's own steam. One of it's tentacles is draped over Ryoushi's* knee (compare with the top image). The remains of the net encircling the creature seem to have assumed the shape of a bikini pouch, as though attributing human characteristics to it (in that particular department anyway).

Notice the artful, traditional styling of the water, now calm. 

The creature's tentacles turn out to be surprisingly dextrous. It's able to undo the fisherman's trouser flies which part to reveal a interesting shape in his underwear. Another tentacle slides inside his tank-top vest. The fisherman, we can see is exceptionally well-muscled underneath. Perhaps he did haul the octopus aboard after all! He responds to the creature's groping with red-faced surprise, embarrassment and a certain amount of trepidation.

In the images that follow, all of Ryoushi clothes (except his bandana, gloves and boots) are removed by the creature. At any rate they all disappear. It's tentacles become increasingly intimate.

The nightmare deepens as the creature completely entwines the naked fisherman with it's tentacles, lifting him up but still holding on to his dick (now spent). This raises the terrible possibility that it intends to return to the sea (as eventually it must) but taking the terrified Ryoushi with it. In the final image of the series however the creature seems to dissolve away as though it really has been just a dream. There's a similar conclusion to the 'Hero's End' in Part 1 of this post.

Uruonurun - Omawari-San 02

This cheery fellow is an Uniformed Officer of some sort, possibly a policeman. The imagery that follows suggests this is the case, but the happy, relaxed pose here does not conjure up the law enforcement aspect of that role. 

Uruonurun - Omawari-San 03

The artist shows the cop to us in various states of undress. This is one of the most interesting, conjuring up the sense of a very physical man, despite the wide eyes which seem to belong to someone much younger - and more naïve.

This image shows him with an erotic awareness and confidence that is endearing. 

The dissolving table is (I think) an augury of the nightmare that is about to descend

 on this inoffensive young man.

In the sequence that follows the Officer is taken prisoner by two hooded criminals. He is beaten and given a full lesson in dark desires. The dramatic picture above showing him suspended in shibari ropework is the culmination of the incident and best image in the set. The others are to graphic for this blog but you should have no problem finding them via the links below.