Cherry blossoms and monsters! Indian Chief is tattooed!

Tattoo artist Shige and Indian Motorcycle have teamed up to create a second tattoo art motorcycle for the Indian Chief, clad in stunning Japanese gargoyles and cherry blossoms.

Shige, a tattoo artist from Yokohama, Japan, has been refining his skills in his tattoo studio, Yellow Flame, since the mid-1990s.

Shige says:

"I chose the design of the demon in the cherry blossom storm. My understanding of tattoos is different from most people's idea of tattoos, who understand them mainly as decoration.

Oni is a demon, but it doesn't mean evil, it represents strong will and protection. It wards off bad luck and protects you from evil. The motif shows one's determination to live in this harsh world with a strong heart."

A tattoo must move beautifully with the body. Cherry blossoms are the perfect combination because they are there to balance the deeper meanings of demons and flowers. Cherry blossoms mean "the sadness of things". This image of "sensitivity to fleeting moments" can also be related to motorcycles, or even to a person's life.

That is why I chose this image. Showing the dramatic depth of the Indian Motorcycle Chief and life itself is not just about looks, and I wanted to incorporate that emotional drama into the design of this motorcycle."

The motorcycle will be unveiled at a VIP event in London in spring 2022.