Hokkei Totoya, Lu Zhishen, Suikoden and the Five Elements, Surimono-e, Tattoo Design

Suikoden (Water Margin) is a 14th century Chinese novel about 108 rebels and heroic bandits, very popular in Japan in the Edo period. The characters were also outlaws and brigands, seen as men of honour who would rebel against bureaucracy, a Robin-Hood-like band that made the story of a revolutionary novel with implications resenting the authority of the time. Many Japanese novels imitating the Suikoden were dramatised as Kabuki plays or were portrayed in woodblock prints.

Lu Zhishen is one of the characters from the story, usually depicted with floral tattoos.