The village of Shi clan on a moonlit night - Nine-dragon tattoo, from the series One hundred aspects of the moon

Shi Jin was one of the 108 bandits in the 13th-century Chinese tale 'The watermargin' ('Shuihu zhuan'), later translated into Japanese as 'Suikoden'. Originally from a wealthy landowner family, Shi Jin became an outlaw after sympathising with three bandit leaders who planned to attack his village. Shi caught but released them after hearing how oppression and injustice had forced them to become outlaws. Elaborate body tattoos symbolised physical courage and toughness but were also markers of a low social class. Shi Jin’s heavily tattooed body indicates he has joined the rank of the bandits. Here, he enjoys a last peaceful evening before leaving his home to escape arrest.