Occult & Esoterica
[JENX, Peter; METTA, Ajarn] The Thai Occult. Sak Yant
[JENX, Peter; METTA, Ajarn] The Thai Occult. Sak Yant
Timeless Edition, 2017. First Edition. Hardcover (issued without dust jacket). Large octavo. 284pp. Black cloth with blind borders and silver stamped designs to front and back. Silver titles to spine. Illustrated throughout with color and b&w photographs, plus black and white drawings. A fine copy.
The art of Sak Yant, the magical tattoos of Thailand, has become a world-wide phenomenon but as yet few have revealed what they actually constitute, what the designs mean, or the languages and the types of ink used, all of which adds to their power. In this new work on the subject, interviews with the makers have revealed their views on the ancient origins, the practices that have to be upheld for them to work as a talisman on the skin and even the practice methods needed to be able to tattoo using the traditional rod. The section on how to become a Sak Yant Ajarn may also be of interest to many. Nine of Thailand’s great makers have given extensive interviews to substantiate their ideas and the methods used to bestow the various attributes that the Sak Yant give to the bearer. The book includes a compendium of designs as well as the ideas pertaining to the changing use of images in modern times. The book hopes to set the record straight as to what should be present in a Sak Yant to make them work and the training that each maker has undertaken to be able to gain the title of a Sak Yant Ajarn. Peter Jenx, the author of The Thai Occult series of works has here been joined by Ajarn Metta in the hope of clearing some of the misconceptions of the art of Sak Yant, and to bring clarity to what actually constitutes a Sak Yant.