A massive tiger stretches from street level to over 20 feet in the air outside Jinsei Motto, a soon-to-reopen sushi restaurant in Logan Square. The giant cat was painted by muralist Chris Orta, whose work can be found in other parts of Chicago, including Humboldt Park and Pilsen.
The tiger's design was inspired by Japanese imagery that Orta often incorporates into his tattoos. In this case, the image features a bold yet subtle color palette - shades of gray, black, beige, and soft red - to blend in with the surrounding buildings. Orta, who co-owns Sunflower Tattoos, wanted the mural to make a statement while also complementing the neighborhood's aesthetic.
For Jinsei Motto owners Eric Blanck and Patrick Bouaphanh, the tiger represents strength, courage, and long life - qualities they want their restaurant to embody. According to Orta, the rising tiger symbolizes rising up and represents the idea that "you have to look twice to know what you're looking at." The mural, he believes, will inspire young people who pass by to pursue their passions.
Jinsei Motto is set to reopen in early next year after relocating from its previous home in the West Loop. The restaurant's relocation marks a significant change for the neighborhood, with Orta's mural serving as a focal point for both the business and the community.
The tiger's design was inspired by Japanese imagery that Orta often incorporates into his tattoos. In this case, the image features a bold yet subtle color palette - shades of gray, black, beige, and soft red - to blend in with the surrounding buildings. Orta, who co-owns Sunflower Tattoos, wanted the mural to make a statement while also complementing the neighborhood's aesthetic.
For Jinsei Motto owners Eric Blanck and Patrick Bouaphanh, the tiger represents strength, courage, and long life - qualities they want their restaurant to embody. According to Orta, the rising tiger symbolizes rising up and represents the idea that "you have to look twice to know what you're looking at." The mural, he believes, will inspire young people who pass by to pursue their passions.
Jinsei Motto is set to reopen in early next year after relocating from its previous home in the West Loop. The restaurant's relocation marks a significant change for the neighborhood, with Orta's mural serving as a focal point for both the business and the community.
! I mean, it's not just some random artwork, it's got meaning behind it. The fact that it's inspired by Japanese imagery and Chris Orta's tattoos is a great touch. And I love how the colors blend in with the surrounding buildings - it's like they're one with the neighborhood.
. And Orta's quote about having to look twice to know what you're looking at is really deep 
. It's like, you gotta see something multiple times before you truly understand it.
... but now that I know more about it, I'm totally sold. It's like this whole other thing - art, culture, and community all coming together in one spot 
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chris ortas style is always fire 
i'm a big fan of his work in chicago, humboldt park and pilsen are faves spots to check out. jinsei motto is gonna be so lit when it opens back up, the energy around this place just got a whole new vibe 
Yes, he is! He has worked on other murals in Humboldt Park and Pilsen, so it's cool that the owners chose someone with experience to create this piece. The colors used seem fitting for the neighborhood, too - the subtle tones won't distract from the sushi place itself. I'm curious to see how the locals react to the mural, but I can already imagine it being a popular spot for Instagram pics 
. The symbolism behind the rising tiger makes sense, and I love that the owners are trying to inspire young people to chase their passions! 
and the fact that it blends in with the surrounding buildings is pure genius 
i love how it represents strength, courage, and long life for jinese motto - they're gonna crush it now 
and btw Orta's right, you gotta look twice to know what you're looking at 
cant wait to try out Jinsei Motto when it opens next year! 
it makes me think about how art can totally transform the vibe of a place, like Orta did here. It's not just some random mural, it's like, an experience for the neighborhood, you know? And I wonder if people will actually take the time to look at it twice and really notice what they're seeing 
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and I'm low-key obsessed! The colors are so on point, it blends in with the buildings but still makes a statement 
. I love how Chris Orta incorporated Japanese imagery into his design 
. It's dope that the owners of Jinsei Motto wanted to represent strength & courage through their mural 
. The mural is already making the neighborhood look way cooler, and it's a great focal point 
. I'm all about community-driven projects like this 
it's so dope how Chris Orta incorporated Japanese imagery into the design, and that color palette is everything 
Can't wait for Jinsei Motto to reopen and check out the mural in person 
and what's up with the subtle color palette? is that meant to make it blend in or something? 
also, i wonder if Orta did his research on Japanese culture before making this design... sources please? 