Japanese Tattoos

Thinking of getting a Japanese-style tattoo? Want to avoid a permanent mistake? Japanese Tattoos is an insider's look at the world of Japanese irezumi (tattoos).

Japanese Tattoos explains the imagery featured in Japanese tattoos so that readers can avoid getting ink they don't understand or, worse, that they'll regret. This photo-heavy book will also trace the history of Japanese tattooing, putting the iconography and kanji symbols in their proper context so readers will be better informed as to what they mean and have a deeper understanding of irezumi. Tattoos featured will range from traditional tebori (hand-poked) and kanji tattoos to anime-inspired and modern works—as well as everything in between. For the first time, Japanese tattooing will be put together in a visually attractive, informative, and authoritative way.

Along with the 350+ photos of tattoos, Japanese Tattoos will also feature interviews with Japanese tattoo artists on a variety of topics.

The Financial Times (21,000,000 monthly visitors) recently interviewed Brian Ashcraft and Hori Benny for a story about "Tattoos and the Japanese constitution". Watch the entire story here

"Every time I flip through this richly detailed book I find another tattoo image to read about, another tradition or legacy to learn about. I know the world of Japanese tattooing could fill multiple volumes – and indeed it does – but I don't think your collection would be complete without this gem." —Tattoo Tourist

“"Ultimately, Japanese Tattoos brims with the authors' respect and love for the craft, occupying a curious space somewhere between field guide and coffee table book." -- The Japan Times”

"Japanese Tattoos not only peers deep into the nuances of Japan's tattooing history but also takes a look at its current fusion with pop culture and shows us where it's heading." --Shinji Watanabe, editor-in-chief, Tattoo Tribal magazine
"This book is chock full of classic themes, characters, and designs, with plenty of notes on the historical significance of tattoo culture. Of course, it's great inspiration for modern tattoos, but also for any other visual art." --Boing Boing
"Ultimately, Japanese Tattoos brims with the authors' respect and love for the craft, occupying a curious space somewhere between field guide and coffee table book." --The Japan Times

Brian Ashcraft is a former senior writer for the video-game site Kotaku. Ashcraft was previously a contributing editor at Wired magazine; his work has also appeared in Popular Science, the Guardian, the Japan Times, and the design journal Metropolis, as well as numerous other publications worldwide. He is the author of Arcade Mania! and Japanese Schoolgirl Confidential. Originally from Texas, he called Osaka home for well over a decade before returning to Dallas, Texas in 2022.

Hori Benny was born in Minneapolis and moved to Japan in 2002. Two years later he settled in Osaka and began a tattoo apprenticeship at Chopstick Tattoo. In 2014 he formed his own studio, Invasion Club, near Osaka's otaku cultural center in Nipponbashi. He does custom work in a variety of genres.

Thinking of getting a Japanese-style tattoo? Want to avoid a permanent mistake? Japanese Tattoos is an insider's look at the world of Japanese irezumi ( tattoos). Japanese Tattoos explains the imagery featured in Japanese tattoos so that readers can avoid getting ink they don't understand or, worse, that they'll regret. This photo-heavy book will also trace the history of Japanese tattooing, putting the iconography and kanji symbols in their proper context so readers will be better informed as to what they mean and have a deeper understanding of irezumi. Tattoos featured will range from traditional tebori (hand-poked) and kanji tattoos to anime-inspired and modern works--as well as everything in between. For the first time, Japanese tattooing will be put together in a visually attractive, informative, and authoritative way. Along with the 350+ photos of tattoos, Japanese Tattoos will also feature interviews with Japanese tattoo artists on a variety of topics. The Financial Times (21,000,000 monthly visitors) recently interviewed Brian Ashcraft and Hori Benny for a story about "Tattoos and the Japanese constitution". Watch the entire story here "Every time I flip through this richly detailed book I find another tattoo image to read about, another tradition or legacy to learn about. I know the world of Japanese tattooing could fill multiple volumes - and indeed it does - but I don't think your collection would be complete without this gem." -- Tattoo Tourist

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