Classic Ukiyo E Tattoo

Some of the most striking and influential Japanese woodblock prints from the Edo and Meiji periods are those with designs within designs, as artists produced portraits of actors, samurai, outlaws and other marginal characters whose skins were covered with tattoos of demons, dragons, snakes and similar creatures in all manner of diverse configurations. Many of these would form the basis for modern-day yakuza tattoo motifs, and are now increasingly referenced by tattoo artists worldwide. "Classic Ukiyo-e Tattoo" is a special art ebook which collects 55 of the most original and dazzling tattoo prints by three major artists - Kunisada, Kuniyoshi, and Kunichika, each of whom is represented by a full-colour cache of rarely-seen artworks.

This work discusses the art of the Japanese tattoo in the context of Ukiyo-e, focusing on the parallel histories of the woodblock print and the tattoo.

This publication is dedicated to Owaka Mitsuaki (1935-1989), the celebrated Japanese tattoo master who devoted his life to the study and practice of traditional Japanese tattooing. Part of contents: The Ancient History of Tattooing in Japan / Foreigners in Japan / Ainu / Firefighters / Colour Woodblock-printing / Tattooing in the Meiji Period / The Tattoo Master and his Techniques / Yakuza / Iconography / Japanese Tattooing Today / The Van der Velden Collection.

A visually rich book about Japanese style tattooing, far-reaching in terms of scope and depth, that offers readers a comprehensive picture of the influence of traditional Japanese tattoos on some of the best tattoo artists working in the genre today. Irezumi, or simply tattooing, has a long history in Japanese culture. Arranged by continents, this book features a varied and diverse selection of 45 top tattoo artists from around the world, from ones whose creations are closely aligned with the traditions and values of classical Japanese tattoos, to those who take a more contemporary approach, using the Japanese style as a stepping stone for expressing their own unique vision and voice. The text is based on interviews with the artists in which they discuss their artistic backgrounds, how they got started in the world of tattooing, how they became interested in the Japanese style, and how they define their work. They also discuss some of their major influences, including other tattoo artists and traditional Japanese art forms such as ukiyo-e woodblock prints. While the earliest recorded history of tattoos is from the 5th century, a 3rd century Chinese account describes how the Japanese would tattoo themselves to delineate social classes and how sailors would apply them as protection against sea monsters. Nearly every page of the book contains large-format and detailed photographs of tattoos by the featured artists, as well as prints of some of their work, that introduce readers to new tendencies in this ancient art, reflecting the characteristics that differentiate it from other tattoo styles and illustrating the growing international popularity of Japanese style in recent years. Far-reaching in terms of scope and depth, this book offers a comprehensive picture of the influence of traditional Japanese tattooing style on some of the best tattoo artists working in the genre today.

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. What's more, there will be interviews with clients, who are typically overlooked in similar books, allowing them to discuss what their Japanese tattoos mean to them. Those who read this informative tattoo guide will be more knowledgeable about Japanese tattoos should they want to get inked or if they are simply interested in Japanese art and culture.

Reproduces ukiyo-e prints from the incomparable collection of Japanese art at the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston. Many tattoo connoisseurs consider the Japanese tradition to be the finest in the world for its detail, complexity, and compositional skill. Its style and subject matter are drawn from the visual treasure trove of Japanese popular culture, in particular the colour woodblock prints of the early nineteenth century known as ukiyo-e. This book tells the fascinating story of how ukiyo-e first inspired tattoo artists as the pictorial tradition of tattooing in Japan was just beginning. It explores the Japanese tattoo's evolving meanings, from symbol of devotion to punishment and even to crime, and reveals the tales behind specific motifs. With lush, colourful images of flowers blooming on the arm of a thief, sea monsters coiling across the back of a hero, and legendary warriors battling on the chests of actors, the tattoos in these Japanese prints can offer the same vivid inspiration today as they did two hundred years ago.

In this book, the beauty and design of Japanese tattoos are explored through ukiyo-e prints and explained in detailed bilingual Japanese and English text. In recent years, the number of ukiyo-e tattoo designs, or tattoo designs using ukiyo-e motifs, has increased, and ukiyo-e are becoming more popular among tattoo lovers. First, Chapter 1 presents the artworks by artist, beginning with Kuniyoshi Utagawa, to introduce the beauty and design of tattoos by artists such as Toyokuni Utagawa, Yoshitoshi Tsukioka, Yoshiiku Ochiai, Kunichika Toyohara, and Yoshitora Utagawa. In Chapter 2, tattoo designs based on ukiyo-e are presented and grouped by motif, specifically including examples such as Shinto and Buddhist deities (Fujin, Raijin...); animals (dogs, cats, wolves, lions, monkeys...); plants (peonies, cherry blossoms, chrysanthemums...); yokai monsters (Hannya, skulls, bakenekos...); caricatures (Otsu-e, Okame, Hyottoko...) and more. This book appeals not only to lovers of traditional Japanese culture, but also to tattoo-lovers and tattoo artists, who can use it as a reference for designs.

In Horihide we celebrate the life and work of one of Japan's most famous tattoo artists, Kazuo Oguri, the pioneer who introduced traditional Japanese tattoo iconography and techniques to the West. Since Oguri's visit to Sailor Jerry in Hawaii in the early 1960s, Western tattooing has never been the same and Japanese body suit tattoos are now appreciated throughout the world as a pinnacle of the art of tattooing. To celebrate his lengthy career we present 72 designs from his extensive oeuvre, which reflect his love of themes from traditional Japanese woodblock prints (ukiyo-e), in particular Utagawa Kuniyoshi's series of "heroes and warriors" prints. For this special occasion Horihide shared recollections from his life with the young Japanese tattoo artist Yushi "Horikichi" Takei in a surprisingly frank interview in which he describes episodes from his youth, his difficult but rewarding apprenticeship and his love for his master as well as some delightful anecdotes relating to his work. Horihide's enduring contribution to the art of tattooing is acknowledged in testimonials by Doc Forest, Bill Loika, and Henk "Hanky Panky" Schiffmacher, fellow tattoo heroes and steadfast Horihide fans. This book is a treasure for true Horihide fans and anyone interested in Japanese art and tattooing in general.