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.