Think Ink
Tatoos aren't just for yakuza
— in Japan the art has a long and noble tradition. And a tattoo
makes for a more enduring souvenir than a t-shirt. KS takes a penetrating
look at the art of the needle.
A tattoo is the permanent accessory everyone has
an opinion about, whether it be prejudice or pleasure. Typically
in summer, more people begin to wonder what a heart on the ankle
would look like at the beach, or perhaps a nice hibiscus, or some
other such Summery flower. Be bold! Be different! How about a full
body tattoo? Not only are they painful and a sign of social subversion,
but you can look dressed, even when you're not!
In Japan the tradition of tattooing can be traced
back before the Edo period (1603 - 1867, a long time ago). The woodblock
print was the Mona Lisa of the time and the working class had the
idea of copying the lower class and getting the wood-block artists
to draw their favourite characters on their bodies. Japanese tattoo
is known as irezumi (insertion of ink) and can be the adjective,
the artist, the wearer of the design or the design itself, or horimono
(carved thing). The artist is known as a horishi (carver).
The horimono is the most highly respected form
of tattoo in the world today. World-famous for the history, the
beauty, and the meaning of the process and the design. KS spoke
to one horimono master at his studio in Umeda, Osaka.
Shodai Horitoshi has been working at Kazu Tattoo
Studio for the past 6 years. His name and reputation have spread
in Japan and beyond because of his impressive 23-year career as
a horishi. Four of his past students now run studios of their own
and he's currently training two more students at Kazu Studio.
“It's a way to preserve and protect a Japanese
art form. There are many tattoo artists recently, but they have
never learned the traditional process of horimono,” says Horitoshi.
 Horimono
is a serious art form, taking from 6 months to a number of years
to complete, depending on the design. The method tebori (to carve
by hand) is long and painful. The design is drawn on the skin in
Chinese ink (sumi), then triangular gouges are used to form an outline
after which colour is worked in by hand.
Horitoshi is also skilled with machine style tattoo,
which is more affordable and convenient nowadays.
“When I was younger, I drew designs on walls
and on paper. My friends asked me to do tattoo for them. That's
where it began. From around the age of 17, I began practicing and
studying with the people around me.”
Horitoshi himself has many designs on his body.
Some drawn by himself, others by his friends in the USA. Each is
significant with it's own history and meaning. What he won't disclose
for us is his horimono explaining that it is a very personal and
private thing. Looking around the studio, there are no racks and
albums of pictures for customers to choose from (I'll have an M-size
21a thanks, with the pink butterfly).
 “When
a client has chosen to come to me to get horimono, we talk together
about the style and what the client wants. After that, I begin the
process. Whereas with regular tattoos I will make a picture first
and get the clients approval before beginning.
“The difference is that a horimono client has come to me because
they respect my work and my designs, and it's almost one hundred
percent of my artistic interpretation I will put my soul into its
creation,” he humbly says.
Regarding machine tattoo, Kazu Studio staff will
talk to clients beforehand to give advice to guarantee the client
is happy. They also provide after-service care, explaining how to
maintain and take care of the tattoo. The staff speak some English,
and appointments are necessary. The maximum waiting time is 2 weeks
before an appointment, though if there's a free place when you call
you can drop in. Horitoshi's style of machine tattoo is very colourful
and beautiful, popular with the ladies. Tribal designs using black
ink are more popular with the fellas.
As for the future of Kazu studio and its master
Horitoshi, right now he's working on an impressive dragon horimono.
“I'm not so interested in the business side
of the studio, my passion is to preserve the art of horimono. The
studio gives me enough money to live comfortably” .
He also has a passion for jet skis, so if you're
feeling a little inti-midated, picture Horitoshi zooming about the
ocean with the wind in his hair and the sun at his back, which will
most probably be covered.
With many thanks to Matt Shipman and Tomiyoka Yoshiyuki
Kazu Tattoo Studio
18-1, 5F Daishin Higashi Umeda Bldg.
Kita-ku, Doyamacho, Osaka 530-0027
Email: irezumi@osk4.3web.nejp
http://www2.osk.3web.ne.jp/-irezumi/
Tel: 06-6367-6986
Text: Jared Olthof • Photos: Kazu Tattoo Studio,
KS
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