Description

The opulently illustrated volume “Tattoo in Japan” is an impressive book about the high art of tattooing in Japan. Not solely for fans of tattoos, it’s equally appealing for people who are interested in Japanese culture and art. This book will likewise delight graphic artists, fashion designers and visual artists.

The art of creating long-lasting body decorations has an age-old tradition in Japan. Many parallels can be drawn between this traditional genre and classical ink paintings and woodcuts by Japanese masters. This book contains works by many of the finest and most prestigious tattoo masters. Old masters provide inspiration and serve as a teachers for a younger generation of tattoo artists. Included are rare and beautifully documented works by traditional masters with their delicate and impressive full body suit tattoos, the style of which has changed very little since the Edo Period, when this art form first became popular.

The art works are depicted in intimate photojournalism, where they provide silent testimony to months spent under the needles of these masters. Tattoo aficionados will be familiar with the names of artists such as Horikazu, Horitoku, Horiyoshi III. Horihide or Horiyasu, but this comprehensive book also features the diverse styles that are prominent in contemporary tattooing. The spectrum ranges from old school, to neo-traditional and contemporary styles.

The volume’s generously large format provides ample space for impressive photographs which capture the diversity and lively creativity of Japan’s tattoo scene. The visual interest is further enhanced by a successful mix of studio shots and photographs taken onsite. The book is divided into four chapters: Tokyo, Chubu (the region between Tokyo and Kyoto, with Nagoya as its capital city), Kyoto and Osaka. Tattooists in each metropolis have their own distinct styles and trends, spanning a wide spectrum from classically conservative to totally eccentric and extreme.Readers who are eager to delve more deeply into the subject will appreciate the numerous, well-researched texts about the history and background of tattooing. Rounding out the volume are interviews with grand masters, who offer exciting insights into their lives and work, as well as into the tattoo scene in general.

“Tattoo in Japan” is a very special book that could only have been created thanks to a unique combination of much love, intense dedication and the utmost efforts by all its contributors. We sincerely hope you’ll feel and share our enthusiasm.

SKIN DEEP (England) ”One of the most striking aspects of this book is the spectrum that it presents of Japanese tattooing – it’s so vast! As you digest the sharp contrasts between the traditional and the contemporary schools of thought, you glean a sense of how diverse the ideals behind getting tattooed are and the vast cultural differences between the historical tattoo and the Western-influenced that is a mainstay of street shops. This behemoth is possibly one of the defining publications to focus upon Japanese tattooing in the past few years and it a beautiful documentation of the land’s deep-rooted passion for body art.”

Tätowiermagazin (Germany) “Several kilograms of Japanese tattoo art in hardcover! Tattoo in Japan is a genuinely monumental volume with plenty of content! All of its photos are of first-rate quality. They combine to make this very heavy photobook extremely valuable. Introductory texts, explanations of various motifs in Japanese tattooing, and prose portraits of individual masters tattooists are brief, but interesting to read.”

Tattoo Spirit (Germany) The photobook Tattoo in Japan is a truly impressive masterpiece that will delight all tattoo fans. The spectrum of superlatively photographed tattoos ranges from old school to neo-traditional and contemporary styles. Exciting, authentic interviews with several masters round out the book and make it into a jewel for every collection.”

TATOUAGE Magazin (France) ”Les Edition Reuss en Allemagne ont mis le paquet avec ’Tattoo in Japan’. Un trčs gros bel ouvrage sur le tatouage japonais. Grand format, 250 images couleurs de quatre photographes, et quatre régions explorée (Kanto, Chubu, Kyoto, Osaka). Bref de quoi admirer des fulls bodies signés des maîtres traditionnels nippons comme de la nouvelle vague. Indespensable pour tous les fans de l’Irezumi.”

TATTOO DOWN UNDER (Australia) The grand masters of an art is known in Japan as a ”sensei”: this book contains works by many of the finest and most prestigious master tattooists. These virtuosos provide inspiration and serve as role models for a younger generation of tattoo artists in their Asian homeland and abroad. ’Tattoo in Japan’ is a very special book that could only have been created thanks to a unique combinations of much love, intense dedication and the utmost efforts by all its contributors. We sincerely hope you’ll feel and share our enthusiasm.”