Japanese Tattooist Horikoi

Hayabusa Books, softcover, 102 pages, 210x297mm

+ 13x18cm print

Irezumi (Japanese traditional tattoo) is based on ukiyoe, which is a genre of Japanese art in edo era. This couldn’t be shown in the museum. It is definitely different from other arts. There is a guy who continues to specialize in irezumi in Japan. Working in Toyohashi, Aichi, he is self-directed learner and his skill is outstanding, especially vibrant dark edge and vivid color. The name is Horikoi I. Even though it should not be talked about that, he used to be yakuza(Japanese gangs). Because of yakuza, irezumi has been developed uniquely and flourished as a secret art. They pursued and refined their dynamic desire. Under living in severe condition as yakuza, Horikoi I learned and practiced irezumi. It is impossible to imitate that magnificence if you just study. His working style is different. He uses his own hand and well-used machine. From stencils he drew for customer, you could feel irezumi alive equal in the real one. Although, originally, not so many tattoo artists spread their artwork out, this photo collection shows a lot of stencils which Horikoi I created for over 30 years. “Bunshin-Rensei-Tonsyo (文身道練成屯所)” would be the first book of Horikoi I and has been released proudly and sincerely.

*“Bunshin-Rensei-Tonsyo (文身道練成屯所)” is the name of his workshop and inherited from Horiyoshi III, who is a friend of him and has a longer career. Knowing his gratitude for such long years, we believed the best title is “Bunshin-Rensei-Tonsyo (文身道練成屯所)”