Was reading the Japan Times today. interesting stuff. read an article about tattoos and a convention. yesterday i met horitaka of horiyoshi family of tokyo. very talented tebori artist. all the artwork on his body is done by hand style irezumi. very traditionally done. i think he will do great work, but i am anxious as the needles. cant resist a a rollick of laugh, thinking about some needles. i know how the machine feels. it hurts sure. but you anticipate it. this, i dont know. is five hours under it, going to knock me out. they always say eat well before, but i tend not to. so im in like a half awake zone, makes me take out the pain better. but anyways , this time i think i will though. he may go for a while. a large man, showed me some impressive, just slight work on his arm, excellent fading out with dots- very traditional some flowers ,..ah got drifted away into what flowers i would like with the kirin. when i suggested indian flowers it was frowned upon, because he is a very traditional artist who will portray a consistency - of traditional Japanese tattooing. its good, but i found that jasmine also grows in japan and also the yuri- spider lily, very pretty flower. that would be cool. i noticed one guy being worked on by a very good machine artist his eyes were flinching in pain and expression as he closed his eyes squinted and stuff. But on the arm im sure its very sensitive. yeah i felt it to be on my top shoulder. but then again i did not make any expressions. i think it has more to do with the way i was brought up. and my inherent tendencies ; both that led to not showing external expression as much. so i seem more stoic on the inside. in fact, in that sense , i am very deep. on the external my actions betray whats happening inside; in that way i have learned also not to judge anyone exclusively either, because inside can lurk many things. i told the hand artist i would like to learn the art. but the maze to japan and through those hidden doors is difficult. tired now..