Just received Tattoo In Japan.
synopsis:
An excellent book with beautiful illustrations . Includes popular styles of Japan (western influenced) & traditional irezumi by tebori artists. Very thick, good photographs
Okay Now my problems with it: I mean, yes the japanese journalist who composed the book did a nice job. But she did not have the right sensitivity in my opinion. Where is Horitoshi of Tokyo, Ikekuburo ? And his deshi's? Only Horitoku San Is here. Which is very good, his art is stunning. to say the least. I have never seen pieces like some. I am glad that Horiyoshi III is not featured in too detail. Frankly, he does too much by machine, to be considered traditional Japanese. he is a great master, sure, and his lineage, but much of his art has become influenced by western traditions, that I do not find appealing.

I really would like to find the opportunity to learn this art. But I will wait. Patience, is that which gives time allowance to flower on her veins, course through the earth into my skin. Learning Japanese is essential. That will take approximately two years. But with that, I am confident, and some other classes in culture, etc. that I will be able to learn the art at least to some degree from a teacher. And during the mean time, I am going to experiment on myself , create some needles. There is an ancient Indian text on some things, which will be helpful; inside my head I got it . I doubt anyone reads this, so I will be posting some pictures later on in the year- say November 09, to see how my work goes. I sketched some simple japanese beasts. I will need to get some Kuniyoshi prints. I got this too tiny book. Piece of shit, is too small to look and copy. anyways , I will have to research what kind of needle I need. I will just stick with black ink. Try to see how sumi is traditionally made. and I ll just do all black, different gradations. thats it for now.. time to get back to real stuff.