Do you know how a silversmith determines when the metal is pure? It is only when he sees his face upon the shining, pure metal. We are like gold or silver, melted in the fire of tribulation, so that the dross (waste or impurity) is burned away. We are to reflect God's face upon our face or surface. Life is a process of purification.

God , Country & Tattoos
Dennis E. Dwyer

Who-ever expected such language, out of a book like this. Mr. Dwyer had the privilege of meeting Horitoshi back in the late 1980s during a visit to Japan and several of his deshi's (some of which no longer are- e.g. Daisuke)