day one search for japanese tattoo master
this past monday my search began on the ground as it goes. I arrived in Yokohama which is only 1/2 hour from Tokyo by train on sunday night.
my only clue in my search for my personal japanese tattoo master was a name, Horiyoshi III, Yokohama Tattoo Museum, and an address in the back of a japanese tattoo illustrative book i had purchased at a japanese store in sydney.
the Yokohama Tattoo Museum and an address; should be enough?
the reception at the Yokohama Navio Hotel kindly goggled the Museum and gave me a print with directions in japanese for the cabbie.
the cabbies here know little english. they are extremely polite and friendly. as are 99.9 per cent of japanese. their cabs are immaculate with white frilly bits on the tops of the seats. everything in its place. the cabs are immaculately clean inside and out. the cabbies are usually older men and wear suits and white gloves. quite endearing. nice old dudes.
i made my way to the local metro and then up to Yokohama central rail. the rail system in japan is amazing with trains running every few minutes in every direction from the main stations. i came back from kawasaki nearby at midnight last night and the train was jam-packed with commuters (at midnight!) from tokyo. and i mean jammed packed with no room for anyone more. i squeezed in with a couple of others and only got in cos a few folks exited. it was very stuffy and lots of the japanese were sleeping some on their feet. others were chatting. no one paid much attention to me the token foreigner in the sardine can.
back to monday. arriving at Yokohama Station i cabbed it to the Yokohama Tattoo Museum. don’t think swank modern museum. think eclectic charming grunge. it was a rustic 60s building. non-descript and drab. would have fitted in back blocks east germany quite well. moving up, then down, then up the 3 levels, i couldn’t quite figure out which floor the museum was on. after some enquiries; should i say sign language and gesticulating with an old lady on level 3, i thought, i’ve come all this way from australia. i’ve heard that Horiyoshi III has been sick from some blurb i read on the net in australia written by an amercian dude who’d come here like me looking for the master and some tatts. yes i figured it was closed beacuse the great man was sick or oh yeah monday maybe irs closed for monday.
i wandered along the road wondering what to do. i came to a nice little local noodle bar. after a nice bowl of ramen (white noodles) with stray veges and a couple of slabs of pork floating in it, washed down with a handle of bira (beer), i figured that tomorrow was another day and that the new sun would spark in me the next moves.
Was in bellingen last week with family at cafe .
Was hoping to see you there.read some of your stuff..looks like a bit of a battle.
Kev
Hi Kevin. Nice to hear from you. Yes I have quite a few battles at the mo. Please look me up next time. Send me a message via this site. Donald
Hi Donald. How do I read the rest of your Horiyoshi III entries. I can’t seem to find a continuation, link to follow. Do you know if Mr. Nakano is still doing tebori because i’ve read that due to his health he will only do work with a machine.
Regards, Derryn
Derryn if you google “donaldelley blog” and then scroll down you’ll find all my blog entries going back to the first in April last year. I just tried it so you should be ok. Horiyoshi III to my knowledge is still tattooing. He doesn’t use tebori because as he told me due to his health he doesn’t have the required energy. He uses electric tatt gear. He buys all his gear off Gus of Gus Ltd. See blog article on Gus of Gus Ltd…
Don, sam here mate. Where are these days? Got to Syd 2 days ago and hoping we can hook up. drop me a linem mate. the sooner the better. Lots to talk about.
Hi Sam…I’m up in Bellingen til february…hope to come back to Japan by april to complete my tattoo back-piece…How r u?…
Hey Donald. Thanks for the reply, mate. Let me first congratulate you every Kiwi walking this Earth on Sunday’s historical win. Glad the Haka singers held to to their slim advantage and prevailed agains the eye gauging French! Not to mention how much in vain it would have been beating us and not capitalising on that…..
F. Oath I was watching the game. I was at the other hub near Yokohama Station and it was a big party too with a die hard Kiwis entertaing the crowd with the Haka too! Got me a few good shots too, Haka in Japan!
Glad we made it to Shibuya. I had fun too. We gotta do it again, couz.
I take it you heading to Werrigel (or was it? if not, excuse the memory or the spelling or both). Time to hit the racks, g nite, Donald.
Hi Sam. Yeah it was great at Coogee Bay Hotel. I can picture it would have been fun at Yokohama Hub near main station. Kiwis almost blew it tho. Stage fright? My latest trip to Japan was an amazing journey. My tatts are healing well and look awesome!!
Hey Donald. How is tattoing doing. It was a good conversation the other day at the hub.(Except for the result of the game and the smirk on your face as I was leaving! Tried to rub it in ey, mate?) Congrash anyway, the ABs deserved. You know who I will be going for in the final so I hope you will be on the right side on Friday. And just in case, It is us and the Welsh.
I finally had a quick look at the blog; Nice stuff, mate. Like the tattoes, The nice pics, the chicks, the chickens and the cows, the beachfront den and all that. and, Yep, I did see the dejected look on me face too. Good photography catches the moment!
I know you are off on Friday. If you can manage a bit of time on either Wed night or Thu night, I’d be more thna happy grab a bite together at some real JP style eatery. we could hook up at Yokohama, I guess. And you can either call me or better still email me to my mobile. The add is slickcrewbunbun1@softbank.ne.jp
Talk soon.
Sam
Hi Sam. Yes, it was great to talk with someone from Oz whos’ been here a decade. The jesting was fun two. I hope the Aussies do well on Friday! The tattooing has been full on. I’d like to meet up if possible. See how it goes but I’ll phone if up to it. I’ve been feeling sick today and yesterday after tattooing cos of amount of work done and perhaps I’m getting tired from 20 sessions…
Hey Mr Wanganui, Go The Blacks. Been some good photos and blogs ,how amazing that Horiyoshi won best backpiece tattoo. Your work is looking good,a lot more shading at top and on side.Hey Don its now 17th Oct All Blacks to good, I reckon they’ll smash France by about 30. How did it go on sunday at Tokyo Church? Anyhow Bro have to head off to get Bus,talk soon. Konnichiwa to Horiyoshi, Your Mate Robnee
Hey mate. Yeah the ABs were terrific and I can’t se the boys letting this one slip after 24 years since the last taste of Victory…Only have a little stretch of shading left for tomorrow. Will blog now re y day and t day.Didn’t make it to Tokyo as I was feeling tired and sick from the weeks tatts…next time…
Hi Donald…thank you so much for your quickly answer and interest about my question…I´m waiting your replay about it.Many Years ago i asked to tattoo artist who tattooed my body (2 artist…ndr…FILIP LEU and MICK TATTOO) what was the way to meet Mr Nakano….they told me calling him and present yourself….3 years ago i decided to call him,but unfortunatly i have readed that he want stopped to tattoo new client….so i thought “ok,i will go to japan only for to know this carismatic and legendary man´´….One month ago ( i was on board) i discovered your blog and got information that you started a tattoo with him…after i checked in HORIKITSUNE site and got information about a new artistic strenght of the Master and disponibility to take new client….
I´m super collector of japanese tattoo books(more than 100 hundred…complete series of HORIYOSHI´S BOOK….),collecting every day images of japanese tattoo(various blog…like your.blog….),horimono stories and so many pretty things linked to Japanese Tattoo and meanings of it I readed similiar adventure like this written by John Mack on site of Magazine NEEDLE AND SINS…also very good….He choosed Dragon and Flower for his back, arm and torso
One thing….interesting is that you are Australian….i have 2 tattoo (erotic tattoo…ndr SHUNGA) made by TREVOR MCSTAY,australian Tattoist specialized in Japanese Tattoo…..
Maybe one day i will meet you…in Yokohama!!!!!…..who know…..i will start my piece of sleeve,you will start your torso…or yours legs(ahahahahaha!!!!!)
Alessandro. Yeah.. Anytime you’re in Aussie or Yokohama when I’m there, lets meet up! I wont miss you in the street with all your tattoos. The Japanese will be looking at you…Did you get my email with the details re Horiyoshi? Sent to sandrotek2006@gmail.com
Hi Donald….really i didn´t receive your e mail about details of replay of Mr Nakano…so today i sent 1 mail for you about my free period next year…
If you could send this mail one more time i will thanks you a lot…
Interesting and very nice the moon on your back….something like “Yoshitoshi,one hundred aspects of the moon“…..amazing book….and special Ukiyo-e artist….and (usually) the best photo from the art of the Master…I like the snakes of Mr Nakano….are very `´cool`´….
Waiting for more photos of some FBS….MANY GREETINGS FROM RIO DE JANEIRO…
ALEX
Alessando. thanks for comments…pls send email to donald@citycommercial.net.au…and I’ll reply with details u need…yes tsuki (moon) is great. u mention Yoshi Toshi- my back-piece is off one of his drawings from that series, “One hundred aspects of the moon” – I’ll put foto of painting on last blog now….i finished y day for this trip, but going to Studio to interview Horiyoshi on his painting today…may find some more FBS there…?
Hi Don. Great work with the blog, i’m really enjoying it and having a look every day!
I’ve been studying irezumi for some time and am fascinated and amazed by the beautiful work of Horiyoshi III, your blog is a welcome insight.
Living in oz myself, i’d love to follow in your footsteps and make the trip to Japan. I was quite surprised that you are getting tattooed by Horiyoshi as i didnt think he was taking on new clients. I would love some work done myself but money and time constraints would mean i couldnt go all out like you are! Would have to be a smaller single piece or hikae.
Like Alessandro above, i’m sorry to be asking you but would love to know if this might be possible.
Keep up the good work! Regards, Will
Will. Thanks mate for the feedback- great!! I’ll send a reply to your email.re bookings
Hi Donald,how are you….i love your blog,in particulary experience with MR HORIYOSHI…AMAZING….i m italian,but i live in Brazil from 2005……I choosed this country due to my job ( i´m a chief engineer of a anchor handler towing supply….this type of ship working in brasilian oilfield basin)
I shared your painfull experince because i´ m already finished my fullbody……
I have a MUNEWARI SOUSHINBORI,but with slleeve not complete (only 3.4)….
I would loke to know(sorry to ask to you this via blog) if could be possible Mr Horiyoshi accept new customer and if is better to contact him by Fax or by Phone….this is my dream…..to complete my arm with THE MASTER…otherwise i will keep them in this way..
Thank you for the blog…and the amazing photo in King of Tattoo and Horiyoshi Studio
Many greetings….keep on truck
Alesssandro
Hi Alessando. I’ll send you a reply from Horiyoshi to your email now.
Hi Bro thought I’d better check in to see the progress, loving the blogs the tattoo is coming on. When touch ups all done will be good hey. My tattoo is getting itchy putting cream on and trying not to pick and scratch. Say Hi to Horiyoshi for me!! Don I hope you only had Kirin in the beer tent! Hey nice score with Bibos in photo with you. Good interview with The Master as well. Daryl loved the Kimono and she also likes the tattoo Yay. Did you end up going to Tokyo to the English/Japanese service??? How was. How’s the Nihongo lessons going. Keep the blogging coming, loving the nautical pictures as well, takes me right back there.God Bless Don. Love Rob
yes…many exciting adventures still to come…Tattoo Convention in Tokyo and Horiyoshi has guest appearnce tattooing his son. The organisers asked for this…will blog!!!!
have you considered your CFS connected to your relationship with pagan/Shinto/tattooing ?
you cannot make up your own ‘spiritual rules’ and think you won’t be burnt / suffer consequences
Lev 19:28 Ye shall not make any cuttings in your flesh for the dead, nor print any marks upon you: I am the LORD.
2Co 6:14 Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath light with darkness?
2Co 6:15 And what concord hath Christ with Belial?
Jay I know what you’re saying and I appreciate your comments. I think when it comes to Leviticus there are rules that are eternal like no sodomy etc, rules that are ceremonial that we don’t observe today and rules that are interpretive. The pagan tribes around Israel would cut their flesh, worship the sun and moon and idols and so on. Tattooing today can be very beautiful and we have the modern gear, although the Japanese tebori tattoo dudes using hand-poke tools could do an amazing job, but its slower and more painful I’ve been told. To me its a personal choice but yeah, there are a lot of demonic icons and evil inspirations in the tattooing world. My personal view is that its OK if you do it for beauty and don’t get into the demonic and pagan icons. Donald
Awesome blog Nice tattoos.
I have been a fan of Horiyoshi III for about 4 years now and own multiple books of his. I am Constantly studying his work. Great reference material you have here I love it. I have been wanting a bodysuit of his of for some time now and will make the journey when i have the finances. When I learned a while back he was not taking new customers i was disappointed until i learned his son is carrying the legacy and realized getting tattooed by his son will help bring this work into another generation.
If the Benkei pictured on your back is him younger and if my knowledge is correct i believe he was called Oniwakamaru as a child.
I am not sure if you will get this in time but could you ask Horiyoshi III what the green plants with your Goldfish (kingyo) are called in japanese. It would be much appreciated. My email is risuirezumi@yahoo.com.
You should check out this blog on a similar story
http://www.needlesandsins.com/2010/04/guest-blog-how-horiyoshi-iii-designed-my-bodysuit.html