Japanese tattoos : history, culture, design

Japanese tattoos History, culture, design

Brian Ashcraft

Book - 2016

"Thinking of getting a Japanese-style tattoo? Want to avoid a permanent mistake? Japanese Tattoos is an insider's look at the world of Japanese "irezumi" (tattoos). It will explain the imagery featured in Japanese tattoos so that readers can avoid getting ink they don't understand or, worse, that they'll regret. The photo-heavy book will also trace the history of Japanese tattooing, putting the iconography and kanji symbols in their proper context so readers will be better informed as to what they mean and have a deeper understanding of irezumi. Tattoos featured will range from traditional "tebori" (hand-poked) and kanji tattoos to anime-inspired and modern works--as well as everything in between. For... the first time, Japanese tattooing will be put together in a visually attractive, informative, and authoritative way. Packed with photos of tattoos, Japanese Tattoos will also feature interviews with Japanese tattoo artists on a variety of topics. What's more, there will be interviews with clients, who are typically overlooked in similar books, allowing them to discuss what their Japanese tattoos mean to them. Those who read the book will be better informed about Japanese tattoos should they want to get inked or if they are simply interested in Japanese culture and art"--

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Subjects
Tattooing > Japan > History.
Body adornment.
Body modification.
Tattoos.
Japan > Social life and customs.
Published
Tokyo ; Rutland, Vermont ; Singapore : Tuttle Publishing [2016]
Language
English
Main Author
Brian Ashcraft (author)
Other Authors
Hori Benny (author)
Physical Description
158 pages : illustrations (chiefly color) ; 26 cm
Bibliography
Includes bibliographical references.
ISBN
9784805313510
Contents unavailable.
Review by Library Journal Review

Coauthors Ashcraft (Wired magazine, Popular Science, among others) and Benny (tattoo artist and owner of Invasion Club, Osaka, Japan), two expat Americans living in Japan, have written a book that covers Japanese tattooing. They explore its traditions and long history and then delve into conventional themes commonly seen in Japanese ink-everything from kanji (words and phrases) to nature-based designs, animals both mythical and real, as well as gods, demons, and more human-based forms. Each theme exploration includes a wealth of pictures of various artists' takes on, for example, the lotus blossom, as well potential tattoo meanings and connections with nontattoo culture and art. The authors also interview several well-known tattoo artists currently working in Japan, consider the tattooed bodysuit, and even include a few unorthodox works by regional creators. VERDICT The tone is light, the images are beautiful, and the content is informative. This nice introduction to Japanese skin art is for tattoo enthusiasts, Japanophiles, and ink lovers in general.--Amelia Osterud, Carroll Univ. Lib., Waukesha, WI © Copyright 2016. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.

(c) Copyright Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.

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