Lance

I actually screwed up. After my session being tattooed on me bum, I went straight to a bar to hang out with friends all night instead of doing my typical post shower tattoo care bit. By the time I got home I didn't feel like a shower, actually left the shameful drunken trail of clothes from door to bed. Passed out, and the next morning forgot to be careful and didn't realize my boxers and butt became one. Needless to say I pulled out some of the ink and might need the side re-worked now. It really bummed me out. So don't do what I did and I think you'll be fine. You WILL be sitting lopsided for a couple days later though.

Oh yeah! Niiiice! What are you getting? My Oda Nobunaga backpiece is by Jill as well. She's been shading background for a while now, packing in that black. I remember the outlining being unpleaseant as she moved from the small of my back down lower during 1 session, but when she outlined the actual cheek in a subsequent session I don't remember it being that bad. I mean it hurt, but not as bad as I thought it would. Shading didn't really bother me at all. I hope my words don't come back to bite me on the ass in future sessions Though (head smack! Thwap!!!) ;-)

What @Stewart Robson said. Since you have a water theme going on, another koi would tie in really well. If you don't want to double up, maybe kingyo would work too. Some people get dragon-koi. Basically listen to Stewart though with regards to coherence. Best advice.

Those are the ones by Yokohama Horiken and Mike Rubendall. There is one more I can recollect on a Horizakura bodysuit. Unfortunately I can't remember the site name. Not much help I'm afraid...

I read this in the "Scottish Tattoo History" Thread. Thought it might be interesting to add here. "Around the 1950's there was part-time tattooist who worked in Glasgow's famous Barras market called 'Dirty Dick'. Very little is known about him other that the fact that he worked in the back of a shop in the Spoutmouth area of the market that also sold pornographic magazines. It is this line of merchandise that earned him his nickname and not the fact that he worked under filthy conditions when tattooing as previously thought."

Good on you @Iwar! Living the good life. I think everyone here is pretty much envious of your travels last year and now. Can't wait to see what escapades come next!

There's actually a really nice inverted cross chest piece on Alexander Grim's Instagram profile. I'm not sure if it's the stereotypical satanic reference, but I'm going to guess it's more in reference to St. Peter...cuz well, he's located in St. Petersburg. It's kind of medieval with a dragon framing it. I've no idea how to post an Instagram pic to this forum but his profile is: alexandergrim

So I've been curious about people's attitudes in regards to this for a while, for discussion's sake, what constitutes a traditional Japanese tattoo to any of you? What makes it "Traditional" Japanese as opposed to just plain Japanese style? What makes it traditional "enough"? Is it the following of the rules? The use of hand tools? The "hori" title? The artist's ethnicity (kind of like sushi chef bias, you all know what I'm talking about)? Sticking to classic japanese subjects used 200 years ago like the dragon, ho-o, hannya, warrior prints, etc., when does it go from Japanese to traditional japanese? Does it become traditional "enough" when: - the artist is Japanese, born and bred, and knows the stories but the caveat being they use a machine and have no title? -How about the person given a title by a master but never formally apprenticed? And if so, those given a title because a master felt they deserved a title vs those who seek out a master to legitimize them? -What about if the artist is non-Japanese but knows the stories and gives him/herself a title and goes a little native by wearing kimonos and chanting sutras? Is that still traditional at heart, if he tries and follows the "rules" to the best of their studies? Or is it only traditional for you when a person is formally apprenticed by a master and given a title and tattoos by hand? So that's the artist training/knowledge aspect, but what about the visual aspect? Do you only consider it traditional if it maintains that flat woodblock effect? What about complexity of subject in relation to background? When does it become too complex? Too simple? Some purists have said Horiyoshi III is not truly traditional. So what makes a tattoo traditional? What makes the person traditional? I'm just curious what others have to say. Me? By now I think it's known that I get tattooed in the US by a Jewish girl originally from New York. I think her work and knowledge is pretty traditional. "Enough" for me anyway. And my own backpiece? While not traditionally based off a specific woodblock print or a classical story or noh/kabuki play, it is based off of a historical figure and the image is loosely referencing a more contemporary painting rather than print (although very loosely). Those references are enough for me to consider it pretty traditional too. Then there's the flatness/detail level/composition of the work. All were...well you get the point. That's me. What about you now? What about a piece or artist is there that it makes it "enough" to be considered traditional? Oh and this question completely excludes the Chris O'donnells and Mike Rubendalls who freely admit they take it so far, then go their own route and do not consider themselves traditional Japanese tattoo artists or consider their work traditional. Also I'm definitely not saying "traditional" is better than more contemporary styles. Just a question given this posting and past ones where legitimacy vs. gimmick have been discussed.

I'm ethnically Japanese. On behalf of my people, I give you a pass. Enjoy your tattoo :-) Actually it's funny because as I understand and simplify it, there was one point in history when it was illegal for Japanese people to get tattoos. The only people that could get the old school japanese style tattoo work from Japanese tattooists without the Government freaking out were the foreigners. So if you want to get really old school about it, you're continuing tradition. Ha ha. Have fun, get what you want, make yourself happy.

I was at SOG last week so I got the chance to see Taki's copy. It's pretty sweet! It comes across like an old yearbook of sorts with photos of people (and their work), whom he's met over the years. Most artists, but a couple who have supported tattoos in their own way. More than just random tattoo pictures. It was people who he's come to know, admire, and make lasting friendships with. It was really cool cause when I was there everyone at the shop saw it and were laughing.

@slayer9019 if you go and get something by all means you've got to post a picture!

That was very cool. Great music too. I have to say I laughed my ass off at the end where Tony makes reference to a conversation with a client: Client, "I want a tiger! But I don't want it to look mean." Tony,"...Then don't get a tiger!" Ha ha! Also,"Well if you really look, it's not a mean tiger.". I'm really loving these episodes.

That is absolutely BADASS!!! Fuuuuuuuuuck, just bad freakin ass!!! Good Lord!

The back! The back!

Thomas Hooper did one hell of an acanthas (sp?) leaf lion's head on someone's ribs. AWESOME! It's on his blog, hopefully this link takes you to the right image. You'll have to scroll down the page for a bit. Hoopers Electric – Meditations in Atrament

Thanks! It's slowly progressing. I think it's going to be pretty crazy when finished. The background is still in the outline phase so it'll be a while. It's funny though. Before starting to get tattoos, 2 of my rules were 1) I didn't want to be that "guy" with the strategically placed dragon tattoo who thought he was a tough badass and 2) nothing gory and disturbing. Now I have a dragon sleeve and namakubi on my butt and thigh. Oh yeah, a 3rd rule was not to get my bum tattooed. Oops! Ha ha! Well what can you do when you ask your artist for suggestions. What pairs well with a Phoenix? Oh a Dragon, done! What compliments one of the most infamous samurai in history, charging on horseback, swinging his sword around? Decapitated heads, go for it! It all made sense and I'm pretty damn happy!

This is ridiculous! I had to squint, twist my head sideways, smoke a huuuge bowl, and stare at the shirt for an hour. When that didn't work, 'shrooms man. 'Shrooms. That's when I think I saw the swastikas. But I was actually more concerned with the 100 +'s chasing after me for not going to midnight mass.

Nice! Yet another blog to follow. Thanks!

First off I write way too much!!! Sorry. Anyway, my consult setup has definitely changed as I've collected new tattoos. Mind you, I've only been tattooed by one artist so my trust and faith is pretty high. For my first tattoo I was pretty specific what I wanted. Not necessarily clinging to a sketch but rather brought in samples of pieces similar to how I wanted the tattoo to flow on my arm and also specified details of what I'd liked in other tattoos my Artist had done of the same subject. I had a very clear image in my mind and in hindsight it may have left her little freedom. Subsequent pieces, like the piece on my leg and my back piece, I've loosened up and only told Jill (Bonny) the subject matter/location and then she'd go to town in creating something. Or in the case of my right sleeve, rather than even specifying a subject, I've asked for her suggestions on what would pair off well with the left. By the time the left was finished I just ran with it. I agree with everyone regarding seeing stencils for the first time too. For my back, I specified the subject Oda Nobunaga. Having been happy with all her previous work, I was vague with her for the very purpose of wanting to see what she would come up with. When the time came to start the piece, upon seeing the stencil I was not disappointed. During the consult, we'd arrived at a rough idea of what would be cool, but later she turned it on it's head and came up with something that was completely different but embodied what I'd wanted even better. Now that we're expanding and adding background to it, she suggested what she thinks will work and I just follow along having faith in her experience and vision for what she has planned. After all, I'm not the artist, she is. Besides, even if I wasn't rusty at drawing, I certainly haven't designed a back piece before, right! I just had a session this past Thursday where she added a pair of namakubi (decapitated heads) to the back of my right thigh. She set about applying the stencil and went to work. I didn't even see the tattoo or placement until I got home. Jill had shown me the stencil of one of the heads prior to starting so I had an idea what was being placed but I would have ran with it even if I hadn't.

Wow, really? I couldn't tell if this article was about an attempted assassination or an article over a person's tattoos. Stupidity.

Yes! That was a definite jaw dropping, "WTF!", moment for me. Dang! :-O

Recent books on specific artists I really enjoyed were Iron Will by Grime and the Shige book published by SOG. Ones which dealt with various artists, Bloodwork:Bodies & Sleeves by Adrian Lee, Underway Is the Only Way by Grime and Horitaka, and Tattoo Artist: A Collection Of Narratives by Jill Mandelbaum. All excellent. There was also another book published by Adrian Lee before the Bloodwork books which rocks, but I can't remember the name at the moment. I'm trying to figure out a way I can get my hands on Tomas Tomas's new book too.

Ha ha! I think that's why when you introduced yourself to me at the convention, you looked instantly familiar to me. 10-20 minutes earlier I was at Analog's booth soaking in the images, and I probably saw your head shot.

Ha ha! I never linked the two together before. I think you may be on to something though. I had both my arms done with variations between none and mild enough to be annoyed itching. My back, I didn't have any real issues with. But the piece on my leg? If I remember right, that took a couple weeks longer to heal AND it itched like crazy!

I have a friend who has an all white tattoo on her wrist and she regrets it. My friend doesn't regret having a tattoo but as Shmitty said, it looks like a scar so when people see it they think she's into cutting herself or something of that sort.