73-Year-Old Tattoo Artist Is A Legend In Japan

Horiyoshi III is a celebrated full-body tattoo artist renowned for his exceptional skills in the art of irezumi. His studio, situated in the city of Yokohama, is a hidden gem that attracts a loyal clientele from all over the world. The history of Japanese tattooing can be traced back to 10,000 BC, and the Japanese government banned tattoos in 1872 due to their association with criminality. The ban was lifted in 1948, but tattoos still retain their criminal image in Japan.

Yoshihito’s clients are typically covered in full-body designs that stop at the wrist and ankle, where skin would show when wearing a traditional kimono. He uses various techniques, including tebori, which involves inserting ink into the skin using a needle-tipped wooden or metal stick. However, due to health and time constraints, he now completes tattoos using an electric needle. Despite his international following on Instagram, Yoshihito wants to maintain the traditional generational structure of the Horiyoshi. A tattoo in Japan costs up to 15,000 yen per hour, but Yoshihito’s designs are more expensive.

Key Takeaways

Horiyoshi III is a renowned full-body tattoo artist with a loyal clientele from all over the world.
The history of Japanese tattooing dates back to 10,000 BC, and tattoos were banned in Japan in 1872 due to their association with criminality.
Yoshihito uses various techniques, including tebori, but now completes tattoos using an electric needle, and his designs are more expensive than the average cost of a tattoo in Japan.

Horiyoshi III

Horiyoshi III is a renowned full-body-tattoo artist, whose real name is Yoshihito Nakano. He inherited the title Horiyoshi, which means “to carve or engrave.” His studio is located in Yokohama, a 30-minute train ride from Tokyo, hidden away in an anonymous-looking building.

The history of Japanese tattooing, or irezumi, dates back to the Jomon period around 10,000 BC. However, the Japanese government banned tattoos in 1872 due to their association with criminality, even though they had risen as an art form. The ban was not lifted until 1948, but the practice still retains its image of criminality.

Yoshihito’s most devoted clientele are those who are covered in full-body designs that stop sharply at the wrist and ankle, where skin would show when wearing a traditional kimono. There are different types of designs, such as hikae, nagasode, shichibu, gobu, and donburi soshinbori.

Until 30 years ago, Yoshihito did his tattoos entirely by hand using the tebori technique, where a needle-tipped wooden or metal stick inserts ink into the skin. However, due to health and time constraints, he now completes them freehand using an electric needle.

Yoshihito wants to keep the traditional generational structure of the Horiyoshi. Even though the majority of his clients are now foreign visitors, he has a large international following on Instagram. It’s worth noting that a tattoo in Japan can cost up to 15,000 yen per hour, or $140, but Yoshihito’s designs are more expensive.

Studio Location

Horiyoshi III’s studio is located in Yokohama, a city that is a 30-minute train ride from Tokyo. The studio is hidden away in an anonymous-looking building. Horiyoshi III is one of the world’s most legendary full-body-tattoo artists. His given name is Yoshihito Nakano, but he inherited the title Horiyoshi, which is derived from the word “hori,” meaning “to carve or engrave.”

The Japanese government banned tattoos in 1872, as while the practice had risen as an art form, tattooed marks were still used as a punishment. The ban wasn’t lifted until 1948, but the practice has retained its image of criminality. For many years, traditional Japanese tattoos were associated with the yakuza, Japan’s Mafia, and some businesses in Japan and public baths still ban tattooed customers.

Yoshihito’s most devoted clientele are covered in full-body designs. These stop sharply at the wrist and ankle, where skin would show when wearing a traditional kimono. There’s also the hikae, a chest panel to sleeve, nagasode, a full sleeve to the wrist, and shorter sleeves, shichibu and gobu. Donburi soshinbori is a full-body tattoo without the line down the center of the chest.

Until 30 years ago, Yoshihito did his tattoos entirely by hand using the tebori technique, where a needle-tipped wooden or metal stick inserts ink into the skin. Nowadays, due to health and time constraints, he completes them freehand using an electric needle. Yoshihito wants to keep the traditional generational structure of the Horiyoshi. The majority of Yoshihito’s clients are now foreign visitors, and he has a large international following on Instagram.

A tattoo in Japan costs up to 15,000 yen per hour, or $140, but Yoshihito’s designs are more expensive.

History of Irezumi

Irezumi, the traditional Japanese tattooing, has a controversial history that can be traced back to around 10,000 BC, in the Jomon period. The word “irezumi” means “inserting ink under the skin” and is derived from the words “ire” meaning “insert” and “zumi” meaning “ink”.

In 1872, the Japanese government banned tattoos as they were associated with punishment and criminality. The ban was lifted in 1948, but the practice retained its image of criminality. Traditional Japanese tattoos were associated with the yakuza, Japan’s Mafia, and some businesses and public baths still ban tattooed customers.

Horiyoshi III is one of the world’s most legendary full-body-tattoo artists. His given name is Yoshihito Nakano, but he inherited the title Horiyoshi, which is derived from the word “hori,” meaning “to carve or engrave.” His most devoted clientele are covered in full-body designs that stop sharply at the wrist and ankle, where skin would show when wearing a traditional kimono.

There are several types of traditional Japanese tattoos, including the hikae, a chest panel to sleeve, nagasode, a full sleeve to the wrist, and shorter sleeves, shichibu and gobu. Donburi soshinbori is a full-body tattoo without the line down the center of the chest.

Until 30 years ago, Horiyoshi III did his tattoos entirely by hand using the tebori technique, where a needle-tipped wooden or metal stick inserts ink into the skin. Nowadays, due to health and time constraints, he completes them freehand using an electric needle.

Horiyoshi III wants to keep the traditional generational structure of the Horiyoshi. The majority of his clients are now foreign visitors, and he has a large international following on Instagram. A tattoo in Japan costs up to 15,000 yen per hour, or $140, but Horiyoshi III’s designs are more expensive.

Criminality and Tattooing

Japanese tattoos, or irezumi, have a controversial history that can be traced back to around 10,000 BC in the Jomon period. The government banned tattoos in 1872, as they were still used as a punishment, despite the practice having risen as an art form. The ban wasn’t lifted until 1948, but the practice has retained its image of criminality. For many years, traditional Japanese tattoos were associated with the yakuza, Japan’s Mafia, and some businesses in Japan and public baths still ban tattooed customers.

Despite this negative image, Horiyoshi III, one of the world’s most legendary full-body-tattoo artists, has a devoted clientele who are covered in full-body designs. These designs stop sharply at the wrist and ankle, where skin would show when wearing a traditional kimono. There are also various types of sleeves, such as hikae, nagasode, shichibu, and gobu, as well as donburi soshinbori, which is a full-body tattoo without the line down the center of the chest.

Yoshihito, who inherited the title Horiyoshi, wants to keep the traditional generational structure of the Horiyoshi. Until 30 years ago, he did his tattoos entirely by hand using the tebori technique, where a needle-tipped wooden or metal stick inserts ink into the skin. Nowadays, due to health and time constraints, he completes them freehand using an electric needle. Yoshihito’s most devoted clientele are now foreign visitors, and he has a large international following on Instagram.

It is worth noting that a tattoo in Japan can cost up to 15,000 yen per hour, or $140, but Yoshihito’s designs are more expensive. Despite the high cost, Yoshihito’s clients are willing to pay for his expertise and the unique cultural significance of a traditional Japanese tattoo.

Clientele and Tattoo Types

Horiyoshi III’s clientele is primarily made up of foreign visitors, with a large international following on Instagram. Yoshihito’s most devoted clientele are covered in full-body designs, which stop sharply at the wrist and ankle, where skin would show when wearing a traditional kimono. There are various tattoo types that Yoshihito specializes in, including:

Hikae: a chest panel to sleeve
Nagasode: a full sleeve to the wrist
Shichibu: a shorter sleeve
Gobu: a shorter sleeve
Donburi soshinbori: a full-body tattoo without the line down the center of the chest

Until 30 years ago, Yoshihito did his tattoos entirely by hand using the tebori technique, where a needle-tipped wooden or metal stick inserts ink into the skin. Nowadays, due to health and time constraints, he completes them freehand using an electric needle. A tattoo in Japan costs up to 15,000 yen per hour, or $140, but Yoshihito’s designs are more expensive. Traditional Japanese tattoos were associated with the yakuza, Japan’s Mafia, and some businesses in Japan and public baths still ban tattooed customers.

Tattoo Techniques

Horiyoshi III is a renowned full-body tattoo artist who specializes in traditional Japanese tattoos. His studio is located in Yokohama, Japan, and he has a large international following on Instagram. Horiyoshi III’s tattoos are known for their intricate designs and the use of traditional techniques.

Horiyoshi III’s most devoted clientele are covered in full-body designs. These stop sharply at the wrist and ankle, where skin would show when wearing a traditional kimono. There are also different types of sleeve tattoos, such as hikae, nagasode, shichibu, and gobu. Another type of tattoo is donburi soshinbori, which is a full-body tattoo without the line down the center of the chest.

The cost of a tattoo in Japan can range up to 15,000 yen per hour, or $140, but Horiyoshi III’s designs are more expensive. Despite the controversial history of Japanese tattooing, or irezumi, Horiyoshi III continues to keep the traditional generational structure of the Horiyoshi and attracts a diverse clientele from around the world.

Generational Structure

Horiyoshi III is committed to preserving the traditional generational structure of the Horiyoshi. He is one of the most renowned full-body-tattoo artists worldwide, and his clients are mainly foreign visitors. The generational structure is a traditional system in which a master artist passes down his skills and knowledge to his apprentice, who then becomes a master and continues the tradition. This system is essential for the preservation of the traditional Japanese tattooing techniques.

Yoshihito’s devotion to the generational structure is evident in his studio, where he trains his apprentices in the traditional tebori technique. In the past, he used to do his tattoos entirely by hand, but due to health and time constraints, he now uses an electric needle. However, he still insists on preserving the traditional techniques and passing them down to his apprentices.

Yoshihito’s studio is located in Yokohama, a 30-minute train ride from Tokyo, and his clientele is covered in full-body designs. These designs stop sharply at the wrist and ankle, where skin would show when wearing a traditional kimono. There are also different types of sleeves, including nagasode, a full sleeve to the wrist, and shorter sleeves, shichibu and gobu. Donburi soshinbori is a full-body tattoo without the line down the center of the chest.

Although traditional Japanese tattoos were associated with the yakuza, Japan’s Mafia, and were banned by the government until 1948, they have retained their image of criminality. Some businesses in Japan and public baths still ban tattooed customers. However, Yoshihito’s clientele is mostly foreign visitors, and he has a large international following on Instagram. A tattoo in Japan costs up to 15,000 yen per hour, or $140, but Yoshihito’s designs are more expensive.

International Influence

Horiyoshi III, one of the most renowned full-body-tattoo artists in the world, has gained a large international following on Instagram. While the majority of his clients were once Japanese, he now sees more foreign visitors seeking his traditional Japanese tattoos. Yoshihito’s designs are highly sought after and more expensive than the average tattoo in Japan, costing up to 15,000 yen per hour or $140.

The controversial history of Japanese tattooing, or irezumi, can be traced back to around 10,000 BC, in the Jomon period. Despite being banned by the Japanese government in 1872 due to its association with criminality, the practice has retained its appeal as an art form. For many years, traditional Japanese tattoos were associated with the yakuza, Japan’s Mafia, and some businesses in Japan and public baths still ban tattooed customers.

Yoshihito’s most devoted clientele are covered in full-body designs, which stop sharply at the wrist and ankle, where skin would show when wearing a traditional kimono. There are also various sleeve designs, such as the hikae, nagasode, shichibu, and gobu, as well as the donburi soshinbori, a full-body tattoo without the line down the center of the chest.

Until 30 years ago, Yoshihito did his tattoos entirely by hand using the tebori technique, where a needle-tipped wooden or metal stick inserts ink into the skin. Nowadays, he completes them freehand using an electric needle due to health and time constraints. Despite this change, he still wants to keep the traditional generational structure of the Horiyoshi.

Cost of Tattoos

Yoshihito Nakano, also known as Horiyoshi III, is a renowned full-body tattoo artist based in Yokohama, Japan. His tattoos are highly sought after by both locals and foreign visitors. The cost of a tattoo in Japan can range up to 15,000 yen per hour, or $140, but Horiyoshi III’s designs are more expensive.

Traditionally, Japanese tattoos were associated with the yakuza, Japan’s Mafia, and were viewed as a symbol of criminality. As a result, some businesses in Japan, including public baths, still ban tattooed customers. However, the ban on tattoos was lifted in 1948, and the practice has evolved into an art form.

Horiyoshi III’s most devoted clientele are covered in full-body designs, which stop sharply at the wrist and ankle to avoid showing skin when wearing a traditional kimono. There are different types of tattoos, including hikae, nagasode, shichibu, gobu, and donburi soshinbori, which is a full-body tattoo without the line down the center of the chest.

Horiyoshi III’s clientele is now predominantly made up of foreign visitors, and he has a large international following on Instagram. The cost of his tattoos is more expensive than the average price in Japan due to his renowned expertise and unique designs.