CONTENTS
EXPLORING JAPAN’S TATTOOING TRADITION
What Doe “Irezumi” Mean?
An Ancient Tradition
Becoming a Horishi
A Lifestyle Choice
Underground Tattoo Culture
Tattoo Prohibition
No Tattoos Allowed
Inked Royals
The Rise of One-Point Tattoos
Why Japanese Tattoos Changed
About This Book
The Birth of the Machine
Tattooist Profile Horiyoshi III
Pledge Tattoos
Written Japanese
Mottoes and Mantras
How to Get a Good Kanji Tattoo
Ancient Bonji Characters
The Tebori Tradition
Tattooist Profile Yutaro Sakai
Client Profile Hidaddy
The Colors of Irezumi
Nature Motifs
Cherry Blossoms
Plum Blossoms
Peonies
The Lotus Flower
Ikebana and Tattooing
Chrysanthemums
Hanafuda Playing Cards
Maple Leaves
Kimono Motifs
Pine Trees
Bamboo
Wind and Water
Rocks and Earth
Fire
The Sun
The Rising Sun Flag Symbol
Tattooist Profile Gakkin
Client Profile Jean-Marc
Foxes
Dragons
Three Claws or More?
The Phoenix
The Phoenix vs. the Vermilion Bird
The Kirin
Different Cultures, Different Meanings
Maneki Neko: The Lucky Cat
Tigers
Guardian Lions and Guardian Dogs
The Koi Fish
Fishy Puns
The Octopus
Cranes
Crows
Falcons and Hawks
Snakes
Butterflies
Spiders
Tattooist Profile Horimasa
Client Profile Makoto
GODS AND GUARDIANS, HEROES AND DEMONS
Gods and Guardians
Kannon
Dainichi
Benzaiten
Bishamonten
Daikokuten
Amida
The Monk Daruma
Ebisu
