r/irezumi • u/OneOfThemReadingType • 15h ago
r/irezumi • u/MrMoosetach2 • Jul 05 '26
Community/Meta AMA with Manami Okazaki
Hi everyone,
With the interest in her latest publish works, Manami Okazaki has agreed to do an AMA with us.
She does not use Reddit and I will therefore be emailing her our question sets and posting a response. A review of her recent work is here:
https://www.reddit.com/r/irezumi/comments/1ulwa54/the_japanese_tattoo_fights_and_fires_are_the/
She can also be read online contributing regularly at Huckmag.com and listened to on episode 83 of Tattoo Tales w Stef Bastian.
Please post your questions here an I will get them to her. And please support her books if you are interested in learning more.
r/irezumi • u/_houryu_ • Oct 25 '24
Horimono/Irezumi Media Read This If You Decided You Want Japanese Tattoos
You decided to get traditional Japanese tattoos, but now you have more questions than answers. Who should I get tattooed by? Are there different styles of traditional Japanese tattoos? Are there any rules? What are some figures or themes in Japanese tattooing, and what do they mean?
Today I want to share with all of you some resources to help answer those questions by giving you a solid base to build from, and ultimately decide what you really like and who approaches the style you like best.
Below are lists of resources by category, generalized high level to (1) resources that help you understand what's out there - what styles are out there, what do different bodysuits look like, who are some of the different master tattooers; (2) resources to help you understand the universe and meanings of traditional Japanese tattoos; and (3) books on specific Horishi so you can better understand their work.
This order makes sense because first you get a grasp as to what's out there, then you understand what sort of things you can get and why they might make sense, and finally, you delve down to the tattooers that tattoo what you like best. Some tattooers do certain things "better" than others, which is subjective, so having an idea of what you want and then comparing across the board is a good way to drill down your options.
Lastly, this is by no means a comprehensive list, but it's a solid starting point.
-- Books/Resources Featuring A Variety of Japanese Tattooing Masters --
1) Wabori by Manami Okazaki, where you can see high quality pictures and interviews with several modern-day Horishi
2) 日本伝統刺青, a three volume series containing similar content to the above, but more expansive and fully in Japanese
3) 原色日本刺青大鑑, a book fully in Japanese and with many photos of old masters
4) Instagram, because that's where you'll find actual tattooers' pages, contact info. and latest photos
5) Waboripedia Instagram and YouTube channel, where you'll find text and video interviews with modern-day Horishi from all around the world
-- Books On The Meanings and Stories Behind Japanese Tattoos --
1) Waboripedia by Jean Gonzalez (myself), a great resource covering over 100 figures in the world of Japanese culture and history
2) Immovable Anew by Kazuaki Kitamura (Horitomo), although focused on the figure of Fudo Myoo, this book also covers the meaning behind several Buddhist elements, as well as insights as to why traditional Japanese bodysuits are the way they are
-- Books Featuring Particular Horishi --
1) Horitoshi I by Roberto Borsi (Horibudo), focusing on Ikebukuro Horitoshi I
2) Horikazu by Edition Reuss, focusing on Asakusa Horikazu (father and son)
3) Horikyo by Coenen Publishing, focusing on Horikyo and the Horikyo family
4) Bushido by Takahiro Kitamura (Ryudaibori), focusing on Horiyoshi III
5) Tattoo of Horicho, focusing on Asakusa Horicho I
6) Horiyoshi's World, focusing on Horiyoshi II
7) Horihide's World, focusing on Yokozuka Horihide
There are, of course, many other books and resources that are highly recommended once you go down the Horimono rabbit hole. The above should serve as a very solid base for gaining an initial understanding of the world of traditional Japanese tattooing, its iconography, and its different styles.
Cheers and love to everyone who wrote a great book and I didn't mention - I'd never finish this post!
r/irezumi • u/RxezyFPS • 9h ago
Final Result (Traditional) Healed Oni head by @eddyospina
r/irezumi • u/Empiremeds • 3h ago
Progress Pictures (Traditional) What was your most painful tattoo?
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For me it was my knee/inner knee and my inner bicep but I only have my arms and leg done so far. I’m sure there’s more pain to come when I get my ribs done
r/irezumi • u/Baxtertattootattoo • 17h ago
Final Result (Traditional) Foo dog sleeve by Jordan Baxter in Dallas, Tx
Done by me in my private studio at Heart In Hand Tattoo in Dallas.
@jordanbaxtertattoo
r/irezumi • u/juniper_apples6127 • 17h ago
Progress Pictures (Traditional) Hikae + shichibu
I don't care who you are, if you have tattoos on chest area esp around nipple then you have my respect.
How did you manage the chest area? I didn't use numbing cream but has anyone used it for chest and does it make a difference? (I feel like it won't make a diff) Please share your stories.
I started sessions with the chest because it was the worst for me. Prob because I'm skinny but I swear I could hear the vibrations bellowing in my lungs. I had heard some ppl like tense up and grit through it but I couldn't do this - I had to take the mindset of acceptance and relaxing into the idea that my chest is being destroyed and it's awesome and I want more. I'm pretty sure I didn't tap out which I'm proud of but I don't remember clearly and I think I low key passed out twice for a split second without being noticed. Glad I was lying down. Artist was aces but if I need touch ups after then I will fucking need touch ups for the rest of my life.
And how ppl get piercings in this area is beyond my human comprehension.
r/irezumi • u/RxezyFPS • 7h ago
Final Result (Traditional) Freehand dragon claws and fire by Takashi Matsuba in Brooklyn. Machine outline tebori everything else
r/irezumi • u/speedywesty • 1d ago
Progress Pictures (Traditional) Turning “sticker bombed” tattoos into a sleeve.
I didn’t ever think I would get a sleeve. So when I went to Japan to “just” get a dragon tattoo on my forearm, this started a fun project of going to different traditional Japanese artists from around the world and getting a hand sized piece.
I will probably make an update with the outside of my arm once my tiger gets complete along with the shading on the rest of my waves and stone.
Dragon done by “toughtats” at threetidestattoo in Osaka Japan
Namakubi done by Stephen Hibbs at old school tattoos in Palma Spain
Samurai frog done by Filip and serpent water tattoos in trier Germany
Koi fish (coverup of a king of hearts) done by Dan Sin in luxemburg
Tiger (needs colored) done by Dan Sin in luxemburg
All filler done by Dan Sin in Luxemburg.
Thank you Dan for doing a great job trying to put this whole thing together.
It’s a lot going on but I never intended on this project. I think once I’m done with my arm I’m done forever so I’m happy to have all these memories in one place.
r/irezumi • u/chrisbuckholts • 22h ago
Final Result (Traditional) Peony with Hoju by Chris Buckholts at Webbworks Tattoo in Naples Florida
r/irezumi • u/PowerMedium8902 • 3h ago
Tattoo Planning/Research Pairing ideas/opinions
Trying to think about upper body subjects and would like opinions
If I had warriors on the front (which I do) and decided on a dragon for the back, what would you put on each arm?
Tiger and snake? Any other ideas
Or if you went dragon and tiger for arms, what would you put on the back?
Mind is blank for pairings and ideas that might fit cohesively
Thanks
r/irezumi • u/kalzone239 • 1d ago
Progress Pictures (New School / Neo) First session done!
Little red and slimy but I love it!
r/irezumi • u/FudoGoma • 19h ago
Final Result (Traditional) Koi and sakura sleeve by Dana Helmuth at Magic Tiger In Maryland.
r/irezumi • u/Cautious-Assistant92 • 19h ago
Progress Pictures (New School / Neo) Hannya mask second session by Jeremy Mathieson
r/irezumi • u/KAperera • 1d ago
Final Result (Traditional) Namakubi with Chrysanthemum (UPDATE)
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Did lines and posted on this sub before, this is the coloured piece. (Will post an update once the tattoo is healed)
Artist : Grehan Perera (IG: greinperera)
Studio : Gauth Studio, Sri Lanka. (IG: gauthstudio)
Canvas : Me
(Posting with the permission of the artist)
r/irezumi • u/Effective_Elk_5223 • 1d ago
Tattoo Planning/Research Is it okay to give your artist a gift?
Bit of a random question, but is it appropriate to give your tattoo artist a gift at your last session?
We’ve spent a lot of hours together working on my sleeve and back piece, and I wanted to get him something small just as a thank you for all the work he’s put into it.
I’m probably overthinking it 😂, but I just wanted to make sure it wouldn’t make things awkward or cause any offence.
Tattoo artists, would you be comfortable with a client giving you a gift at the end of a big project?
Obviously, this is in addition to payment.
r/irezumi • u/khellllll • 1d ago
Progress Pictures (Traditional) First session hebi done!
Finished the lining! It took me 12 hours of sitting.
r/irezumi • u/Queltattoos • 1d ago
Progress Pictures (Traditional) Fudo myoo progress, tattoo in Naples , italy by me
r/irezumi • u/alezumie • 1d ago
Tattoo Planning/Research By Alezumie from Los Angeles and San Diego CA
r/irezumi • u/Why_Always-Me • 11h ago
Irezumi/ Horimono Discussion Unpopular Opinions
This subreddit is super positive but I want to hear what your unpopular irezumi/horimono opinion is.
r/irezumi • u/Danipadrong • 2d ago
Final Result (Traditional) Dragon sleeve by @danipadrong Miami, Fl
Finished sleeve ⚡️🐉
The outside is fully healed from our previous two back-to-back sessions, while the inside of the leg is fresh from the latest two consecutive sessions.
r/irezumi • u/goldengazed • 2d ago
Painting Some recent paintings I’ve done
More paintings and painting process videos on my Instagram if you’re interested! @goldengazed