The traditional word for tattoo in Japanese is "Horimono," which literally translates to "carved thing." This is derived from the old wood carvers who went on to become tattoo artists. The wood carvers traded in their carving tools for the long needles used to apply tattoos by hand. Many of these artists evolved into tattoo masters, creating a long history of art and culture.

The tattoo culture of Japan started as early as the 1700s, during the Edo period. The tattoo images were taken from traditional watercolor paintings, woodcuts and picture books of the time. The common people of the era, in an attempt to separate themselves from the upper classes, began to develop their own culture. All sorts of art became an outlet of cultural expression for the common people. They rejected the old morality of Confucian beliefs of the samurai and began taking up themes of duty, human experience and feeling, fashion and comedy.

Many working class people tattooed themselves like the heroes of the Suikoden. The folk story of Suikoden was about outlaws who defied the corrupt authorities and became protectors of the common people (an Eastern Robin Hood.) The Heroes in these tales wore elaborate tattoos of dragons, giant snakes, Chinese lions, and various religious figures. Everyone from civil servants to petty crooks longed to imitate the heroes of the Suikoden. The images popularized by the tales are still prevalent in the tattoos found in Japan today.

Tattooing has created a bond among the enthusiasts in Japan. Gatherings are common and there are records of tattooed people meeting formally as early as 1830. Today, conventions are common in Japan and the West, but Japan has a 150-year history of tattoo conventions indicating a rich, long tradition of the art. People who chose to be tattooed, however, limited themselves in some ways. In the past being tattooed was extremely frowned upon by the upper classes, forcing tattooed people to conceal their artwork. The public bathhouses and public swimming pools in Japan banned tattooed visitors. Today, tattooed people have created their own subculture and are able to display their art freely. The modern tattoo masters are highly esteemed, and many people travel to be tattooed by their favorite artists.

Japanese tattooing has been influential in one way or another to every tattoo artist who's ever seen it. In the '60s and '70s, sailor Jerry Collins and Don Ed Hardy meshed traditional Eastern & Western tattoos to create a unique new style. Today, the top artists in the world take elements from traditional Japanese tattooing and use them in their work, but the cultural differences between American and Japanese tattooing are still quite different.

East Vs. West

The Japanese style of tattoo is one of the most beautiful and sought after forms of art in the world. Many artists in Japan have truly perfected their style of tattooing, and often choose the design for the customer after talking with them. They do large designs, carefully planned and drawn exclusively for each customer. The idea of a customer walking into a studio, selecting a small design from a wall and getting it randomly placed on their body is practically unheard of in Japan, except in American-style parlors in bigger Japanese cities. The relationship between the tattoo master and the client is a long, committed one, involving many hours of planning and sometimes months or even years of tattooing.

In the West, as most of us know, the idea of tattoos or being tattooed is quite different. Almost all parlors display "flash" or generic designs for customers to choose from. These design sheets were originally made to show examples of the artists' work and allow choices for the customer, but they've become a realm all their own. Flash is now displayed as standard practice in all tattoo parlors in the West, and for many people, their first tattoo come from these designs (just think of how many people you know with a Tasmanian Devil tattoo). Eastern artists, however, usually provide only a book of their own designs that customers can get ideas from, but the images are never exactly duplicated. Western flash work changes the experience of being tattooed from a personal experience between master and client, as it is in Japan, to a mere private experience between vendor and customer.

Another difference between the two countries, until recently, was the tools used for tattooing. In the past, Japanese tattoos were done exclusively with hand tools, a small needle or group of needles pushed ink under the skin, prick after prick. This slow but hands on and personal method of tattooing was used in the West as well until 1891, when a man named O Riley invented the first electric tattoo machine (designed after an electric pen invented by Thomas Edison). This device made it possible to deliver tattoos at a much faster pace, keeping up with the faster ideals of Western industrialized nations. In Japan, though, the hand tooled tattoos hung on until recent years, when some masters started to use electric machines as well. Tebori (Japanese hand tattooing) artists switched to lining tattoos with machine and using the poke tools for shading and color. But while many Japanese artists work with machines, they still maintain the Eastern-style of work. Electric machines did not change the style of art, but it did increase efficiency. What used to take months or years to complete now takes much less time. But the experience of being tattooed by a Japanese master is still quite different from being tattooed by a Western artist.

East Meets West

Tattoo fans in the Tampa Bay area will soon have the opportunity to experience Japanese tattooing. In April 2002, three Japanese tattoo artists, or "Horis," will work locally at the Tampa Bay Tattoo Expo in Clearwater, the Full Throttle Florida Motorcycle Expo in Tampa, and at Atomic Tattoos in Central Pinellas. These Artists are HoriRyu and HoriShio of Iwate, Japan, and HoriHiro of Akita, Japan.

HoriRyu is in his early 30s and has been tattooing for about five years. He's self-taught, and exclusively does traditional Japanese style using electric machines. HoriRyu works by appointment only, drawing custom designs for each customer. HoriRyu is a Harley rider who enjoys traveling to America and goes to many tattoo events. He will be available to work April 5-10 at Atomic, and April 12-14 at the motorcycle expo.

HoriShio is HoriRyu's wife, and she works in a tattoo studio upstairs from his own. HoriShio has been tattooing for more than four years, and welcomes all different styles. She's very good at traditional Japanese style, which she does mostly when she comes to America, and she also uses electric machines. HoriShio will be available April 12-14 at the tattoo convention, and April 15-21 at Atomic.

HoriHiro is also in his early 30s and has been tattooing for about six years. He's self-taught, uses electric machines, and has an apartment studio, which is very common in Japan. He works by appointment only and is busy all the time. He does a variety of different styles, but likes to do new Japanese and American styles. New Japanese is a mix of traditional Japanese themes with Western influence and styles. A very motivated artist, HoriHiro's studio is filled with work from great artists around the world, including his own. He's also a fan of American music and pop culture; he even has a collection of American toys. HoriHiro will be available April 12-14 at the tattoo convention, and April 15-21 at Atomic.

Atomic Tattoo artist Dan Fagan recently visited Japan; we had a chance to talk with him about his experiences.

TooSquare: How many times have you visited Japan?

Dan Fagan: Twice, once last June and then again this past February.

TS: What did you do in Japan? Just a visit, or did you tattoo as well?

DF: I visited a lot of museums, shrines and temples. Japan has a long history and it can really help influence your work. But yeah, I also did some tattooing. It was cool because I actually had some return clients on my second trip. I even started some tattoos that I'll work on when I return next time.

TS: So you are planning another trip?

DF: Yeah, hopefully in late September.

TS: Is business brisk, do you do a lot of tattooing while there?

DF: It's pretty good, I do several tattoos … 2 or 3 a day.

TS: What are the rates like, similar to those in the States?

DF: Well, tattooing is generally more expensive than in this country.

TS: Are the shops clean? What are the regulations like?

DF: The shops are very clean and almost entirely self-regulated. It's uncommon to fill out a form to be tattooed.

TS: Do the clients like being tattooed by an American?

DF: Some of the Japanese clients like American-style tattoos, but these tend to be 18-32 year olds. They like traditional American designs, usually. One real interesting thing is that people who get tattoos in Japan seem to be heavily tattooed, not just a tattoo here and there, but their entire bodies.

TS: So it must be socially acceptable in Japan then?

DF: Tattoo culture in Japan is growing, but socially, people are still somewhat reserved about tattoos, just like in the States. Most people seem to be really involved in the tattoo culture, they hang out together, know each other, and many of the artists tattoo each other. Tattoos are slowly becoming socially acceptable but many businesses and services are still denied to people who have them.

TS: In the States it seems more men get tattoos than women, what is it like in Japan?

DF: It seems pretty equal in that aspect; I have seen equal amounts of men and women with tattoos.

TS: Can you tell us what the shops are like in the East? Are they on every street corner like in the states? And what do you think are the cultural differences between East and West tattoo culture?

DF: The tattoo shops in the East range from American-style street shops, just like the ones we are familiar with, to an artist's apartment or home that contains a small studio. The style of the studio does not dictate the style or skill or the artist. These smaller shops or studios are commonly appointment only, and the artists are shown a great deal of respect. The appointments are also very strict, not showing up for an appointment or not calling in advance could lead to never being tattooed by a particular artist again. But as far as walk-in shops go, the larger cities are where you would want to look. The artists in Japan also do not expect a tip after giving a tattoo (this almost might be considered an insult), but a small gift given upon arrival before the tattoo is very common.

TS: How does Atomic Tattoos hope the visiting artists will affect the local tattoo scene?

DF: We hope it really gives people a chance to take part in the art and traditions of Japanese tattoo culture.

TS: Thanks Dan, and Atomic Tattoos.

Receiving a tattoo from an authentic Japanese artist is a true honor and a unique event; don't miss out. The visiting artists will obviously be very busy when they're in the area. If you'd like to be a part of the long and beautiful history of Japanese artistry, please call and schedule an appointment. Contact Atomic Tattoos at 727-581-4444, or log onto www.AtomicTattoos.com for more information.

Atomic Tattoos is located at 9043 Ulmerton Road, Largo, and features the tattoo art of Clay Montgomery, Dan Fagan and Steve Cannon.

HoriRyu's work can be viewed at: http://www.rnac.ne.jp/~crank/

HoriHiro's work can be viewed at: http://www.cotton-pickin.com