Book - Tokyo Tattoo 1970

Tokyo Tattoo 1970 – This book by renowned photographer Martha Cooper is dedicated to the traditional art of tattooing and presents a rare portrait of a grand master. The publication offers a unique glimpse into the world of Japanese tattooing in Tokyo in 1970 and compiles a photography collection that captures the art of Irezumi – a movement often associated with the Yakuza, yet widely recognized for its cultural significance and artistic value.

Martha Cooper arrived in Tokyo in 1969. She soon became interested in the local art of tattooing and began documenting the work of a traditional Japanese tattooist, Horibun I. The master worked exclusively using traditional Japanese methods: he applied tattoos by hand, dipping clusters of various-sized needles attached to wooden sticks into colored ink, and drew his motifs and narratives from ancient Japanese legends.

Details:
• The book "Tokyo Tattoo 1970" tells the story of the Japanese tattoo maestro and his work – showing him in the process of tattooing alongside his clients, displaying their finished tattoos, and following Horibun I during his pilgrimage to a sacred Shinto shrine
• Martha Cooper's sharp and detailed photographs accurately convey both the intricate tattooing process and the finished motifs, ultimately creating a stunning and unique narrative about traditional Japanese techniques
• An ideal publication for readers interested in art history, photography, Japanese culture, and the anthropology of tattooing