‘The Japanese Tattoo’ Celebrates the Craftsmen Preserving a Misunderstood Art Form

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Summary

  • Manami Okazaki’s The Japanese Tattoo explores Japan’s tattoo culture
  • The book offers rare access to horishi masters and multigenerational tattoo families with an extensive documentation of archival images and new photography
  • Retailing at $50 USD via Penguin Random House

Manami Okazaki, a journalist and author from Tokyo, has published a new book called The Japanese Tattoo. It’s a detailed look at Japan’s tattoo traditions and how they’ve evolved in modern times.

This book offers a fascinating look at the art of tattooing, which is popular worldwide but often not fully understood. Okazaki skillfully explores the contrast within the Japanese tattoo world: the secrecy of traditional tattoo masters, known as horishi, and the open exposure of modern social media. Through her close connections with families who have practiced tattooing for generations, she provides a rare and genuine glimpse into this respected, yet frequently misunderstood, art form.

This book, published by Prestel Publishing, explores the stories behind traditional Japanese irezumi tattoos using both new photography and historical images. It helps explain the complex meanings woven into the designs, which often relate to mythology and the seasons. You can preview pages from The Japanese Tattoo by Manami Okazaki, available for $50 from Penguin Random House’s website.

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2026-05-19 10:25