Yokohama Day...

I went out to Yokohama and stopped by the Horiyoshi III museum to say hello. Horiren was there checking out Horiyoshi's new collection of tebori tools...which were really beautiful....





We decided to get food afterward and ended up in Shinjuku at Zauo, one of my favorites!! The dining area is shaped like a boat, and there's a huge assortment of yumminess swimming around it that you must catch in order to enjoy. While the fishing is fun, watching the Japanese businessmen and old grannies fish is waaaaay more fun. Hours of entertainment. When you catch something the staff claps, sings and asks you if you want your catch raw, grilled or pan fried....Horiren proved quite adept at snagging lobsters!

Cody Meyer's New Book Escaping the Gallows due to Launch at Boston Tattoo Convention in September!

Original Ozuma Kaname Paintings for sale....

Ozuma Kaname needs no introduction here. A contemporary of Horiyoshi III, Kaname's body of work consist primarily of nude women brandishing stunning wabori - Japanese style tattooing, and images of tattoo iconography. His dragons and Buddhist deities have found their way not only into his impressive tomes but into mainstream Japanese culture as well. His artwork can be found on jigsaw puzzles and postcards. As the tattoo culture on the whole here in Japan is still very taboo, this is quite an impressive feat.

I met Ozuma sensei several years back at one of his gallery shows here in Tokyo. Later I was invited to his studio outside of Tokyo. The small two room apartment was filled floor to ceiling with his art...none of it actually on display, just stacked on shelves and in boxes. He expressed the desire to sell some of it and I offered to help by translating and doing write ups. The information about the pieces below is from the sensei himself...he doesn't remember exactly when these were painted but I got as much relevant info as I could think to ask, fine art not being my area of expertise. Prices were set by Kaname himself and payment will go to him, via bank transfer. I will oversee shipping and can help with any and all details. Please understand that I am aware that these paintings are not cheap, but serious inquires will be considered. These illustrations will only appreciate in value and are truly a piece of Japanese history.



Please email Crystal at info@gominekobooks.com for additional information.

Click here to order off our website: http://gominekobooks.com/tattoorelatedart/tattoore.html


Dragon and Waves

size: 72.7 x 53. cm unframed
painted on silk with Japanese Sumi and ganryo inks
USD 13,750









Jigoku Dayuu

(Courtesean of Hell) adopted by Zen priest Ikkyu who converted her. She wears the kimono of a lady, but decorated with scenes from hell. Jigoku means hell and is a term used for the lowest rank of unliscensed prostitute, Dayu is an honorific for the highest ranking courtesan.

size: 60.6cm x 45.5cm unframed
painted on silk with Japanese Sumi and ganryo inks
USD 8,200










Hagoromo

The feather mantle of a Tennin, or celestial being, is called a Hagoromo, made famous by a Noh play of the same name. The Tennin performs a dance honoring the moon, in exchange for her mantle, discovered on a tree by a fisherman.

size: 72.7 x 53. cm unframed
painted on silk with Japanese Sumi and ganryo inks
USD 13,750

Original Kuniyoshi Woodblock find new home at Gomineko HQ!!

Went to the rare shops today to pick up something for a good (but soooo high maintenance) customer and picked up this freaking awesome original Kuniyoshi Ukiyo-e from 1815 for my shop.....gonna be eating a lot of ramen noodles for the rest of the month but it was so worth it!!!

How rad is he?!?! A tattooed Fudo Myo-o!

Wicked Japanese pen & ink illustrator Shohei....this kid will be legend.

I met Shohei thru Ako at the Ghetto, in Shin-Okubo. Underneath a quiet and reserved exoskeleton resides a savage spirit and a irrepressible talent not for the faint of heart...

Keep your eyes peeled for Shohei's work in future Gomineko publications...

Maruyama's Sketchbook - this one is a must have!

I love Maruyama!! He's an incredible artist and his illustrations keep getting better and better. He contributed to out Japanese Ghost Stories Book and is currently working on the cover of the new Gomineko Compilation Japanese Mythological Creatures. Currently operating under the name Hougen and working out of the prestigous private studio of Horiyasu in Asakusa, he a guy to keep your eye on in the years to come. This book is rife will brilliant Japanese imagers, Oni, Kirin, Nue, Phoenix, Dragons, Demons, Namakubi, Hannya, Chrysanthemums, lotus, snakes, Koi and Kingyo....it has it all. This is a must have for anyone focused on Japanese style imagery.

Size: 8." x 11.5" - Pages 63 - Price: $85 - Spiral bound softcover

Click here to order off the website: Maruyama's Sketchbook

Click here to order off ebay: Maruyama's Sketchbook














For this and tons more books on Japanese Tattoo Art and Design click the cat...

Horiyoshi III on the new book....

Japanese Buddhism x Horiyoshi III - now available for pre-order!!!

Gomineko Press is proud to announce the upcoming release of Japanese Buddhism x Horiyoshi III, the first book of it's kind on an esoteric and difficult to approach subject matter. It includes almost 400 pages of beautiful photography illuminating Japanese Buddhist iconography from the top four Buddhist expanses in Japan, with clear and thorough explanations, in English, of the numerous deities and symbols. This publication also includes tattoo reference provided by Horiyoshi III and his clients and an interview with him on Buddhism and it's relationship to Japanese tattooing. Text by Manami Okazaki and photography from renowned cameraman Geoff Johnson, this is a must have reference book. The book is a monster, 6" x 9" and softcover with superior binding. We are accepting pre-orders now. Book is due to release mid August, 2010. Secure your copy today!! xx Gomineko


Size: 6" x 9" - Published: 2010 - Price: $100 - Binding: Softcover

This is a pre-order. Books will ship mid-august when the arrive off the boat. Get you copy before distributors!

Click here to order off our website: Japanese Buddhism x Horiyoshi III via website

Click here to order off eBay: Japanese Buddhism x Horiyoshi III via eBay