Gomineko Updates

Hello All,

Just a few updates.

First off, a big thank you to all of you who sent in submissions for the upcoming Japanese Mythical Creatures Book. It is with the layout guys now and we hope to have it finished mid summer. I will be returning your art once I have the book in hand, along with special hardcover copies I'm making for all the participants. I appreciate your patience, this was a long project but we received so much amazing artwork the book is going to be incredible.

For the next Gomineko project I want to explore Japanese Youkai. (Supernatural Creatures). The term is loosely used for a wide range of beings - from the raging Hannya to the mischevious tanuki. There are Henge, the shapeshifters, and Tsukumogami, household objects that come to life after 100 years of devoted service. It is a huge topic to tackle and I want the book to be a visual exploration of the entire spectrum. There are several great reference books in English already on Youkai, along with illustrations from youkai masters Shigeru Mizuki and the more antiquated Kyosai and Toriyama Sekian. Lafcadio Hearn's Kwaidan book is incredibly illuminating and this website is awesome for quick reference http://www.obakemono.com/. I plan to outline what youkai are and the different categories that fall under the term. I want to have a section on stories that include these beings. There will be a section on yokai sketches for tattoo. The project part, where you come in, is the last section of the book which will be devoted to new youkai, ones you have to make up, create, and name/explain. I have artists working on a panty raider Youkai, the youkai that sneaks into your bathroom at night and removes the cap off your toothpaste so it gets crusty, a week youkai, a cee-lo youkai ..... the possibilities here are endless and the time line is generous, I won't even touch this book till winter 2011. Please email me with your idea before you get started so there aren't any repeats, and as this book will be presented as a reference book I cannot guarantee that all submissions will go to print. It will ultimately be up to the editing crew. I'm really looking forward to sinking my teeth into this new project and hope you find it challenging and fun.

Deadline is November 30th 2011. Size doesn't matter. Please do not send illustrations in frames...it costs so much in shipping. I have not arranged for this to be a show. I will probably take submission on the road to promote the book's release and return them when the book comes out. If you want to send me a digital submission that works to but it must be at least 400dpi.

Submissions should be addressed to:

Gomineko Books
attn: Crystal Morey
3-13-29 Imagawa
Suginami-ku, Tokyo
167-0035
Japan


Other Gomineko news....

I have steadily been adding stock to the website and I believe worked out all the paypal kinks so do a little drive by when you get a free second www.gominekobooks.com

I will be auctioning off some original Jack "Horimouja" Mosher Illustrations next week on eBay. He's back in the saddle working on his next book, which is going to be mind blowing, and he sent me some illustrations he's been working on recently. Check the blog or facebooks for links to those auctions next week.

We will be at the Sydney tattoo expo next week so stop by if you are i Sydney, I've send heaps of stock over!!

May 13 - 23 is our tour of Tokyo. The Asakusa Sanja Matsuri is during those 10 days...an amazing annual festival. We will explore the temples at Nikko, and see the bBg Buddha in Kamakura, along with going out to meet Horiyoshi III and visit his museum. It's a great chance to see the sight, both on and off the beaten path!


Sept 2-5 We will be at the Boston Tattoo Convention with Horimasa and Horiken. Crystal will be doing a seminar on Japanese Tattooing at the show.

In October we will be doing two back to back tours - one in Tokyo (10/3 - 10/13) and the surrounding areas and the second in Osaka/Kyoto and Nara (10/14 - 10/24).

You can keep up with us here...

www.gominekobooks.com
www.gominekotours.com
www.gominekobooks.blogspot.com
www.facebook.com/gominekobooks
and www.myspace.com/gominekobooks but we've been having so many issues with Myspace we rarely post there.

Thank You for your continued support!

xoxo Gomineko

2 little gems from Incognito Press - finally a good little flower sketchbook!

Incognito Press' Flowers & Compositions 2009

This book is a gem!! You guys have been all over me for flower sketchbooks - well this one is pretty rad. Tons of roses, chrysanthemums, cherry blossoms - both on and off the branch, peony, lillies, orchids, lotus and more. Predominately 1-2 flower outlines per page with the occational bird, heart, skull etc for accent and inspiration this book. It is well bound and is small and lightweight making it perfect for conventions. We love incognito press. x

Size:5.5." x 8 " - Pages 82 - Price: $32 - Softcover

Click here to pre-order: Incognito Press' Flowers & Compositions 2009

Awesome New Sketchbook from Madrid's Jee Sayalero

This latest installment from Madrid's Jee Sayalero is just beautiful. It includes 200 pages of amazing sketches and drawings - both monochrome and color. There are 12 double spread fold outs so you can see the finer details involved, as well as several illustrations of the same piece in progress so you can follow it's development. There are several pages of photos in the back so you can see Sayalero's finished results. This book is well crafted and very instructional. Jee has a passion for life that is evident in his artwork. His pieces are full of energy and movement, they are whimsical and fun, just like the man himself. Size: 9 " x 13" - Pages 200 - Price: $115 - Softcover

Click here to pre-order: Tattoo Drawings by Jee Sayalero Sk4

Jay Cavna's Unfinished Business Part 2

This is Jay Cavna's follow up to his first sketchbook which I've sold heaps of because it is rad. If you bought the first you know why you should pick up the second one. Cavna is wicked talented and his sketches will keep you on point. His Japanese imagery adheres to tradition but is crafted with a western eye which I think, makes his work stand out. He doesn't spend his time trying to be Japanese, but studies the Japanese aesthetics for what they are and applies them to his own illustrations. His lines are solid and his images reflect his confidence as an artist. This book included skulls, dragon, flower, tiger, goldfish, turtle, deities and gods, snakes, hannya, grim reapers, koi, oni foo dog....a little bit of everything. You won't be disappointed.


Size: 8." x 11.5" - Pages 44 - Price: $65 - Spiral bound softcover

Click here to pre-order: Jay Cavna's Unfinished Business Part 2












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

Jay Cavna's Unfinished Business Part 2

This is Jay Cavna's follow up to his first sketchbook which I've sold heaps of because it is rad. If you bought the first you know why you should pick up the second one. Cavna is wicked talented and his sketches will keep you on point. His Japanese imagery adheres to tradition but is crafted with a western eye which I think, makes his work stand out. He doesn't spend his time trying to be Japanese, but studies the Japanese aesthetics for what they are and applies them to his own illustrations. His lines are solid and his images reflect his confidence as an artist. This book included skulls, dragon, flower, tiger, goldfish, turtle, deities and gods, snakes, hannya, grim reapers, koi, oni foo dog....a little bit of everything. You won't be disappointed.


Size: 8." x 11.5" - Pages 44 - Price: $65 - Spiral bound softcover

Click here to pre-order: Jay Cavna's Unfinished Business Part 2












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

Unobserved - A Celebration of Obscure Holidays and Observances

This is a beautiful collection of illustrations centered around both popular and obscure holidays. Presented like a diary of sorts, this unique little book features the creations of over 150 artists. Zach and Ezra, from Triple Crown Tattoo, have done a wonderful job creating an original project that allows tattoo artists to flex their artistic and creative skills. These books are limited to a 1000 copy run, are hand numbered and will sell out so snatch up you copy today.


Size: 5.5 " x 7.5 " - Pages: 220 - Published: 2011 - Price: $45 - Beautiful Cloth Wrapped Hardcover

Click here to pre-order: Unobserved - A Celebration of Obscure Holidays and Observances













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

Mokuyobi Sketchbook - Taking pre-orders for this limited ed. collection from 4 amazing tattooers here in Japan!!

In 2005, Naoki of TNS Tattoo began his collaborative sketchbook series
featuring artwork based around unique themes. Since the initial
release of "Sunday," the "…Days" project has grown and evolved along
with the ever-changing carousel of artists involved. Mokuyobi, which means "Thursday,"is the latest incarnation in the series, and showcases the work of Naoki, along with 3 additional tattoo artists from around Japan: Kosei(Nara) Ryo(Okayama) and Benny(Osaka). Ten new themes were chosen and each individual artist has been set free to interpret the ideas as they see fit - creating a total of 40 original sketches. This compelling collection is a breath of fresh air in sketchbookland...the artists included are all talented and their styles unique which allows for a playful mix between the covers!

This was a small print run of 250 and the books are hand numbered. Gomineko will receive 50 and once they are sold out, that's it...we move on to Friday. We are taking pre-orders for our allotted 50 copies which are scheduled to be in shop at the end of Feb. 2011.

Size: 8.5" x 11.5" - Pages 48 - Price: $45 - Softcover

Click here to pre-order: Mokuyobi Sketchbook










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