Insane Mums...

I found these pics on an old camera and thought I'd share...they are from a display in Shinjuku last year. They'd rigged special support cups under the blooms to keep them from tipping over. Hahaha....yeah.

The Raddest Shohaku Book Ever- Rare Museum Catalog

This is the most AWESOME Shohaku collection ever. EVER. (I do realize I just copied what I said about the Kyosai Book above, but it's true.) It is a nice big reference book, with the illustrations represented in their entirety as well as close ups on some of the more intricate details. It includes pull outs and many of the more obscure illustrations not found in the newer survey books. All text is in Japanese. This is a museum catalog purchased direct so stock is limited.

Size: 9.5" x 11" -Pages: 405 - Published: 2005 - Price: $68 - Softcover


Click here: The Raddest Shohaku Book Ever


- or here to buy it on eBay -

The Raddest Shohaku Book Ever

Gomineko Weekly Special - Ozuma Kaname's Tattoo Fantasy $25 off

Ozuma Kaname's Tattoo Fantasy is this week's weekly special. Pick up a copy now to round out your tattoo reference library for $25 off.

This is by far my favorite Kaname publication. It includes 75 full page full color illustrations and 18 pages of sketches and model photos. This book is predominately portraits with a few amazing renditions of popular tattoo motifs - dragons, tiger, a kirin and a brilliant fujin and raijin. This book does not include any of the shibari (rope bondage) imagery found in his earlier publications. All in all a beautiful book, both inside and out, and a must have for any serious collector of Japanese Tattoo reference art. $160 on sale!

Click here: Ozuma Kaname's Tattoo Fantasy $25 off

















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

Japanese Ghost Stories -

Gomineko’s newest publication Japanese Ghost Stories is the end result of a year long art project. It includes illustrations based on four different Japanese ghost stories, submitted by 62 unique international artists, including Jack “Horimouja” Mosher, Horimasa, Ade, Cody Meyer, Tim Kern, Horizaru, Horigyn, Hougen and more. The project was created to explore how Westerners approach old Japanese myths and legends, most of which are quite culturally diverse and unique. The artists were asked to adhere to certain elements of the story but ultimately were given creative license. The artwork submitted for the project was incredibly varied in terms of style and approach, making this a compelling collection of illustrations and an interesting look into how the western mind, as well as that of present day Japan, approach these antiquated tales.The book is softcover, 124 pages, A4 in size and $48. We also did a run of special edition hardbacks (s/n limited to 300) for the artists and are selling what remains of those on our website for $100.

Click here to order one for yourself....Japanese Ghost Stories




































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

How to Suicide by Shintaro Kago. GENUIS!!

This is a wicked little number that makes me laugh every time I look at it. It was discovered at my favorite bookstore in the world, Taco Che, and it is exactly what it looks like, a guide to offing yourself. Ha. Ha. HA!! Genuis.

Size: 15cm x 21cm - Pages: 28 - Published: 2009 - Price: $18 - VERY SoftCover

Click here to see more pages and possibly pick one up for yourself: How to Suicide by Shintaro Kago

My first official blog....

...thanks Amalie and Nick for the nudge. OK first posting...I am going to unofficially call this place Gomineko Land because I am going to post about all aspects of Gomineko....new books, old books, the book I publish and the books I want but don't have yet, along with the art shows I host and the ones I attend and think are cool, the tours of Japan we run for tattoo enthusiasts....and, well, anything else I cook up. Hang on to your hats.....