Kano Kazunobu Exhibition Catalog - So Good

Size: 10 " x 11.5" - Pages: 185 - Published: 2011 - Price: $100 - Flexicover

This book is awesome. It is the catalog from 500 Arhats exhibition here in Tokyo and it does a really good job outlining the 500 illustrations and doing close ups on some of the more poignant imagery. The exhibition itself was mindblowing, the paintings (all 500) were floor to ceiling and although the central imagery was compelling, it is all the supportive imagery in the background that is most impressive. Plates are titles in Japanese and English and the text is likewise in both languages making this a must have book for any Japanese imagery collection.


Out of stock....

Dragon Illustrations - Amazing Reference Material

Size: 9 " x 12" - Pages: 127 - Published: 2011 - Price: $90 - Hardcover

This is an awesome new publication of dragon illustrations created specifically for tattoo artists. From single line to fully rendered with background imagery, this book is cover to cover inspiration. It's unique in that there is a section devoted to dragons w/ plants and flowers as well as in the fact that there was more than one artistic contributor....allowing for a variety of style and composition. Predominately full page monochrome images, with a small section of work in full color at the end. This is a great book for any serious tattooer.

Hiroshi Hirata's Mononofu - Amazing Samurai Illustrations

Size: 8.5" x 11" - Pages: 112 - Published: 2003 - Price: $65 - Binding: Softcover

This is the coolest book I've found in a while! It is called Mononofu by Hiroshi Hirata and includes over 100 pages of awesome Japanese warriors - samurai, ronin etc. This book has both black and while and color imagery, most of it is full page and includes depictions of battle scenes, lone warriors, seppuku and men astride horses - TONS of different poses and costumes perfect for tattoo reference. This book rocks. Includes a forward in both English and Japanese and text is offered in both languages - what little of it there is. He does include the names of the warriors in English on many of the prints - which is really helpful. Great for artists, collectors of Japanese art or Suikoden enthusiasts. 1000's of great ideas for tradition Japanese-esque tattoos.

Geijutsu Shincho - Kano Kazunobu - This artist is truly impressive. His stuff blows me away!

Size: 8 ” x 11 ” - Pages: 168 - Published: 2011 - Price: $52 - Binding: Softcover

This issue of Geijutsu Shincho includes an amazing 70 page feature on Kano Kazunobu and anyone hunting Kano Hogai-esque imagery will definitely want to check it out. From the same art house as Kyosai and Hogai, Kazunobu's body of work is outstanding. He employs the same stunning color palate as Hogai but his illustrations are almost kaleidoscopic in detail. There is so much going on in each illustration, each becomes a story told from start to finish, amazing. Kazunobu's art heavily features Buddhist iconography but the support imagery is equally as compelling and his grasp and use of color is unparalleled. There are a few other articles in this issue of Geijutsu Shincho but they pale next to Kazunobu's article. Text is in Japanese. As there is so little available on this artists I highly suggest you add this one to your collections.

Horiyoshi III Daruma Charity Poster

All proceeds go to help the victims of the Tohaku earthquake.

Posters are limited to 500. This is the second in a series of five.

Appx. 20" x 24"

The Kanji on the top right means heart - kokoro. The bottom writing is a challenge to never give up. Defeat is not an option. If you do not accept defeat, you can overcome. The writing on the top right advises people stay the course with determination and encourages meditation. If you think long and hard enough the solution will become clear.... the words together are a powerful call to the country to stand strong in spirit and heart.

Cute Little Wandering Tanuki - $65

Tanuki can be found all over Japan, beckoning customers into inns and pubs - they are notorious mischief makers and shape- shifters who enjoy a good laugh, generally at the expense of unsuspecting woodsmen and hunters. Tanuki are usually depicted with big round bellies, empty sake flasks and promissory notes they never intend to pay, straw hats that indicate that they are up for anything, rain or shine, and of course their eyecatchingly enormous testicles, that some say are to remind people to cut loose, and not be stingy, and others maintain they are merely a symbol of good fortune. Tanuki remind people to enjoy their lives, to let go and live a little. Definitely one of my favorite Japanese icons....

This little guys is...

28cm x 18cm x16cm

vintage - I believe from the Taisho Era

$65 plus shipping ( EMS with tracking and insurance - since I can't replace him)

Chinese Foo Dogs by Dong Dong Chou

Size: 11 " x 14 " - Pages: 126 - Published: 2010 - Price: $90 -Hardcover

This book is amazing and I highly recommend it! It's a beautiful cloth bound collection of foo dog reference by Mummy Tattoo's Dong Dong. Predominately full page, full color illustrations, with a few sketches and close ups of eyes and claws. Dong Dong's sketches are full of movement and expression - they are powerful and translate beautifully into tattoos. This is the best foo dog reference I have seen on the market - do yourself a favor!