The Japanese Tattoo: Fights and Fires Are the Flowers of Edo
By Okazaki Manami
Prestel (2026)
ISBN-13: 978-3791393780
Review by tattooist Alex Whiley
When looking for a new book on Japanese tattooing, I’ve become much pickier these days. Often I find many of the same historical paintings or pictures, lacking the personal touch and tales. Losing the human element or deeper history behind these famous images, they may have small snippets of what I’m looking for but rarely do I find a book that has all that and more, in one place. Okazaki Manami however presents a history of Japanese tattooing and the practice of it, with a focus of the Horikazu tattooing dynasty, filled with plenty of small details and intriguing stories that are much harder to uncover.
Japanese tattooing is an amalgamation of hundreds of years of culture and history, brought together in a unique and beautiful way. Okazaki’s book tells the history of Japan’s tattooing from its origins until the art form we know today with its recognised style of tattoo bodysuits and sleeves. The book provides in-depth historical background to the tattoo art in Japan, from the importance of the lower, working class people, such as firefighters with incredible tattoo bodysuits, during the Edo period ((1603-1868) to the well-known yakuza and their traditions of decoration and adornments to show power, status and infamy within their organisation. In this regard, Japan’s history in tattooing seems to always go hand in hand with communities, identifying themselves together through their skin. This dedication to art, flourishing from underground or secretive spaces, developed into fashion and began to influence Western artists and trends. One example is for instance the tattoo artist Ed Hardy who’s work brought Japanese art to the forefront of American tattooing and transformed it into what we think of today.
In addition to its history, Okazaki’s book also explores a diverse range of styles and subjects within Japanese tattooing, showing the development from traditional Tebori style work and classic woodblock designs including the many dragons and chrysanthemums often associated with the Japanese style. I was impressed to find a section on the Ainu indigenous people in this book. Their deeply symbolic artwork - that looks more tribal and folk art inspired to what you may expect - is often overlooked and not included in the conversations about Japan’s rich tattooing history. This alone would have had me convinced I needed this book.
One other aspect to highlight from the book is how Okazaki curated a small but exceptionally selection of woodblock print designs, from the great master Kuniyoshi - whose work has inspired generations of tattoo artists, and has been reinvented and replicated onto skin for hundreds of years – to Motoharu Asaka, a contemporary woodblock carver for more than 40 years, who is still producing beautiful art and inspiring the next generation of artists
Worth mentioning are also the interviews with world class and revered artists such as Horihide, Horimitsu, Horimyo as well as an in-depth profile on Horikazu. These feature amazing photos of their respective works, from full sleeves to groups of finished body suits, a wonderful accompaniment to the stories from the makers themselves. Each interview highlights not only their strengths and dedication to their craft but also the rich history, rules and the bending of them in Japanese tattooing.
Finally, Okazaki dedicates the last part of the book to describe different well and lesser known motifs in Japanese tattooing, describing in detail their significance and meaning. These well researched definitions are invaluable in an age of AI generated answers and misinformation online. Okazaki delves deep into various traditions and festivals, the workmanship and craft that goes into building something that spans generations. She does so with so much detail and art poured into them, even diving into the labour intensive process of making sumi ink, which is a favourite of old and new Japanese tattooers alike.
To conclude, I would like to emphasise again how The Japanese Tattoo is a book with a wealth of information, covering all aspects of Japanese tattooing: its history, its modern practice and the traditions and meanings surrounding this art form. With 240 glossy pages including a stunning array of high quality, full colour images and plenty of interesting and unique stories and interviews, this book will make a brilliant addition to collectors of Japanese art, history and tattooings. It truly filled a gap in my own bookshelf, and I’m sure would likely be the case for other enthusiasts, artists and tattooers alike.