Tokyo Tattoo 1970

Tokyo Tattoo 1970 by renowned photographer Martha Cooper is a book about the traditional art of tattooing and a rare portrait of a master artist. It provides a unique glimpse into the world of traditional Japanese tattooing in Tokyo in 1970, and it’s a collection of photographs capturing the Japanese art of Irezumi (often associated with the Yakuza, but also widely recognised for its cultural significance and artistry). Martha Cooper came to Tokyo in 1969. She soon became interested in the local art of tattooing and began documenting the work of traditional Japanese tattooist Horibun I who worked with traditional Japanese methods, tattoos made by hand, with different sized bundles of needles bound to sticks which he dipped into coloured inks. His motifs were derived from traditional Japanese legends. Tokyo Tattoo 1970 tells the story of a Japanese tattoo master and his work. It shows him at work, with his customers, their tattoos, and it follows Horibun I on a pilgrimage to a holy Shinto shrine. Martha Cooper’s sharp pictures show the process of the tattooist’s work as well as finished motifs and results in a unique and astounding story of the traditional Japanese tattooing technique. The 2011 hardcover edition of Tokyo Tattoo 1970 was released in 2011, has been sold out for years and is considered a collectors item. Finally, the paperback edition is here, making this unique collection available for a new generation of tattoo fans.

Author Biography

Martha Cooper is a photographer with a focus on documenting subcultures. After more than fifteen books and countless exhibitions around the world she is one of the most important portrayals of street life and urban culture today. Martha Cooper’s previous books include Subway Art, Tag Town, Hip Hop Files, New York State of Mind, Street Play, One Week with 1UP and Spray Nation.