系譜 Lineage
Horisumi Horimono
Hand-carved traditional Japanese tattooing. With my work I aspire to create highly detailed, richly coloured original tattoos that are elegantly simple, yet created to last a lifetime looking bright and sharp. I aspire to make each tattoo, whether a small flower on the leg or a dragon bodysuit, a one-off masterpiece — a masterpiece with meaning and tradition — and with 30 years of professional experience my work is second to none.
I focus on and specialise in traditionalist Japanese style tattoo (Horimono), with my preference being Japanese bodysuits — large works such as full back, sleeves, ribs, chest and legs, all joined together using seasonal and natural elements. I very much prefer starting with a full backpiece and building the bodysuit from that, and I give priority to clients wanting bodysuits starting with full backs.
The way I work
I work under the traditional Japanese tattoo name of HORISUMI and specialise in traditional Japanese tattoo, also known as ‘Irezumi’ or ‘Wabori’. I make my tattoos using the traditional hand poke method of Japanese tattooing called ‘tebori’, which I learned in Japan under a master of the craft, Horikashi of Gifu.
If and when possible I will freehand draw some or all of the entire design on the skin with a brush pen, so that it contours and fits exactly to the body and is perfectly unique and authentic to each person. A version of the design is always drawn on paper first for reference and client approval.
I use tattoo machines to make outlines because in my opinion they create the cleanest and sharpest lines in a time-efficient manner, but I will make handmade outlines for smaller works on request. For my background shading and colours I work solely by the traditional hand poke method, which causes much less pain than tattoo machines, produces brighter colours, less bleeding, less skin trauma and a much faster healing process. Tebori also creates a very unique look to the tattoo when healed as compared to machine work — the hues and tones of the inks are much more rich and saturated in the skin, and the tattoo looks definitively alive. There are only a handful of tattoo artists worldwide who can create beautiful and authentic tattoos in this way, and most of them are based in Japan.
道 The road
1993
I began my path into tattooing in 1986 as a teenager, learning on my own and getting tattooed myself, but it wasn’t until 1993 that I devoted myself to the craft by getting my career start with ‘Crazy Ace’ Daniels in Toronto, Canada, a well known tattoo master of the era. I worked professionally across North America, Europe and Asia for nearly 20 years, plying my trade and learning from many leading tattoo masters across the world, before settling in Australia in 2007 to open my own studio.
Coming from a Canadian background and having lived in Europe for many years, my inclination for travelling the world and seeking ‘more’ came very naturally — and in doing so I have worked with and learned from some of the best tattoo artists living today, at some of the finest tattoo shops around the globe.
Authentink Studio
When I founded Authentink Studio in 2013 it was the culmination of more than two decades of hard work, world travel, study, discipline and perseverance. It has since become one of Australia’s most respected and highly rated custom and Japanese style tattoo studios, in the heart of Surry Hills, Sydney.
I tattoo every day the studio is open. I enjoy being the perpetual student of Japanese tattooing, and a mentor to younger aspiring tattoo artists. I have devoted myself to drawing all of my designs directly onto the skin and tattooing all of my work by hand, and I am constantly striving for perfection.
材 The materials
Handmade everything
The pigments, inks and materials I use are all imported from overseas and mixed by hand in my colour lab, creating my signature tattoo ink colours and tones. The rich blacks and shades of black I use are all made from premium sumi sticks imported from Japan, ground and mixed by hand as well.
The imported high-grade Japanese steel needles used to make my specialised tebori hand poke tools are single use and disposable. All of my equipment, supplies, needles, ink and tools are of the highest quality, tried and tested for generations by Japanese tattoo masters, and used solely for my work — no expense or effort has been spared.
名 The name
The name ‘Horisumi’ was bestowed on me in 2013 by Japan’s most famous Irezumi tattoo master and prolific artist, Horiyoshi III. I am greatly indebted to all the great tattoo artists, craftsmen and painters, living and deceased, whose shoulders I stand on and who inspire me daily: Horikashi, my tattoo brother and teacher. The living legend Gifu Horihide, without whose efforts Japanese tattooing may have taken decades longer to reach the west. My good friend Asakusa Horikazu, for staying true to the life and being a shining example of what real Japanese tattooing is based on. Horikitsune, for being a great friend and a source of support and inspiration. Horitoshi (Family), for being as traditional and real as it gets. And many others too numerous to mention by name.
If anything, my work is a tribute to them.
記録 Outside the studio
Lectures, writing, demonstrations
I have presented and demonstrated at the prestigious Art Gallery of New South Wales for the ‘Japan Supernatural’ exhibition, given my own talk on the history of Japanese tattooing, and demonstrated traditional tattoo methods at the Japan Foundation in Sydney, the Newcastle Museum of Art, and many renowned tattoo conventions.
When I’m not drawing, painting or designing, I write for tattoo magazines on current affairs, tattoo culture and history, as well as opinion editorials, and I host a video series on YouTube. Another passion of mine, aside from art and tattooing, is researching Japanese tattoo culture — I regularly give lectures and seminars on Japanese tattoo art, history and culture, and do public tattoo demonstrations.