Horiyoshi III (Yoshihito Nakano)
Term “Shuhari” implies stages in improvement of practical arts. I like this term. Actually it means the three stages of learning mastery: the fundamentals, breaking with tradition and parting with traditional wisdom. It has been my motto not only for my Irezumi art, also for my personality development through my life as a single man.
Since I have come to be apprenticed to Master Horiyoshi in 1971, I have trained myself, kept self-development and succeeded Horiyoshi’s name as Horiyoshi the third in 1979. Now I feel it is my duty and responsibility as Horiyoshi 3 to carry Master’s spirit and develop Horiyoshi’s art.
Shige (Shigenori Iwasaki)
by Takahiro Horitaka Kitamura
Shigenori Iwasaki, more commonly known as Shige, is a powerhouse of modern Japanese tattooing. Originally a Harley Davidson mechanic, this largely self taught tattooer is a household name in the tattoo world. He is one of the most documented tattooers of all time and has astounded everyone with his own brightly colored, large scale take on Japanese tattooing. Shige is one of the hardest working tattooers out there and this is well evidenced by his body of work and countless numbers of trophies from international tattoo conventions. I am very proud to have published the first monograph about Shige and as expected, we have sold out three printings to date.
Tradition is a very important concept to Shige and he works very hard to insure that his work upholds the culture and history of Japan. Shige spends many long nights drawing, studying and reading to perfect his work. He still makes all his own needles and values the craft and culture of the Japanese tattoo. He is at once a huge innovator as well as a staunch traditionalist and the finished product is a sublime work of modern, traditional Japanese art.
Shige was very excited to have been part of the groundbreaking "Basara" show organized by renowned artist Tenmyouya Hisashi. Held in an art gallery in the busy Aoyama District in Tokyo, "Basara" was the first event of its kind. Shige represented Japanese tattooing by speaking and showing ten of his body suits in person- a very rare sight in Japan! The response was phenomenal, over 2000 people attended the four hour opening reception making this one of the biggest events held in the gallery for the last twenty years. He has also exhibited at the Asian Art Museum in San Francisco, California. Shige is scheduled to participate in a six month museum show titled Perseverance, at the Japanese American National Museum in spring of 2014. He has lectured at the Sao Paulo, Brazil convention and is scheduled to speak at the Bay Area Convention of the Tattoo Arts in October, 2013.
Shige wears an almost complete bodysuit from European Maestro Filip Leu and spending three months in Switzerland with the Leu Family was a pivotal time in Shige's life. This influenced and inspired him heavily to hone his artwork and also to live and grow with his own "tattoo family." He is a devoted father and husband. Shige's wife, Chisato, has been with him through all of this and is his life and work partner. Along with their daughter Ayaka and his apprentice Tomo, they run Yellow Blaze Tattoo in Yokohama, Japan. Yellow Blaze hosts frequent high caliber guest artists and is a beacon of exceptional tattooing. Despite all his artistic and career minded accomplishments, what I like most about Shige is his integrity and loyalty. He is one of the most genuine people I have had the pleasure of meeting and I am proud to call him my friend.
