--- product_id: 30699082 title: "Japanese Tattoos: History * Culture * Design" price: "AR$55211" currency: ARS in_stock: true reviews_count: 13 url: https://www.desertcart.com.ar/products/30699082-japanese-tattoos-history-culture-design store_origin: AR region: Argentina --- # Japanese Tattoos: History * Culture * Design **Price:** AR$55211 **Availability:** ✅ In Stock ## Quick Answers - **What is this?** Japanese Tattoos: History * Culture * Design - **How much does it cost?** AR$55211 with free shipping - **Is it available?** Yes, in stock and ready to ship - **Where can I buy it?** [www.desertcart.com.ar](https://www.desertcart.com.ar/products/30699082-japanese-tattoos-history-culture-design) ## Best For - Customers looking for quality international products ## Why This Product - Free international shipping included - Worldwide delivery with tracking - 15-day hassle-free returns ## Description Thinking of getting a Japanese-style tattoo? Want to avoid a permanent mistake? Japanese Tattoos is an insider's look at the world of Japanese irezumi (tattoos). Japanese Tattoos explains the imagery featured in Japanese tattoos so that readers can avoid getting ink they don't understand or, worse, that they'll regret. This photo-heavy book also traces the history of Japanese tattooing, putting the iconography and kanji symbols in their proper context so readers will be better informed as to what they mean and have a deeper understanding of irezumi . Featured tattoos range from traditional tebori (hand-poked) and kanji tattoos to anime-inspired and modern works—as well as everything in between. For the first time, Japanese tattooing is put together in a visually attractive, informative, and authoritative way. Along with the 350+ photos of tattoos, Japanese Tattoos also features interviews with Japanese tattoo artists on a variety of topics. What's more, it contains interviews with clients, who are typically overlooked in similar books, allowing them to discuss what their Japanese tattoos mean to them. Those who read this informative tattoo guide will be more knowledgeable about Japanese tattoos should they want to get inked or if they are merely interested in Japanese art and culture. Review: The New Authority on the Japanese Tattoo--Past, Present & Future - Japanese Tattoos: History * Culture * Design ​In his fourth book, Japanese Tattoos: History * Culture * Design, Brian Ashcraft teams up with Osaka artist Hori Benny to tackle a traditionally dense subject and make it accessible to everyone. While there are other books covering the subject, this is easily the most approachable. The book is available in digital and paperback formats; for the purposes of this view, I relied mostly on my paperback copy. That said, one advantage of the digital version is that you can zoom in on the photos. However, this doesn't take away from the paperback version, which is printed in full colour on good quality paper. Inside, the text is immediately engaging. The introduction is extensive, providing background on the history and culture of tattoos, and how the latter has changed. This makes a solid foundation for first chapter, which covers kanji tattoos and takes the reader much further back than they might expect! Did you know that before being used for punishment, tattoos could denote rank, or social status? That they were sometimes used to mark pledges, or to identify fallen warriors? Or maybe you're looking to get a kanji tattoo, yourself--advice on that can be found here, too. The next three chapters cover other designs and motifs common to the artform. Every example is provided with an in-depth explanation of its significance and history, complete with pictorial examples. Often, idiosyncrasies of language that might be lost on a non-native speaker are brought to light. Instead of dry exposition that would leave some simply skimming through the photos, you have passionate writing that seeks to share information written in such a fashion that you can't help but feel the authors want you to develop the same enthusiasm they already have. The fifth chapter, The Full Bodysuit, is best described in its own introductory text: "The bodysuit is the fullest expression of irezumi." Once again, any preconceptions the reader might have are challenged, here. The different types of bodysuit are explored (yes, there are several!), their layouts and borders. When the entire body is being used as a canvas, everything has meaning. The sixth and final chapter covers how tattoos and even the methods of tattooing have changed over time. As patterns and styles were passed down from master to apprentice, new designs have flourished along classic motifs, while still adhering to the rules of irezumi. Geek tattoos (also known as otatoo, a word coined by co-author Hori Benny) began to appear in the past few decades, while still reflecting the values and interests of modern life. While not a section unto itself, I also appreciated the tattooist and client profiles scattered throughout the book. More than any other, this is an industry and artform that requires people. I think that's what makes this book so special. All of the parts come together to show that this is a living, storied art made possible by the lives dedicated to it. Japanese Tattoos: History * Culture * Design brings you into that world. Review: I thought this was an excellent book that explained the history and cultural relevance of ... - I thought this was an excellent book that explained the history and cultural relevance of Japanese tattoos and how they and the state of tattooing in Japan is evolving today. It has beautiful photos, interesting 1-2 page profiles of different artists and clients, and is very well written. Incredibly useful for anything interested in the art of Japanese tattoos or thinking of getting one. This book might save you from some common mistakes and lead you to a more interesting design! ## Technical Specifications | Specification | Value | |---------------|-------| | Best Sellers Rank | #109,763 in Books ( See Top 100 in Books ) #27 in Body Art & Tattoo #83 in Japanese History (Books) #95 in Arts & Photography Criticism | | Customer Reviews | 4.8 out of 5 stars 696 Reviews | ## Images ![Japanese Tattoos: History * Culture * Design - Image 1](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/81anhyqUIzL.jpg) ## Customer Reviews ### ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ The New Authority on the Japanese Tattoo--Past, Present & Future *by K***. on August 21, 2016* Japanese Tattoos: History * Culture * Design ​In his fourth book, Japanese Tattoos: History * Culture * Design, Brian Ashcraft teams up with Osaka artist Hori Benny to tackle a traditionally dense subject and make it accessible to everyone. While there are other books covering the subject, this is easily the most approachable. The book is available in digital and paperback formats; for the purposes of this view, I relied mostly on my paperback copy. That said, one advantage of the digital version is that you can zoom in on the photos. However, this doesn't take away from the paperback version, which is printed in full colour on good quality paper. Inside, the text is immediately engaging. The introduction is extensive, providing background on the history and culture of tattoos, and how the latter has changed. This makes a solid foundation for first chapter, which covers kanji tattoos and takes the reader much further back than they might expect! Did you know that before being used for punishment, tattoos could denote rank, or social status? That they were sometimes used to mark pledges, or to identify fallen warriors? Or maybe you're looking to get a kanji tattoo, yourself--advice on that can be found here, too. The next three chapters cover other designs and motifs common to the artform. Every example is provided with an in-depth explanation of its significance and history, complete with pictorial examples. Often, idiosyncrasies of language that might be lost on a non-native speaker are brought to light. Instead of dry exposition that would leave some simply skimming through the photos, you have passionate writing that seeks to share information written in such a fashion that you can't help but feel the authors want you to develop the same enthusiasm they already have. The fifth chapter, The Full Bodysuit, is best described in its own introductory text: "The bodysuit is the fullest expression of irezumi." Once again, any preconceptions the reader might have are challenged, here. The different types of bodysuit are explored (yes, there are several!), their layouts and borders. When the entire body is being used as a canvas, everything has meaning. The sixth and final chapter covers how tattoos and even the methods of tattooing have changed over time. As patterns and styles were passed down from master to apprentice, new designs have flourished along classic motifs, while still adhering to the rules of irezumi. Geek tattoos (also known as otatoo, a word coined by co-author Hori Benny) began to appear in the past few decades, while still reflecting the values and interests of modern life. While not a section unto itself, I also appreciated the tattooist and client profiles scattered throughout the book. More than any other, this is an industry and artform that requires people. I think that's what makes this book so special. All of the parts come together to show that this is a living, storied art made possible by the lives dedicated to it. Japanese Tattoos: History * Culture * Design brings you into that world. ### ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ I thought this was an excellent book that explained the history and cultural relevance of ... *by B***R on August 23, 2016* I thought this was an excellent book that explained the history and cultural relevance of Japanese tattoos and how they and the state of tattooing in Japan is evolving today. It has beautiful photos, interesting 1-2 page profiles of different artists and clients, and is very well written. Incredibly useful for anything interested in the art of Japanese tattoos or thinking of getting one. This book might save you from some common mistakes and lead you to a more interesting design! ### ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Excellent item arrived right on schedule! *by G***E on May 28, 2025* Excellent item arrived right on schedule! ## Frequently Bought Together - Japanese Tattoos: History * Culture * Design - Japanese Tattoos: Meanings, Shapes and Motifs - Bushido: Legacies of the Japanese Tattoo --- ## Why Shop on Desertcart? - 🛒 **Trusted by 1.3+ Million Shoppers** — Serving international shoppers since 2016 - 🌍 **Shop Globally** — Access 737+ million products across 21 categories - 💰 **No Hidden Fees** — All customs, duties, and taxes included in the price - 🔄 **15-Day Free Returns** — Hassle-free returns (30 days for PRO members) - 🔒 **Secure Payments** — Trusted payment options with buyer protection - ⭐ **TrustPilot Rated 4.5/5** — Based on 8,000+ happy customer reviews **Shop now:** [https://www.desertcart.com.ar/products/30699082-japanese-tattoos-history-culture-design](https://www.desertcart.com.ar/products/30699082-japanese-tattoos-history-culture-design) --- *Product available on Desertcart Argentina* *Store origin: AR* *Last updated: 2026-05-23*