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Eric Inksmith's wife just posted this on Facebook Paul Rogers on Eric Inksmith 6/8/1982

Ha, I suggested it last night and I'm pretty sure she called me out on just wanting to get tattooed. SMART LADY.

Hell yeah. I woke up at 4am this morning. Ran Adams point twice and did prison workouts in the dark by the lake. I thought I was gonna get raped.

God damn, that dude looks like he could wrestle a bear, and win.

It wasn't much but I had a nice experience with Joe Capobianco at Hope Gallery in CT. I was getting tattooed by one of his co workers and it was getting late and Joe was watching a little. He was finished for the day but stuck around and brought me a drink and just kept asking if there was anything I needed or anything he could get me. Just having the great Joe C. hanging around and complimenting the tattoo and bringing me juice, etc. was real cool. I admit I was a little uncomfortable and starstruck but he was so humble and such a cool guy. Speaking of starstruck I was also getting tattooed by Shane O'Neill while he was doing a guest spot in Mass. and Bob Tyrell was there, also, ending his guest spot. Bob wasn't tattoing but sat and watched Shane (I guess they're good friends) and those two were talking about tattoing, various shops, Kid Rock possibly buying into Bob's place, etc. Having Bob compliment my tattoo and shake my hand and just have a normal, friendly converstion was pretty cool to me. It may not mean much to some people here but for me it was a special experience.

I hate running. So, team LST?

If a fight breaks out in the random picture thread i'm going to be pretty sad. Guys, THIS IS THE RANDOM PHOTO THREAD. We have been posting exactly that. No one should be taking offence to anyone else's photos. Get the fuck over it. It's a random photo you happen to not like. So just don't click the like button and the post a photo you do like to make it all better. There's no point in anyone saying this picture belong and this one doesn't, that makes it the not so random thread of photos that are totally PC and won't offend anyone. Get the fuck over it. This message is not directed at any one person. I like you all.

This is my best friend George and his grandpa-90years -old sailor- his tattoos are 65 years old and i ll try to have some close pics but the guy is not so easy :) I m very proud that he is wearing my shops t shirt.

I need to stop reading this thread. I want to start on my torso soon and keep coming back to this thread reading it over and over getting sicker feeling with each reading. My palms are sweating as I type this. I just have to remember each time I get tattooed its not as bad as I think it will be.

Just saw this on http://www.theboldwillhold.com/: Wow.

If the original post was asking for info about the politics of the Japanese tattoo world in itself (their drama within their own tattoo culture, tattoo families etc), I apologize in advance for this long post about having tattoos in Japan. I've spent a lot of time in Japan, most of it centered around tattoo-related things. I've tattooed there a good amount, as have many of my friends. I work with a japanese tattooer who specializes in their traditional style of tattooing, working with machine and by hand. Both of us have been tattooed by Horiyoshi 3 extensively, by hand in Yokohama, which puts you right in the middle of where tattooing intersects with the underworld in their culture (Juan could also talk a lot about that I'm sure, having managed to get dozens of Yakuza naked and photograph them). We talk about this stuff all the time, and I've also had many hours of lengthy discussions with other tattooers who've spent way more time in Japan than I have, pre-dating the Japanese "open" tattoo scene that they have now; as well as years of talking to Japanese friends who live here and there. Given all that, I don't see any reason why people shouldn't discuss this publicly. In fact, I'd say it SHOULD be discussed, so tattooed people who'd like to go to Japan can have an idea about how to behave/what to expect/basic rules of thumb for services etc that might be effected by your having tattoos. I had a customer telling people the other day "you don't show a KOI tattoo in japan!!" which, while at least sensitive, is a little extreme and oversimplified. The above links have really good info. One of the best snippets I found was roughly "in Japan, the Yakuza are never far". That's really true, but not in the way you might think. In Japan, organized crime is an accepted part of the culture, and frequently they are involved in business that comes into contact with regular people (construction, high-interest cash loans which are very popular, nightclubs, property management etc). A friend of mine's elderly mother needed the roof on her house replaced: she got a bid of around $20,000, contracted the company to do it, paid them, and they stole her money. Although her deceased husband had once been the mayor of the town they live in, she was powerless to do anything. It's not like here where as long as you're pretty much not trying to deal large amounts of drugs on the street, or walking around in the ghetto dressed like 2-pac, gangs are pretty much going to leave you alone, because you're not moving in their world. In Japan, the Yakuza make their living off the normal people (as I understand it), so there's always the threat that ordinary people might have to deal with them. There are magazines you can buy at 7-11 in Japan that are basically like "Yakuza Weekly", it's that accepted. One of the famous ones is called "Document" This intimidation is where a lot of their power comes from, from what I can tell. Japan is a very "polite" society, where fitting in is stressed to a degree that we can't comprehend. People are quiet for the most part, humble, keep to themselves. The idea of a thug coming into a small business and making a commotion (most indoor spaces in Japan are small) by shouting or simply threatening to make a scene is intimidating enough that most business owners would want to pay money, monthly, to avoid such a mess. Every street tattoo shop in Japan I've ever asked pays these kind of fees, as I'm sure many, many businesses do. Even extremely well connected people I've met still pay, just heavily reduced amounts. Asian culture in general is just so much more homogenous than life as we know it, to stand out at all is to really draw attention to one's self. So tattoos not only go against the grain in the larger social sense, but they're also something that touches the ever present "yakuza" nerve in the minds of much of the population. It's like a double whammy for a largely mild-mannered people. An easy way to think about it is imagine being at the library with your kid, or at a restaurant, and seeing some guy walk in with "MS13" or "Slauson Crips" tattooed very visibly on his neck; would make most normal people uncomfortable. In Japan, to SOME people, it doesn't matter if you've got My Little Pony on your arm and you're as white as Howdy Doody, if you're showing a tattoo in public, you're a thug, and probably a criminal. I've had little old men come up to me and call me a Yakuza, and even after I explained in Japanese that I'm not Japanese so I can't be Yakuza (which isn't really true anymore), they just keep pointing at the tattoos and saying "Yakuza, Yakuza..." But keep in mind, that's the exception. In Japan, pretty much anyone who's not Japanese is seen as kind of a monkey anyway, so even without tattoos, there're going to be things they don't want you doing/participating in. I've gotten dirty looks without anything showing in a Bob Dylan themed bar for merely invading their little world. But I've also been shown enormous kindness with a lot of skin showing by elderly people. Kind of like here, I find young adults and middle aged people tend to be most offended, while kids, teenagers, and the old & elderly are usually interested or inquisitive about foreigners and/or tattoos. I've also seen many Japanese people showing tattoos in public, even very traditional ones. I'd be happy to answer any questions that I can, but in general: In Japan, many people live in tiny apartments that don't have a bathroom or even a toilet, let alone a shower (imagine living in a bed & breakfast with no shower). Many people who do have the square, deep traditional baths big enough for one in Japan will acutally re-heat bath water for themselves to save water & heating costs. Because of these constraints, and because it's so nice, the "Sento" or public bath is still very popular. Sento are kind of like an indoor public pool, but it's a bathhouse which has a separate side for men and women. There are little faucets with very hot water that you sit in front of on a stool, next to other people doing the same. Here you wash yourself with soap before getting into the very hot bath, which is usually big enough for 3-6 people. There are also showers, but the real fun is the bath, which feels amazing (there's usually an even hotter one right next to it). Sento is everyone's basic right, to take a bath, so it doesn't matter how many tattoos you have, you're welcome. When you hear japanese tattooers talking about seeing tattoos for the first time in the bathhouse, they mean Sento, not Onsen. Onsen are the natural hot springs scattered all throughout Japan, almost all of them have minerals that good for your health. Usually there's some kind of facility built up around them, whether it's a huge wooden building, a hotel, a rustic retreat, or even just a vessel that looks like a swimming pool. Some onsen are outdoor, some indoor, some co-ed, some public, some private. Unlike Sento, Onsen is a luxury activity, and a source of much national pride. It's like going to a spa here, many elderly people and families are on vacation, tour groups have chartered busses, schools are taking class trips etc. They want to enjoy the scenery relax, deeply, and they're naked in public (all Sento and Onsen are nude all the time). They don't wanna see Scott asking them to scoot over in some language they don't understand. Therefore, many Onsen don't allow tattooed people, they figure "why bother trying to sort out the good tattooed people from the bad, all Yakuza are bad, period, and many Yakuza have tattoos". If you want to enjoy Onsen, I'd say look for those that are more rural and private, not too fancy, connected to a hotel or inn. I've only been to a few, and the ones I know don't allow tattoos tend to be some of the most famous and beautiful. But I HAVE enjoyed seeing snow fall in ultra hot water under the night air with many naked tattooed guys, so it can be done. Hotels AFAIK don't turn away anyone, all have private baths. Some have Sento or "rooftop Onsen" which are nice and usually small, so you dhouldn't be shy about using them. Capsule hotels seem to be the exception, as they have a kind of Sento only, and since they're located in nightlife heavy areas, that means many Yakuza, so they don't want tattooed people in the public bath inside. Many nightclubs in Japan have specific "rules" which, as a monkey, they're going to think you of course don't understand; so you might get turned away, even if you're with a Japanese person, but not always. In Japan, just be polite, bow your head a little to people, say "Sumimasen" if you say nothing else (excuse me), and put soy sauce on your rice if you want, you're an American. anyway, I typed a lot & I wanna do something else, but happy to help anyone who has a question if I can

Yesterday my friend started his epic-ly massive Phoenix (armpit to half-thigh) over at Invisible NYC by GR. I decided to stop by after work since I close by and he could give me a ride home after. I do have to say that, this is one nice shop! Everyone there was very friendly and my friends tattoo is coming out amazing so far. While I was there watching I ended up talking to Eric Machalovic www.myspace.com/ericmichalovic outside. After talking about tattoos for a little bit I signed up to get one by him. (I getting a tradition skull). I do have to say I loved this shop enough that I will try to get work by everyone there. Just thought I'd share my experience! Anyone else have any good experiences?

I realise this thread has sort of died, but incase anyone wants to see what a Sento looks like here are some photos. My friends Grandpa operated the bath house until the area got a built up and a bit more modern (houses started to get their own baths) and closed it. Its still connected to his house though and thats where we showered. His grandson (my mate) mentioned to me that his grandpa was the only sento owner in the area that would let Yakuza in since most of them where his friends since childhood. I wish I could get copies of some of his old photos! I'll be back in Osaka/Kyoto in 3 weeks to visit The Cat Claw Tattoo-z so I'll try and get copies of Grandpas' old yakuza photos. Photo 3 is the 'Male side' of the bath house (sorry for the bad light)

The bear probably wouldn't even put up a fight. He'd just say "Thats one tough mudder"

I've had almost all my work done at the same studio, by the same artist. We get on really well, and I love going up there. As silly as it sounds, it feels a bit like visiting really good friends you don't get to see very often, rather than a tattoo studio. It does make me quite dull in that I don't have lots of different artist stories though! Its always really interesting if I go just after one of the big conventions (Paradise etc), as he'll tell me all about it from an artist perspective - its like a little view into a complete different world, and he's a way of describing events and people that make you feel like you were there, even though I've only ever read about most of the people he mentions. It's fascinating. I feel quite priviledged anyway as I get to be a very small part in the minture world of the studio - as well as the people who work there, there are the other "regular" clients and the "friends" of the studio who come in to pass the time, and kinda make the studio the place it is. I feel like part of it, and having someone you haven't seen for a while come over and have a chat really can take your mind off a particularly painful spot! The only problem is, I fear I'm spoilt now. I'm actually braving another studio in October and I'm actually really nervous about going somewhere else where I'm just going to be a one off customer who doesn't know anyone etc etc. But he's one of the few artists whose work I really really want on me, so I'll go and hopefully it won't be that bad...

Feeeeeccckkkk. I'm still gonna do it. It's practically a sickness. YES I CAN! :)

ain't nothing wrong with that

you and your gal should just move out here.

I used to collect toys- I had almost every Transformer ever made and a ton of prototypes too...sold them all after I realized it was an obsession and I didnt so much enjoy it as felt like I had to... I've also had huge amounts of guitar equipment but I'm down to 2 guitars and a Roland JC and some effects that I never use anymore

^^^exactly!! nothing is fukking sacred anymore

Speaking of: Sol Invictus « Occult Vibrations

I love that coin collection. There are coins from places I'd never even heard of and I remember there was one from an island that had since been renamed or made part of a bigger country or something. @Rory it took the husband 5 years to make a dent in the book hording. I've started shipping books out to family members in what we call the "traveling library". When someone finishes one they sign the cover and send it to the next person. Last person donates the book to a senior center, hosipital or library. Bad thing is I bring in so many that my collection never really shrinks, but it keeps it from growing. Then there are the books I refuse to let go of because I like them. There's a lot of those... A guy I work with had to have his floors reinforced to handle the weight of all the books he has. He has two rooms with floor to ceiling bookshelve. He's my hero.

I don't collect books, I horde them. I have 5 bookshelves full now, with more in boxes. It doesn't help that I've worked in the book industry in some form for most of my employement. Anyone need some random paperbacks? Anyone? I collect coins and currency from around the world (US included, when they issue those special coins). The collection was started by my great grandfather when he was in the army, and then continued by my grandfather while he served. Now my grandmother and I add to it when we can. I like the coins best.

While watching the excellent Freedy Corbin tattoo in blog, my ears perked up when he started talking about his tattooed nun from Don Ed Hardy. I really like this design concept. My first exposure to it was in old Japanese woodcut prints of tattooed samurai from the Shinpen Suikogaiden I've seen Westernized versions ranging from the Greg Irons Edith Burchett tattoo: to cholo updates like this banger from Nico Acosta at Better Days in Santiago Chile: and this awesome Red Hot from Eric Gregory at Little Vinnie's Tattoos in Baltimore, MD: Anybody else dig this?

bigjoe: geographic expert of LST all the "what's a good shop in ______?" threads should be called "Dear bigjoe" threads

But Charlie loves us all so much more.

i don't know if she did the right thing, all i know is that there is no crying in tattooing.

Got this little guy last night from Perez. HE IS SO SAD

Just got this one done. Manee Friday from Imperial Tattoo in Downtown Portland.

Wow that sounds really cool, MsRad! You'll have to keep us filled in, I really want to see it when it's done! :) Thanks about the new tattoo.. well, I say thanks, it's not like I did anything, lol. I always feel weird saying thanks when someone compliments my tattoos, it's like I'm saying thanks for someone else's work. But you know what I mean :) I love it. Didn't have a picture on my computer of my tattoo from Charlie, but thankfully everything's on the internet these days anyway. Hope this isn't too big...

Here is mine I got done 3 years ago, Adam Shrewsbury flash

Bryan Burk, great post but I just have a few questions to ask you. Most of your experience is prior to 2001 right? It just seems like your info, altho great, is a little out dated. Second question I have is you came here for taking pictures and collecting stories about horimono? Again great post, but I would just like to add (not to you Bryan), unless you living here you don't have to care about what is happening in japan. Take a vacation, fly over here, meet your horishi and get a new tattoo if you want a horimono.

Maybe at next LST dinner, if we ever get it together.