Lance

Chris Brand. Check out his 108 heroes of Los Angeles work.

Oh shit @Pugilist! That's you? Didn't recognize you from his posting and perhaps I missed your post too. Wow! That's cool. Just really cool. Love it when people cap shoulders with flowers. Congratulations! There must be an LST Brian Kaneko Peony Club started.

I checked out Shige's IG, he posted a painting of it a bit back. It's "Barekijin", guardian of the horse. It's pretty similar though and still awesome. Shige was doing a tattoo of Tobatsu Bishmonten the opening day of the Exhibit though. He was working on a 3 faced 10 armed version. It was ridiculously good. I'm only guessing, but I think he may have used a couple of Hokusai image as a base. Both imagery I've seen in a Hokusai Manga book. He definitely does them proud. I wish I could get it done for my front, but for now I think it might be a bit too overpowering compared to my back subject. Maybe I'll change my mind in a few weeks.

@polliwog, if you're still a couple years out from starting, and you begin saving now, I think you'll have a good start financially. Discipline is key though. Skip a night out here or there, grand vacation ideas may become pleasant staycations, make food instead of eating out. All that junk. It's doable. Difficult at times, really difficult even, but doable. I had to change my mindset and ask myself what I really wanted. For years I wanted a tattoo but always lamented not having funds for anything. one day I realized I was actually wasting a lot of money on things that while entertaining or seemingly needed were non-essential. Also start mulling over a design now. You may find the perfect design tomorrow, or you may find yourself going through a few ideas. You may even think you found a great one, then change your mind a month or 2 later. Over time one will stick but you've plenty of time. Also some artists have long wait lists so depending on who you want to do it, you may actually have to wait a while anyway. Might as well get in with who you want rather than settle for second choices. Good luck! Back pieces are AWESOME!!!

Thanks for the info. My Buddhist & Shinto Diety knowledge sucks so this provides an interesting read today. Not that I regret my choice, cuz I totally dig mine, but in hind sight it would have been cool knowing more about Dieties and related imagery before doing my own back. I'm currently fascinated by Tobatsu Bishmonten, Repeller of foreign invaders and Protector of Capitol cities. Imagine a 3 faced Diety clad in armor with 10 arms each bearing mostly swords and other knick knacks, all the while astride a lion. A very strong image for a back piece. Hokusai did a crazy 4 faced, 12 armed version that I've been drooling over.

@introspect, that's very very cool. What Diety is this?

@Graeme, I suspect the tattoo Horitomo did is a depiction of the priest, Ikkyu. Not exclusive to only Kyosai, but he has an image or 2 depicting dancing skeletons with Priest Ikkyu and the Hell Courtesan, Jigoku Daiyu. I'm not positive it's the same client as I've only seen the pieces seperately, but I think it's a bodysuit with Ikkyu on the front and Jigoku Daiyu on his back. It makes cohesive sense and both are black/grey so I'm rationalizing it is the same Client. Couldn't figure out how to attach the image directly from my phone, but here's a link that shows an image. Third image down. http://kiritz.jp/2012/08/kawanabe-kyosai/ That said, I'm not sure if Shige's back piece is tied to any story or idea in particular.

Thanks @ironchef and @hogg. I had previously seen the site below and it's good to see that it matches the information in the link you both provided me. I always need multiple sources. Internet trust issues, right? With bonji I just wasn't sure if there was a proper vs improper way. Seems like I could do either mantra or 8 bonji seeds, although I wish the morning star mantra had an english translation so I could understand it better. As for an artist, this may be one of my few opportunities to get a little something from someone other than from Jill Bonny. The plan is she'll do my front. I'm not exactly sure who yet so that's my problem. Would hate to go in and ask for something that doesn't make sense. There are a couple choices and I have a tattoo itch. If I cave in I'm leaning towards Miyazo who's guesting in the relative LA area through November. Don't know if I can make that happen though post Convention splurge. I'm still debating the Bonji bit or mini samurai armor menpo masks around my wrists. I like the idea of a Tengu half mask and other menpo wrapping. Bonji or Juzu beads are more classic looking though. Speaking of, I believe you're right Hogg, those beads by Ichi Hatano are on the woman at his booth. I think she's a tattooer in LA. I like that one and the one by Drew Flores. Simple with solid flat shading. Kokuzo Bosatsu (Akasagarbha Bodhisattva) - Japanese Buddhist Deity of Wisdom and Memory

On a related note, does anyone have information regarding bonji around the wrists/forearm or neck? I've seen (as posted here) beads often depict bonji of a specific deity, presumably of the bearer's birth year Protector (Kokuzo Bosatsu for me). For the style where multiple bonji is depicted, is this traditionally a mantra specific to one's Buddhist Protector or is it actually bonji of all 8 Buddhist Protectors of the zodiac? I've been wanting to do something around my wrists to cap my sleeves and bonji is probably the strongest of a couple options I'm leaning towards. Any help would be appreciated. @hogg, you briefly mentioned your bonji at the convention. Any further insights? Thanks all!

Dang! That's looking incredible @ironchef.

@JoshRoss, I believe Kip Fulbeck, who photographed the Perseverance Exhibit, has a Horitomo back piece depicting Kannon paired with a dragon. It's obviously awesome. You can't go wrong with either of those ideas alone or paired together. Then again, really can you go wrong with anything Horitomo tattoos? You just know it's going to be good. Bet you can't wait till February.

@JoshRoss, that is so cool. Very clean. I've definitely got the itch right now. Very nice about Horitomo too! What are you getting?

The new set of prints are amazing! 10 brand new and 2 more which I believe must be 2nd re-printings. I got a bit too excited at The Convention this past weekend and accidentally bought them all. Oops. Guess who's not getting an iPhone 6 now.

Fun times at the Convention this year! No tattoos for me though. I missed out on Miyazo's last walk up space by 5 minutes. Doh! Thanks cvportagee, for convincing me to try to get in though. Miyazo told me he's guesting in Fontana at Espi's shop all November so... It was very cool to see @hogg, @ian, and @cvportagee again, as well as meet @CABS, @MoistTowelette, @cltattooing, @JoshRoss too. Although sadly some all too briefly. Can't wait for next year. I posted a few pics on my IG, "lgoda". And that meal with cvportagee and cabs was awesome. Some good yakitori down the street from the hotel. Mokutanya, give it a try.

@MoistTowelette, I saw you yesterday but didn't have a chance to say Hi. I'll try to swing by today. That's looking fantastic. Really works with the Jeff Gogue tattoo.

Bummer not seeing you, @beez, @Reyeslv, and @scott this year. I'll try to snap a few photos so it will almost be like all the LSTers are here.

@CABS, I'm in SF all weekend. I'll be at the Convention for sure on Saturday though it's likely I'll be there either Friday or Sunday too. Haven't decided yet. @JoshRoss, I'll be sure to swing by to check out what you're getting from Horimitsu. See everyone there. Hey @beez, are you going to be at the Convention this year? How'd the Shad tattoo go?

This weekend can't come soon enough. I'll be there. Asian guy. Long hair. Glasses. Asian man's beard. Traditional black and grey japanese tattoos. @cvportagee, dinner would be cool, I'll be on the lookout for you, and others. Otherwise for anyone I haven't met previously and sees a guy matching the description above, feel free to say Hi. I'd love to match faces to LST monikers.

@JoshRoss, interesting question. I'm kind of curious too. I know tipping talk is sometimes frowned upon here, but this is more of a cultural question. I personally hadn't realized tipping was not customary in Japan until I was flipping through a travel guide recently, and according to that, depending on the individual, could be considered insulting. I don't know how much of that should be believed though. It does sometimes make me wonder if I had unintentionally offended Horitomo when I got my feet tattooed. I suppose a gift can't hurt, but I'd also be interested to hear from people who've actually been tattooed in the situation you speak of since one day, I plan to get tattooed at this Convention. Also them being in the US rather than you being in Japan, they may have a go with the flow attitude. When in Rome after all. Did you get an appointment with Horimitsu? What day?

Yup, @Dennis at this rate you'll never be able to save up for another tattoo. Ha, I'm the same way though. They're hard to resist. @Mark Bee, don't follow in our path, slippery slope. The $$$ needs to be spent on actually tattoos

Nice progress on your back! Thanks for the link too @Kinglambert. Real interesting reading.

Nice teaser! Hopefully I'll run into you at the Convention and get to see more of it!

Brian Kaneko?!?! As @rozone says, " @hogg wins again". And again! And again! And again! And agai...

I can't remember how painful it was. I think I was so traumatized, my poor brain is blocking out the memory. Funny thing about my backpiece was that the horse outline was drawn first. I walked around for a month with the world's largest "tramp stamp". I'm so slutty ;-)

Marvelous tattoo @HaydenRose. I really like the soft color palette.