Master of Traditional Tattoos
Horiyoshi III is the leading practitioner of tebori, the time-honored Japanese art of hand-tattooing. He has risen to national and international fame.
Born Yoshihito Nakano, Horiyoshi III earned his title from his teacher, the late tebori master Yoshitsugu Muramatsu, known as Shodai Horiyoshi. After a ten-year apprenticeship, Horiyoshi III completed a full-body tattoo, meticulously hand-crafted by Shodai Horiyoshi himself.
Carrying on Tradition with a Modern Touch
Horiyoshi III’s artwork echoes the spirit of Edo period ukiyo-e prints, depicting the “floating world” with his unique style and a contemporary twist. This respect for tradition extends beyond tebori. He has recently turned his focus to creating kakejiku, traditional Japanese scroll paintings.
Using sumi ink and mineral pigments, Horiyoshi III portrays Japanese folktales, calligraphy, and religious themes. His work seamlessly blends the past, present, and future of Japanese tattoo art.
A Legacy of Tattoos
Horiyoshi III dedicates himself full-time to tattooing. He also publishes books of his drawings and co-founded Japan’s only tattoo museum in Yokohama with his wife. His artwork is even part of the permanent collection at the Morikami Museum of Art. With over four decades of experience, Horiyoshi III stands as the undisputed authority on traditional Japanese tattooing.
