Tattooing is a reflection of the basic human desire to decorate the body, and tattoos have held many different meanings throughout history. The practice has existed since ancient Egypt, and in our society has become a popular way for people to express themselves. Tattoo presents hundreds of photographs documenting the highly complex ritual tattoos of various subcultures and the fantastic designs of modern tattoo artists.

The Samurai spirit, Bushido, is an integral component of Japanese tattooing that is traced through the imagery and interpersonal dynamics of this veiled subculture. This is based largely on Takahiro Kitamuras experiences as client and student of the famed Japanese tattoo master, Horiyoshi III. Over 200 beautiful photos by Jai Tanju capture the breathtaking tattoo artistry of Horiyoshi III. Including five original unpublished prints by Horiyoshi III.

Here is a glimpse of Japan's urbane youth culture, proudly creating and wearing this ever changing art form. Over 530 color photos display Japanese tattoos, from traditional full-body forms replete with classical images steeped in symbolism, including Horimono, to modern One-Point style, heavily influenced by Western culture. Including personal interviews and stories of Japanese masters, including Senseis Horihide, Horiyoshi III, Horitoshi I, Horiyasu, and Horikoi.

Here are interviews with 26 leading contemporary tattoo artists, like Don Ed Hardy, Doc Forest, Horiyoshi III, Paul Jeffries, Bob Roberts, and Mike Malone, and over 425 color photos. These pioneers shed light on the tattoo's evolution from a sub-cultural phenomenon to a mainstream trend, and explore tattooing as a "finer" art form. The artwork runs the gamut, from full Japanese body suits to traditional Americana hearts and roses. Including some of the best, established contemporary tattoo artists like Freddy Corbin, Theo Jak, Grime, Scott Sylvia, Chris Garver, and Horitomo.

This book conveys the richness of the history of tattooing from antiquity to the present day presenting an overall picture with of the tattoo history and practices of the seven continents. By combining empirical history, powerful cultural analysis, and a highly readable style, the author adds an important step to the ongoing effort of writing a meaningful cultural history of tattooing.

Containing 250 tattoo designs, the best of O'Connell's 3 sets of tattoo flash titled Stewed, Screwed and Tattooed (2001), Done While Drunk (2002), and From the Bottom of the Barrel (2006). Each limited edition set sold for $100, and is now out of print. This book collects all the images in one easy-to-flip-through book. Mitch O'Connell's art is reminiscent of the Old School tattoo art, from masters such as Sailor Jerry Collins and Don Ed Hardy, but uses more contemporary themes with a distinctive style.

An exhaustingly thorough, lavishly illustrated collection of historical records of tattooing throughout the world, from ancient times to the present. Collected together in one place are texts by explorers, journalists, physicians, psychiatrists, anthropologists, scholars, novelists, criminologists, and tattoo artists. A brief essay sets each chapter in historical context.

Seven years, seven continents, and thirty countries, from the African Savannah to Los Angeles, New Zealand, Egypt, Brazil to Burkina Faso, Chris Rainier documents the traditions of tattooing, scarification, piercing, and other forms of body altering art, the origins of which date back to the dawn of humankind. Ancient Marks reveals the haunting beauty of these often mystical forms and connects them to humanity's enduring efforts to tell stories, forge identity, and create links to the divine.

Previously considered the domain of bikers and a rite of passage in the army, tattoos have crawled out of society's fringes and into contemporary society. While still risque enough to raise a mother-in-law's eyebrow, tattoos have come to be one of the most popular forms of personal expression. This brings together some of the most erotic, humorous, and vivid fiction, essays, and poetry that explore the mysterious fascination and the intensity of emotion attached to the act of being tattooed.

In Japan, tattoos are primarily associated with the yakuza organized crime. The book discusses the artistic influences on these designs. It profiles tattoo artist Horikazu and includes numerous examples of his sketches and work, with explanations of Japanese motifs and techniques. It covers the history of the Asakusa temple complex and the Sanja Matsuri, the Shinto festival held in Asakusa which showcases full body-suit tattoos adorning members of the various yakuza gangs in the district.

In New York City the electric tattoo machine was developed, and has had a unique influence in modern tattooing worldwide. The technical and artistic values that first coalesced here during the early 20th century now are intrinsic to the art form. This creative process was pushed underground in the early 1960s when tattooing was banned in New York. After 35 years of marginalization, the city re-legalized tattooing in 1997 in response to the unprecedented surge in public enthusiasm and demand.

Tattoo artist Takahiro Kitamura discusses Japanese tattoo art in the context of Ukiyo-e, concentrating on the parallel histories of the woodblock print and the tattoo. High quality illustrations show the tattoo as highly reliant on & linked to the woodblock print. Typical Ukiyo-e motifs in the Japanese tattoo are discussed and illustrated by the original Japanese prints, sketches, drawings and tattoos by tattoo master Horiyoshi III.

This classic of ethnography describes Maori tattooing (moko), which communicates the bearer's genealogy, tribal affiliation, and spirituality. This definitive study relates how moko first became known to Europeans and discusses the distinctions between men and women's moko, patterns and designs, and moko in legend and song. Features 180 black-and-white illustrations.

This classic of ethnography describes Maori tattooing (moko), which communicates the bearer's genealogy, tribal affiliation, and spirituality. This definitive study relates how moko first became known to Europeans and discusses the distinctions between men and women's moko, patterns and designs, and moko in legend and song. Features 180 black-and-white illustrations.

Traditional tattooing designs are depicted from the exotic Pacific Polynesian cultures of Easter Island, Hawaii, the Marquesas, New Zealand, Samoa, Tahiti and Tonga. The actual process and ceremonies involved in tattooing are described and illustrated with over 250 drawings and color illustrations of native people. Included are actual 19th century photographs as well as early exploration art, paintings, drawings, engravings, and artifacts all relating to tattooing.

Intricate geometric designs distinguish traditional Hawaiian tattoos from other Polynesian tattooing. Hawaiian tattoo explores the origins, practice and significant of this ancient, wearable art form. With historical photos and pen and ink drawings. It covers Hawaiian tattoo history, techniques and terminology, designs and their origins, evolution, and also has a bibliography.

This 1994 book provides an excellent overview of modern American tattooing. Berndt's photos are what make this book, and the collections are well grouped. Sections include tribal, painting, portraits, imagination, fantasy, neotraditional, and "all the rest." This is tattooing as post-modern art, with tons of art school influences and present-day tribal interpretations throughout.

This is a unique treatise on the history, practice, and art of tattooing, whether in the military, prisons, tribal rituals, or far-off lands. Enhanced with illustrations from the C.W. Eldridge Tattoo Archive and the Triangle Museum, this book balances its unique history with fascinating vignettes ranging from the ethics of responsible tattooing, to dealing with modern-day social stigma attached to tattooing, to a variety of amazing and colorful tattooing anecdotes.