Journal Entry No. 1

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Every artist has a beginning.

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Mine started with a single magazine.

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When I was 17 years old, I opened a copy of Skin & Ink magazine and came across an article featuring the work of the legendary Japanese tattoo master Horiyoshi III.

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At first, I wasn't simply looking at tattoos.

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I was looking at complete works of art.

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The dragons, koi, flowers, and backgrounds didn't appear to be separate designs. They flowed effortlessly across the body, moving with the muscles and natural contours as though they had always belonged there.

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I had never seen anything like it.

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In that moment, something changed.

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I realized tattooing could be much more than placing images on skin. It could become storytelling, movement, composition, and a lifelong pursuit of craftsmanship.

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That discovery led me to begin tattooing at a young age and to immerse myself in studying traditional Japanese design. I spent countless hours drawing, learning, and searching for a deeper understanding of the principles that make Japanese Irezumi unlike any other tattoo tradition in the world.

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My journey eventually carried me west—from the mainland to Las Vegas, and ultimately to Hawaiʻi, where my proximity to Japan and the many cultures of the Pacific gave me opportunities to continue learning and growing.

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Over the past three decades, I've dedicated my life to studying Japanese Irezumi and Traditional Tebori. That path has taken me to Yokohama, Japan, where I have continued learning while receiving my own backpiece, front, and right sleeve from my Sensei, Horiyoshi III.

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Receiving the artist name Horiyume from my Sensei is a responsibility I carry with humility. It reminds me every day that learning never ends, and that honoring tradition requires continual dedication, respect, and growth.

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Looking back, it's remarkable to think that one magazine could alter the course of an entire life.

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That single moment became a lifelong commitment to Japanese Irezumi.

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Today, every collector who sits in my chair becomes part of that journey.

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Every consultation begins with a conversation.

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Every sketch begins with intention.

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Every tattoo is designed to become more than artwork.

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My hope is that each piece I create reflects not only the traditions that inspired me, but also the unique story of the person who wears it.

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Perhaps one day, a collector will look at their completed sleeve or bodysuit and experience the same feeling I had at seventeen years old—the realization that a tattoo can be much more than an image.

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It can become part of who we are.

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— Horiyume

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"Respect the Tradition. Honor the Craft. Wear the Story."

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Authentic Japanese Irezumi

Preserving Tradition . Honoring Culture

Creating Legacy