About the author
Takahiro Kitamura, known professionally as Horitaka, is a tattoo artist and co-owner of the State of Grace tattoo studio in San Jose, California, specializing in traditional Japanese-style tattooing. He is the author of two books published by Schiffer Publishing, Tattooing from Japan to the West: Horitaka Interviews Contemporary Artists and Bushido: Legacies of Japanese Tattoos. The first collects interviews and photographs from twenty-six contemporary tattoo artists working in or influenced by the Japanese tradition, including figures such as Horiyoshi III and Don Ed Hardy. Bushido examines the Samurai code as it is reflected in the imagery and social conventions of Japanese tattooing. Both books combine documentary photography with interview material and are aimed at readers interested in tattoo history and the traditional Japanese style specifically, rather than tattooing in general.
📖 Where to start with Takahiro Kitamura
💬 What our editors say about Takahiro Kitamura's books
“Kitamura delivers a stunning visual encyclopedia that successfully maps the trajectory of tattooing through rare artist dialogues. The sheer volume of color photography provides an immersive experience, showcasing diverse styles…”
Esoterica Books editorial team, Occult literature desk · on Tattooing from Japan to the West: Horitaka Interviews Contemporary Artists
“This volume succeeds as both an art book and a cultural study, illuminating the spiritual weight behind traditional Japanese tattooing through Takahiro Kitamura’s unique perspective as apprentice and client. The inclusion of over…”
Esoterica Books editorial team, Occult literature desk · on Bushido: Legacies of Japanese Tattoos
