The Japanese Tattoo

The Japanese Tattoo by Sandi Fellman is a photographic study of irezumi, the traditional tattoo culture of Japan, as practiced among the underworld of Tokyo and Osaka. In this digital PDF edition, readers get instant download access to a rare collection of large-format Polaroid portraits and Fellman’s accompanying text.

Begun in the fall of 1982, this project documents a secretive group of men and women who transformed themselves into living works of art. This edition preserves the 1986 first edition publication, with an introduction by D.M. Thomas.

Book Overview

The Japanese Tattoo presents Sandi Fellman’s photographs of irezumi, drawn from the Yakuza underworld of Tokyo and Osaka. The images range from Japanese mythology and Kabuki theater to comic book and biker symbols. Fellman’s text explores the tattooer’s work with combinations of belief, fact, and fiction.

The book was published in 1986 by Cross River Press, Ltd., and printed in Hong Kong. This digital download includes all 57 pages of the original edition in PDF format.

What You’ll Discover Inside

• Large-format Polaroid portraits of tattooed irezumi and Yakuza members
• Tattoo imagery drawn from Japanese mythology, Kabuki theater, and contemporary biker and comic book symbols
• Fellman’s text on the tattooer’s craft, including the transfer of fleeting prayers into permanent adornment
• An introduction by D.M. Thomas
• A first edition photographic monograph from 1986
• Works by trained tattoo artists who inherit their master’s clientele and working name

Why This Book Matters

Fellman’s photographs document a cultural phenomenon virtually unknown in the West and largely hidden in Japan. The work treats tattooing as a form of artistry and dedication that transcends national boundaries. It remains a significant contribution to documentary photography and the study of Japanese social customs.

Book Details

Device Compatibility

This is a digital download, so there is no physical shipping. Access is available immediately after purchase.

The PDF is compatible with appropriate Kindle apps, tablets, desktop readers, mobile devices, and most reading applications.

FAQ

How do I access the book after purchase? You will receive an instant download link after checkout. No physical copy is shipped.

Can I read it on my Kindle or tablet? Yes, the PDF works with Kindle apps, tablets, desktop readers, and most mobile reading apps.

Is this a physical book? No, this is a digital PDF edition only.

Download The Japanese Tattoo today and explore this significant photographic document of Japan’s tattoo underworld.