For those deeply drawn to the world of tattooing, the allure of traditional methods often holds a special fascination. Among these time-honored techniques, Tebori stands out as a captivating example. Contrary to common misconceptions, Tebori, the Japanese method of hand-poked tattooing, isn’t necessarily more painful or slower than modern machine tattooing. In fact, many find it to be a gentler process, leading to less discomfort, bleeding, and trauma to the skin. This results in tattoos that often heal more quickly and with less scabbing, making Tebori a truly remarkable art form.
Tebori tattoo artist at work
The Rich History and Tradition of Tebori
Tebori boasts a profound history and tradition within Japanese culture. Until relatively recently, within the last four decades, all tattooing in Japan was executed by hand, encompassing everything from expansive bodysuit tattoos to delicate, single-point floral designs. Even today, a significant portion of traditional Japanese tattoo artists continue to employ hand-poked techniques, particularly for coloring and black shading, while sometimes incorporating modern machines for achieving crisp, solid outlines. While a dedicated few artisans still meticulously create entire tattoos, including linework, by hand, this practice is becoming increasingly rare, facing the unfortunate reality of a diminishing art form.
Close-up of Tebori needles and ink
The Japanese tradition of Tebori is deeply intertwined with the esteemed Japanese crafts of woodblock carving and printing. Intriguingly, artisans in both tattooing and carving share the title ‘Horishi,’ meaning ‘carvers.’ The term Tebori itself translates to ‘hand carve,’ aptly describing the tattooing process where skin is treated akin to a wood block being prepared for a print. This close relationship suggests that in the Edo period of Japan, many woodblock printmakers and carvers, skilled ‘Horishi’, were also tattoo artists in their own right. The legendary Kuniyoshi, a celebrated artist from the Edo era, is a prime example of a figure believed to have excelled as both a woodblock artist and a Horishi in the tattoo world.
Traditional Japanese Tebori tattoo tools
The Unique Qualities of Tebori Tattooing
While modern tattoo machines, wielded by highly skilled artists, can achieve incredibly fine and precise details, Tebori offers a distinct set of aesthetic and experiential advantages. Tebori Tattoos are renowned for their deeply saturated color, resulting in a unique visual depth and feel that differs significantly from machine-made tattoos. Beyond the visual aspects, Tebori carries an undeniable authenticity rooted in tradition. Furthermore, when performed by a proficient Tebori artist, the time required to complete a hand-poked tattoo is often comparable to that of a machine tattoo.
Large scale Tebori tattoo in progress
Tebori Tools and Techniques: Efficiency and Comfort
Tebori tools themselves are crafted from either wood or metal, and the needles come in a diverse range of sizes and configurations, allowing for versatility in design and application. One of the surprising aspects of Tebori is its potential for speed. Tebori tattooing can be just as fast, or even faster, than machine tattooing due to the needle groupings used. While a typical needle grouping for machine coloring might range from 9 to 13 needles, Tebori needle groupings can incorporate anywhere from 11 to a remarkable 42 needles. This larger needle configuration allows for more efficient ink implantation, all while minimizing discomfort for the recipient.
Selection of Tebori needles
Tebori vs. Machine: Addressing Common Questions
What exactly is a Tebori tattoo?
Tebori is the traditional Japanese hand tattooing method. It employs a slender tool, often made of bamboo or metal, to which a grouping of needles is affixed at the tip. The tattoo is created by rhythmically and gently inserting ink into the skin using a hand-poking technique. The specific technique varies depending on whether the artist is creating lines, color, or shading.
Is Tebori more painful than a standard tattoo machine?
Contrary to expectations, most individuals report that Tebori is significantly less painful than tattooing with a machine. Despite its seemingly more intense appearance, the sensation of Tebori is often described as far less jarring. The quieter nature of the process and reduced skin trauma contribute to a more relaxed and comfortable tattoo experience, ultimately leading to a great tattoo.
What are the benefits of choosing a Tebori tattoo?
The advantages of Tebori extend beyond comfort. Less pain translates to reduced mental and physical strain, resulting in a more relaxed experience, even during longer sessions. This is in stark contrast to machine tattooing, where longer sessions can leave clients feeling drained. The hand-poked method also minimizes skin trauma, bleeding, and inflammation. This gentler approach encourages faster and more efficient healing, with less scabbing and scarring. As a result, Tebori tattoos often exhibit brighter and more vibrant ink retention. Furthermore, the thicker needles used in Tebori facilitate greater ink saturation into the skin with less effort. This efficient ink delivery contributes to the richer and more vibrant healed colors that Tebori tattoos are known for.
Does a Tebori tattoo take longer or cost more than a machine tattoo?
This is a frequently asked question. While Tebori tattoos can take longer, depending on the design’s complexity, it’s not always the case. For instance, coloring in a large, simple design like a peony flower can actually be faster with Tebori, when executed by a skilled artist. However, designs with intricate details and tighter areas might take longer with the hand-poked method. Backgrounds and background shading naturally take longer by hand, especially when creating the subtle gradients from solid black to soft grey using hand-ground Sumi ink. This meticulous process, honed over years of practice, results in breathtaking gradations of dark and light silver greys that are virtually impossible to replicate with a machine. The time difference between Tebori and machine tattooing can be likened to the distinction between a handcrafted item and a machine-made one. The inherent beauty and pride in a completely handmade piece, versus one partially created by a machine, are factors to consider when weighing the potential price difference. Ultimately, the value proposition is a personal decision.
Will a Tebori tattoo last longer than a regular tattoo?
When performed correctly by a skilled artist using quality materials, and when properly healed and protected from excessive sun exposure, all tattoos should last a lifetime. The distinguishing characteristics of a Tebori tattoo, when executed by a skilled artist, lie in the vibrancy and depth of the colors. Tebori inks often appear richer, more vibrant, deeper, and more ‘raw’ in appearance. The Tebori method, with its reduced bleeding and thicker needles, allows for a greater volume of ink to be deposited and retained beneath the skin. The technique of Tebori efficiently inserts pigment into and under the skin in a single motion, arguably more effectively than a tattoo machine’s repetitive poking. This difference in ink implantation can contribute to the perceived longevity and vibrancy of Tebori tattoo colors.
What is a Tebori hybrid tattoo?
The ‘Tebori hybrid tattoo’ is a popular approach that combines the strengths of both machine and hand-poked techniques. In this method, tattoo outlines are created using a machine for speed and precision, while the coloring and shading are meticulously applied using the Tebori hand method. This hybrid style is favored by many traditional tattoo artists worldwide, including in Japan. It allows for the clean, crisp lines achievable with a tattoo machine, combined with the traditional beauty and vibrant color saturation that Tebori hand tattooing provides – a harmonious blend of old and new. Some dedicated traditional artists, such as Horisumi, will also create the outlines by hand upon request, understanding that this extends the tattooing time.
Is Tebori the traditional Japanese way of tattooing?
Yes, Tebori is indeed the original and traditional method of Japanese tattooing, with roots stretching back to the 17th century in Japan. It’s a practice steeped in secrecy and tradition, with its own unique rituals and a somewhat closed-off world. Publicly available information about Tebori tattooing is scarce, and genuine learning typically requires a formal apprenticeship under a master. Despite the rise of modern techniques, Tebori continues to be practiced today by dedicated craftsmen in Japan and a select few other countries.
Who in Australia specializes in Tebori tattooing?
As of 2020, Horisumi Kian Forreal stands out as the leading Tebori tattoo practitioner in Australia. While other artists in Australia may explore Tebori as a part-time artistic pursuit, Horisumi is uniquely distinguished as a Japanese-trained and traditionally named tattoo artist in Australia who works exclusively by hand, full-time, in the Japanese style. Horisumi is based at Authentink Studio in Sydney, Australia.
Tebori tattoo pigment mixing
The Horisumi Tebori Method: A Commitment to Tradition and Quality
Horisumi’s Tebori method is characterized by a commitment to handmade, high-quality materials and techniques:
- Single-use handmade needles: Ensuring the highest standards of hygiene, each client receives needles crafted specifically for their tattoo.
- Stainless steel tools: Tools are rigorously autoclaved after each use, or single-use bamboo Tebori sticks are utilized.
- Imported Sumi ink: Authentic black Sumi ink sticks, imported from Japan and ground fresh daily in the studio, are used. This traditional ink has been a staple in Japanese tattooing for over 300 years.
- Hand-mixed pigments: All colors are meticulously hand-mixed in the studio by Horisumi, using basic and natural ingredients, free from acrylics, resins, and toxins.
For those seeking a consultation for a Tebori tattoo, from small designs to full bodysuits, inquiries are welcomed through the contact form.
Visit the page of Horisumi here and view his portfolio
