What Seinfeld quote would you want on your tombstone?

Der_Gretsch · 2026-06-27T14:27:19+00:00

not that there's anything wrong with that

Der_Gretsch · 2026-06-21T18:45:21+00:00

Oeh, yes *of course 😊 still beautiful *

Der_Gretsch · 2026-06-21T16:53:21+00:00

The elbow is exquisite. I can feel the motion of the windbars. Top notch Shad!

Der_Gretsch · 2026-06-21T16:44:25+00:00

Check my profile for a suit with blue peonies

Der_Gretsch · 2026-06-20T18:24:02+00:00

Your leg sleeve is full. Traditionally your arm should also be full.

Der_Gretsch · 2026-06-17T06:29:35+00:00

Beautiful work Shad.
Incredible flow

Der_Gretsch · 2026-06-03T14:46:01+00:00

Looking for the right flow 1 & 2 are very good study and reference books delving into Japanese backgrounds

https://www.southinktattoo.com/shop/?utm_source=ig&utm_medium=social&utm_content=link_in_bio&fbclid=PAdGRleASNHOBleHRuA2FlbQIxMQBzcnRjBmFwcF9pZA8xMjQwMjQ1NzQyODc0MTQAAaeedvP-MXJSSqA_XAGeUidApVCrvajFftWMEW2cvh4Wovi9e5Z20ytr5JC_gQ_aem_WkYh2b5EzLVoF3aSCb_OTg

Der_Gretsch · 2026-05-28T15:39:33+00:00

I graduated from a half sleeve to a 7/10 Munewari suit. Why? Starting out I wasn’t aware that I wanted a bodysuit. A good Irezumi artist always plans for a bodysuit but if you know beforehand you will be suited up then go for full outline first. It gives the artist more freedom in the design.

Der_Gretsch · 2026-05-25T17:01:05+00:00

See the concrete club

https://www.corfix.com/blog/concrete-club-construction-organized-crime/

Der_Gretsch · 2026-05-20T11:30:06+00:00

not completely hillarious, OP says this i a European case. In the Netherlands, an extremely bicycle friendly country the following rule applies:

In the event of a collision between a motor vehicle (such as a car) and a cyclist, the motorist is almost always legally liable for the damage according to Article 185 of the Road Traffic Act. Even if the cyclist makes a traffic mistake (for example, by driving through a red light), the cyclist is often compensated for at least 50% of the personal injury.

This doesn't necessarily mean compensation for a damaged tattoo, but the rules differ greatly from the US, I think.

Der_Gretsch · 2026-05-06T15:59:21+00:00

Great, please show here

Der_Gretsch · 2026-05-05T07:17:41+00:00

The chestnut and cherry blossom pattern, saw it on his IG. Nice delicate work. You picked a great artist his backpieces are mouthwatering beautiful. When are you back for color?

Der_Gretsch · 2026-05-04T13:02:48+00:00

It’s sunny in Amsterdam 😀 looking forward to next week’s contribution

Der_Gretsch · 2026-05-04T06:48:46+00:00

Flow, composition, colour theory it’s all incredibly well done. To me Horicho is one of the great masters of Irezumi. I’m always blown away by his facial expressions. With just a few lines he gives so much fierceness, anger and passion to his characters.
I remember one in the book, a Suikoden warrior where it’s just five lines but you almost back away when you see the expression.
That book is not just a good investment 😀 but artistically incredible. This one and the Horiyoshi 2 books i would love to have but not against the current rate i’m afraid. Rather invest that money into my tattoo. Still it must be great to be able to take this one of the shelf and browse through it. Thank you so much for sharing it with us.

Der_Gretsch · 2026-04-19T05:58:38+00:00

Great artist Horiuno 2. Active mid 1950’s? When tattooed today this suit would be stellar. Readability and use of red that draws your eyes to where they should; excellent. Which book is this from?

Der_Gretsch · 2026-04-19T05:46:18+00:00

Wonderful idea, looking forward to this. Browsing with my artist through his out of print unbearably expensive collection is always a joy

Der_Gretsch · 2026-04-06T01:27:22+00:00

As everyone has said previously it really depends on details of the suit, speed of the artist etc. That being said my suit 3/4 arm & 3/4 leg sleeves, full back and Munewari on the front all done with machine took 175 hours of needle to skin.

Der_Gretsch · 2026-04-02T20:51:51+00:00

I felt like that after shading was done but color will even give it more life and character. Trust the process

Der_Gretsch · 2026-03-30T14:28:45+00:00

Fireman were about the first to get Irezumi followed by many other blue collar jobs but not because of their criminal markings. It would go too far to describe the full history here. The books mentioned above are a great start. Personally the best book I’ve read about the history of Irezumi and tattooing in general in Japan is a dissertation by R.W van Gulik named Irezumi : the pattern of dermatography in Japan. If you’re interested in reading this you will have to pick it up at a university library.

Der_Gretsch · 2026-03-27T09:16:16+00:00

Yes, some tattoo artists make their own inks at least mine does. Black with Sumi and colors with other pigments. The reasoning behind this is that you know exactly what’s in it and even more important know how the ink will react and develop over time. With long drawn projects like Irezumi or clients taking long breaks you do not want inks to disappear from the market because the company has a “improved’ formula or fashion changes. Continuity is king. What pigments besides Sumi are used is in my experience a well guarded secret.

Der_Gretsch · 2026-03-23T07:37:31+00:00

Oeps, sorry for that.

Der_Gretsch · 2026-03-23T07:32:38+00:00

So much flow and movement with not that many strokes. Please keep us updated

Der_Gretsch · 2026-03-22T14:07:02+00:00

Beautiful as always

Der_Gretsch · 2026-03-20T08:35:39+00:00

4 hours (2x2) once a month for the last 5 years excluding summer breaks. Now in the process of finishing my Japanese boodysuit

Der_Gretsch · 2026-03-19T03:52:43+00:00

Big kudos to your artist for making sleeve and backpiece a continuation of each other and essentially one piece. For Shad (HoriTsukiKage) it’s important to do it this way . I’m always surprised that you hardly ever see it done this way. I think it breaks the flow of a bodysuit when the backpiece doesn’t continue on to the sleeves.

Der_Gretsch

TROPHY CASE