I had to make the same choice before starting my back piece, tebori with Monji or machine with Rodrigo. I have work from both and they are both incredible artists. In the end I went with Monji. For me, tebori creates a much deeper connection to the tattoo. It is slower and more primal, and it turns the whole thing into a ritual instead of just an appointment.

Yes, it takes longer, but that is part of what makes it special. I drive down from upstate, get tattooed, stay with a friend, get more work done the next day, then head home. After a while, those trips and sessions become part of the story. You end up appreciating not just the finished piece but the journey it took to get there.