Very little is known about his life, but Ikasaki tattooed in the port of Nagasaki around the turn of the 20th century and created volumes of flash books unlike any other Japanese tattoos known to date.
Heavily influenced by Western art, Ikasaki tattooed sailors, soldiers, and travellers to the bustling port city at a time when tattooing Japanese citizens was forbidden at the height of the Meiji Restoration.
This book offers a rare look into a forgotten chapter of tattooing in Japan.
Created in collaboration with @jshdavies, @lonesomeoliviadawn, and @dquinn.tattoo, this book is a love letter to tattoo history. Over 50 pages of replica designs of O. Ikasaki's work and introduction by Dr Matt Lodder.
