Horihiro at work in his Tokyo studio. Photo: Michael Crommett
Tebori artists make their own tools, securing needles to a bamboo support in configurations kept secret. Photo: Michael Crommett
WATERCOLOR STUDIES OF JIRAIYA (LEFT), THE TOAD-RIDING HERO OF JAPANESE LEGEND, AND SAGINOIKE HEIKURO, ONE OF THE 108 HEROES OF THE SUIKODEN. PHOTOS: HORIHIRO MITOMO
IN PROGRESS, A DESIGN FROM THE CLASSIC TALE, SUIKODEN. Photo: MICHAEL CROMMETT
IN TEBORI TATTOOING, NEEDLES ARE INSERTED DIAGONALLY. Photo: MICHAEL CROMMETT
TEBORI ARTISTS USE TRADITIONAL INK MADE FROM NATURAL INGREDIENTS. Photo: MICHAEL CROMMETT
HORIHIRO EXAMINES A PHOTOGRAPH OF A CHOYUKAI PILGRIMAGE MADE MORE THAN HALF A CENTURY AGO. Photo: MICHAEL CROMMETT
COMPLETING A HORIMONO TATTOO REQUIRES DOZENS OF SESSIONS OVER MANY MONTHS. Photo: MICHAEL CROMMETT