Japanese Tattoo Art Design Book Magazine Gomineko Japan

Tattoo Design Book - Flowers

Size: 7” x 10” - Pages: 150 - Published: 2008 - Price: $35 - Binding: Softcover

This book is really cool - the Tattoo Tribal guys did it again!! This book has 19 full color, full pages original art pieces by some amazing artists including Hata from Inkrat Tattoo, Makoto from Hocus Pocus, Horihito from Studio Baku, Shige from Yellow Blaze in Yokohama and Hiroyuki Cotton Pickin' and many more. Tattoo photos are clear and feature both traditional and contemporary art styles. The book includes sections devoted to Lilies, Acanthus, Roses, Clovers, Olive, Lemon, Strawberry, Sunflowers, Lillie of The Valley, Hibiscus, Cherry, Apple, Mushroom, Lotus, Paisley, Grapes. Pomegranate, Hemp, Arabesque, Japanese Cherry Blossom (sakura), Chrysanthemum, Tree Peony, Morning Glory, Willow, Red Spider Lily, Gourds, Bamboo, Pine, Ume (Japanese Plums),Iris, Maple, Camellia, Hydrangea, Orchid, Violet, Peaches, Wisteria and Japanese Playing Cards. (!!?!?!?) Over 300 color photos of amazing Japanese flower tattoos. This book is another great compilation out by the Tattoo Tribal magazine group - one of the most popular tattoo magazines here in Japan. This book is appx. 7" x 10" and 160 pages. Text is in Japanese, except for chapter introduction and some of the artists and shops. This is a great book for around the shop or personal reference.

Japanese Traditional Birds & Flowers in Outline

click for sample pages....

Size: 7” x 10” - Pages: 206 - Published: 2004 - Price: $52 - Binding: Softcover

This book is a collection of monochrone and tri-colored woodblock prints marketed for use on the outermost kimono...therefore the most detailed. It features over 120 pages of woodblock prints of predominately different birds, plants and pattern work; plus a section in the back of single line designs...again more animals and georgeous flowers. Contains images of cranes, hawks, swallows, roosters, lots of assorted plants and trees, waves, dragon, a foo dog, cat, rabbit, boats, butterflies, armor, turtles, eel, bats, cherry blossoms and more. A great book for woodblock print collectors/artists, and those interested in traditional Japanese design and patterning - this book has large inspiring images for those in need of ideas...great for tattooing.

Birds and Flowers by Ito Jakuchu

click for sample pages....

Size: 7” x 10” - Pages: 128 - Published: 2004 - Price: $45 - Binding: Softcover

This book is called Doubutzu Shokubutsu Sai Kai (loosely translated this means - animal and plant colorful pictures) and it is the best Jakuchu survey book for the buck. It includes most of his bird/flower and animal studies - nice big prints of his roosters!

Jakuchu was born in Kyoto, Japan in 1715. He is a solitary figure in the history of Japanese painting, way ahead of his time his style decorative, elaborate and daring. He remained unknown until well after his death, when he was rediscovered in the late 19th century.

Jakuchu's animals are a personal favorite....his phoenix and roosters in particular. This book includes images of ducks, his roosters, the phoenix, peacock, butterfly, cranes, many great fish, octopus (my favorite), toad, dragonflies, crickets and other insects, stingray, shells and assorted small birds...also includes a variety of trees, plants, leaves and flowers. His choice of color and attention to detail are both unique yet quintessentially Japanese. He brings subtle earth tones to life with brilliant red accents - a sun or rooster crown. His underwater scenes are equally stunning, darker yet with vivid details. This book includes full page, full color reproductions of his birds and animals, as well as separate full pages devoted to close ups of particular points of interest - a rooster head or a particularly vivid fish. Brilliant resource book and a must have for any tattoo art book collection.

1920's Images Design Book with CD-ROM

Size: 8.5” x 9” - Pages: 112 - Published: 2002 - Price: $58 - Binding: Softcover w/CD-ROM

This is the stuff your granny sported on her dresses... (or at least my g-ma did)! This is prohibition, Dorothy Parker and the vicious circle, Al Capone and the rise in popularity of Appalachian moonshine. The 20's gave the USA a personality and it is exemplified in the artwork from the period. Great images, not antiquated but definitely dated. Tiffany-esque but not the exploited stuff that you see on every stained glass lamp in Home Depot. The book is one of a series put out by a publishing house in the Netherlands and the whole series is amazing...I hope to list all of them soon. The book has introductions in English, French, Portuguese, Spanish, Italian, dutch, Japanese and Chinese....a little something for everyone! It is brand new, bought for auction and includes a WIN/MAC compatible CD-ROM of the royalty free images. It is appx. 8.5" x 8.75" and 112 pages. The designs are brilliant. Great for simple small tattoo pieces, and background work on larger pieces..show you customers what they want! Definitely for the ladies.....lots of tangerine and olive greens! .

Traditional Japanese Patterns #10
Size: 4” x 6” - Pages: 250 - Published: 2006 - Price: $25 - Binding: Softcover

This is another book in the KIMONO PATTERN DESIGN BOOK SERIES that would make a brilliant addition to anyone collecting or in need of japanese patterns and designs. Great for tattoo background work, design bases and as an idea springboard this little book boasts 250 pages of full color images of kimono and close ups of particular points of interest in design. Imagery includes flowers, waves, fans, leaves, trees, animals and birds, fish, people and architecture all taken from vintage Japanese kimono. Very cool.

Traditional Japanese Patterns #8

Size: 4” x 6” - Pages: 254 - Published: 2006 - Price: $25 - Binding: Softcover

This is another book in the KIMONO PATTERN DESIGN BOOK SERIES that would make a brilliant addition to anyone collecting or in need of japanese patterns and designs. Great for tattoo background work, design bases and as an idea springboard, this little book boasts 254 pages of basic Japanese patterns and designs. This one is unique in that it full color and has some great chrysanthemums. It also includes many images of flowers and waves, birds, fans, maple leaves, and bright outer yukata imagery....very summery. Text in Japanese. Pictures are much more vivid in the book! Really a great little find.

Traditional Japanese Patterns #9

Size: 4” x 6” - Pages: 250 - Published: 2006 - Price: $25 - Binding: Softcover

This is another book in the KIMONO PATTERN DESIGN BOOK SERIES that would make a brilliant addition to anyone collecting or in need of Japanese patterns and designs.
This one is unique in that it includes many images of swirly waves with flowers in them like you see on traditional shoulder/arm/leg tattoo pieces where long thin areas are being covered. Includes many images of flowers and waves, birds, fans, feathers, drums, plum blossoms, cherry blossoms, bamboo and traditional kimono patterns. Text in Japanese. Sorry the pics are so faint, they are much more vivid in the book! Really a great little find.

Traditional Japanese Patterns #7

Size: 4” x 6” - Pages: 187 - Published: 2006 - Price: $25 - Binding: Softcover

This is new addition to the KIMONO PATTERN DESIGN BOOK SERIES . 187 pages of full color fabric samples great for anyone interested in traditional Japanese patterning. These patterns are reminiscent of older kimono patterning - pre 1950's. Very cool imagery for background work or as a springboard for original designs. Text is minimal and in Japanese.

Traditional Japanese Patterns #6

Size: 4” x 6” - Pages: 255 - Published: 2006 - Price: $25 - Binding: Softcover

Traditional Japanese Patterns #5 (Nagajyuban)

Size: 4” x 6” - Pages: 255 - Published: 2006 - Price: $25 - Binding: Softcover

This is another book in the KIMONO PATTERN DESIGN BOOK SERIES that would make a brilliant addition to anyone collecting or in need of Japanese patterns and designs. Great for tattoo background work, design bases and as an idea springboard this little book boasts over 250 pages of full color images of patterns taken from lingerie kimono.Nagajyuban is the garment work between the kimono and underwear - brief glimpses of the Nagajyuban from the sleeve openings are considered elegant and charming. This book contains lots and lots and lots of pretty flowers, plus some great waves, birds and butterflies. This is not outline work but full color illustrations - brilliant. Text is in Japanese with an afterward in English from the publisher. Reads right to left, Japanese style.

Traditional Japanese Patterns #4
(Sakura/Cherry Blossoms)

Size: 4” x 6” - Pages: 265 - Published: 2006 - Price: $25 - Binding: Softcover

This is another book in the KIMONO PATTERN DESIGN BOOK SERIES. This book is a little gem! 265 pages of full color Japanese cherry blossom images from Japanese botanical paintings, on woodblock prints, pottery, kimono, ceramics, laquerware andprints, as well as a section of photographs of the different flowers, in different stages of bloom. Text is minimal and in Japanese. This is a great collection of designs and would be hady for anyone interested in a cherry blossom tattoo. Would be a good reference book to have around the shop and would make a welcome addition to any collection of books on Japan/Japanese culture and art.

Traditional Japanese Kimono Motif #1

Size: 6” x 8” - Pages: 205 - Published: 1989 - Price: $35 - Binding: Softcover

This is the first book in this series of kimono design reference books that would make a brilliant addition to anyone collecting or in need of Japanese patterns and designs. Lots of background ideas as well as about 100 different thumbnails of Japanese images. Text and titles all in Japanese. Really a great little find...this book is now out of print and may be out of stock.

Yuzen Graphics #2

Size: 9” x 12” - Pages: 143 - Published: 2002 - Price: $65 - Binding: Softcover

This auction is for a new copy of Yuzen Graphics 2, a great full color book of outer kimono designs and images. This book includes over 267 full color prints all appx. 2" x 4". The descriptions/text and sample headings are all in Japanese AND English so it is very user friendly. Images include butterflies, cranes, peacocks, swallows, tigers, foo dogs, onis like gods of thunder and lightning, bamboo, plum blossoms, chrysanthemums, and assorted flowers - all done in brilliant colors. This book is really good for both central image and background tattoo work and the color schematics are very eyec-atching and very Japanese. Great resource book for anyone interested in classic Japanese imagery.

More Japanese Classic Images w/CD-ROM

Size: 7” x 9” - Pages: 127 - Published: 2001 - Price: $45 - Binding: Softcover

This book is designed to help people create their own stationary/new years card...hence the inclusion of a CD-ROM. The book is a great collection of traditional Japanese imagery, all in full color. The CD-ROM allows you to play with these images, change them to monochrome designs, thicken lines and play around until you've created the exact image you're after. With some luck you'll be able to give you customer an idea of the design without having to laborously draw it out (over and over). This book includes some great images of goldfish, all sorts of flowers including mums and cherry blossom, archways, fans, men and womens kimono and fabric designs, tons of great birds - crane and hawk - sea life, Mt. Fuji scenes, dragons, foo dogs, turtles, workers, warriors, bamboo and a page each for all 12 chinese zodiac animals: dog, cock, monkey, boar, goat, horse, snake, dragon, rabbit, tiger, ox, and rat. Very cool book and a great reference book to have in the shop.

Traditional Japanese Kimono Motif #3

Size: 6” x 8” - Pages: 205 - Published: 1989 - Price: $35 - Binding: Softcover

This is the third book in this series of kimono design reference books that would make a brilliant addition to anyone collecting or in need of Japanese patterns and designs. Lots of background ideas as well as about 100 different thumbnails of Japanese images. Text and titles all in Japanese. Really a great little find.

Art Nouveau Design Book with CD-ROM

Size: 8.5” x 9” - Pages: 144 - Published: 2002 - Price: $58 - Binding: Softcover w/CD-ROM

I Love this book. It is one of a series put out by a publishing house in the Netherlands and the whole series is amazing...The book has introductions in English, French, Portuguese, Spanish, Italian, dutch, Japanese and Chinese....a little something for everyone! It includes a mac/win compatible CD-ROM of the images. Great for simple small tattoo pieces, frames and bands. This stuff will steer you as an artist and your clients as well down a new avenue of tattoo design.....these are classic pieces yet to be tapped and truly timeless. This book is a great springboard for tattoo ideas and will be a welcome addition to any individual or shop collection.

Japanese Classic Images w/CD-ROM

Size: 7 x 9 - Pages: 143 - Published: 2002 - Price: $45 - Binding: Softcover

This book is designed to help people create their own stationary/new years card...hence the inclusion of a CD-ROM. The book is a great collection of traditional Japanese imagery, all in full color. The CD-ROM allows you to play with these images, change them to monochrome designs, thicken lines and play around until you've created the exact image you're after. With some luck you'll be able to give you customer an idea of the design without having to laborously draw it out (over and over). This book includes 120 pages of full color images of primarily animals, plants and people. Included are Japanese-esque renditions of frog, fish, crab, waves, deer, squirrel, fox, pig, raccoon, cats, cranes, peacock, hawks, owl, swallows, geese, duck, assorted smaller birds, bijin (beauties in kimono), fruit and some vegetables, cherry and plum blossoms, chrysanthemums, red maple leaves, sunflowers, 2 pages of each of the 12 chinese zodiac animals: dog, cock, monkey, boar, goat, horse, snake, dragon, rabbit, tiger, ox, and rat. Foo dogs, the gods of thunder and wind, shrimp, lunch boxes, kites, noh mask, moon, Mt. Fuji, and background patterns featuring flowers and waves....this book has it all!!! Includes a section on Hiragana symbols as well. The images are brilliant, making this volume a great addition to anyone collection traditional Japanese imagery.

Traditional Japanese Images w/CD-ROM

Size: 7” x 7” - Pages: 146 - Published: 2007 - Price: $48 - Binding: Softcover

This auction is for a new copy of Japanese Traditional Pattern collection 300. This is a great resource book - 146 pages of color imagery as well as text in both Japanese and English. It includes helpful comments on Japanese symbolism for many of the images. The book includes a Mac OS/Windows and Adobe Photoshop CD-ROM with 300 jpeg....really fun for those of you who are designing via computers! The images include: cherry blossom, wisteria, tree peony, spring grass, hydrangea, iris, morning glory, lotus, iris reed, chrysanthemum, maple tree, autumn flowers, japanese plum, camellia, daffodils, lily, pine, bamboo, bamboo grass, small plum, melon, mandarin orange, grain, fruit, acorn, waves, streams, clouds, snow, thunder, mountain and water, ivy, arabesque, floral and gourd arabesque, crane, goose, sparrow, heron, mandarin duck, carp, goldfish, butterfly, cicada, cricket, dragonfly, turtle, umbrella, folding fan and treasure as well as tons of assorted pattern work. Really pretty traditional images.

Hokusai Sketchbook - Animals & Plants

Size: 6” x 8” - Pages: 282 - Published: 1998 - Price: $45 - Binding: Softcover

Hokusai is probably the most well known of ukiyo-e "pictures of the floating world" artists. You know his stuff...he did the Thirty-Six Views of Mount Fuji (circa 1826-33) - amazing waves..... This is a volume of his Aminals and Plants sketches - a brilliant traditional Japanese imagery reference book. Text in English and Japanese, B&W images including people, seals, weasels, dogs, cats, wild boar, rabbits, ox, cows, horses, (riders) Kappa (Japanese mythological creature), Japanese fox, bear, BRILLIANT FOO DOGS!!, rhinos, bats, monkeys, deer, fiery horse, elephants, dragons, tigers, raccoon dogs, mice, tapir, baboon, goat, squirrel, donkey, nightinggale, mandarin ducks, geese, cranes, pheasants, roosters, over 30 different birds, carp, eel, octopus, kingyo goldfish, shrimp, tons of different fish and waterlife, dragonflies, spiders, snakes, grasshoppers, butterflies, 48 pages of assorted plants and flowers including iris, chrysanthemum, lotus, water lily, gourd, wasabi, orchid, and cherry blossoms and ending in several pages of different waves and water formations. These images are all pulled from his artwork, they are strikingly Japanese and vary in size from 1/2" to 3". Images vary from simple line drawing to very detailed full page sketches. This is a must have for and Hokusai fan as well as anyone needing a great compilation of tradition Japanese rendering of flora and fauna for their own artistic endeavors. Book is softcover with superior binding.

Ito Jakuchu Museum Collection

Size: 9.5” x 12” - Pages: 398 - Published: 2002 - Price: $470 - Binding: Hardcover w/box

This book is so badass - it was my Christmas present to myself! It is Ito Jakuchu's entire collection put out by the Kyoto National Museum. It is 200 pages of his paintings, with close up studies of some of the more popular prints - particularly the bird/water scenes. Jakuchu was born in Kyoto, Japan in 1715. He is a solitary figure in the history of Japanese painting, way ahead of his time his style decorative, elaborate and daring. He remained unknown until well after his death, when he was rediscovered in the late 19th century. This book is so thorough it comes with it's own catalog of information about each of the paintings. Insane.

Jakuchu's animals are a personal favorite....his phoenix and roosters in particular. His choice of color and attention to detail are both unique yet quintessentially Japanese. He brings subtle earth tones to life with brilliant red accents - a sun or rooster crown. His underwater scenes are equally stunning, darker yet with vivid details. His octopus is one of my favorite creatures of all times, look carefully, there is a little baby clutching on of his tentacles...awesome. This is a book for collectors. This book is appx. 9.5" x 12" and almost 400 pages. Text is in Japanese and book reads right to left, Japanese style. The print book is all imagery, very little text. The additional catalog is softcover, 150 pages and includes an introduction and list of the plates in English, as well as the Japanese explanations.

Cherry Blossoms

Size: 8.5” x 8.5” - Pages: 120 - Published: 2007 - Price: $55 - Binding: Softcover

This is brilliant collection of royalty free, kimono inspired Sakura (Cherry Blossom) imagery that comes with a WIN/MAC compatible CD of the illustrations, allowing for 1000's of color/design combinations. The book itself includes over 100 pages of designs, both full color and stencil outlines, excellent for tattoo design. There are several examples of the same design but with different colors to illustrate the versatility of this book. Text is in English. Excellent reference book.

Traditional Japanese Patterns #11 (Okinawan Fabrics)

Size: 4” x 6” - Pages: 255 - Published: 2006 - Price: $25 - Binding: Softcover

Summer Kimono and the Colors of Japan

Size: 6” x 10” - Pages: 230 - Published: 2006 - Price: $50 - Binding: Softcover

This auction is for a great book called Summer Kimonos and the Colors of Japan....with text in both English and Japanese and 230 pages of stunning images of kimonos. Well bound, on high quality paper this book is divided in to sections: Morning Glory, Eight Planked Bridge, Lily, Scouring rush, Celosai, Confederate rose, Thistle, Clematis, Dew and Grass, Autumn flowers, Japanese pampas grass, Miscanthus for roofing, Reed, Rose, Flowers native to the west, White chinese olive, Maple leaf, Hydrangea, Summer flowers and grasses, Plantain tree, Sunflower, Japanese lantern plant, Grape, Flower cart, Fish, Carp, Seashell, Goldfish, Plover, Waterfowl, Swallow, Peacock, Mayfly, Firefly, Rabbit, Flowing Water, Wave, Wave pattern, Sea, Boat, Round fan, Folding Fan, Circle, Wave circle and swirl. I have always thought kimono patterning a great resource for artists and tattoo background work. This book is perfect for collectors of Japanese design and patterns and tattoo artists in search of background inspiration.

Kimono and the Colors of Japan

Size: 6” x 10” - Pages: 235 - Published: 2005 - Price: $50 - Binding: Softcover

This is a great book called Kimono and the Colors of Japan....with an introduction in English and over 235 pages it is one of the best collections of kimono images I have seen yet. Well bound, on high quality paper this book is divided in to sections by color....each color section depicting brilliant kimonos with a large variety of subject matter. I have always thought kimono patterning a great resource for artists and tattoo background work. This book is perfect for collectors of Japanese design and patterns and tattoo artists in search of background inspiration.

Family Crests of Japan

Size: 8” x 8.5” - Pages: 154 - Published: 2001 - Price: $45 - Binding: Softcover

This is a great book for people wanting to know background information on Japanese family crests. The seals make great single image tattoos and come with an explanation in English for what the symbols means in Japan and to the family that adopted it to represent them. Also a good resource book for symbols in art and history. Again the text is in English making this an excellent resource book.

How to Draw Peony Flowers

click for sample pages....

Size: 21cm x 30cm - Pages: 112 - Published: 1999 - Price: $52 - Binding: Softcover

This is a great peony reference book complete with full color photos and step by step "how to" instructions. This book features line drawing and the corresponding shading....really all you need to create a wide variety of peony. Stock on these is limited so please understand if I have to waitlist your order. xx Gomineko

All images and text copyright Gomineko 2006-2010. Violators who lift any of my content will be shot.