Japanese Tattoo Art Design Book Magazine Gomineko Japan

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All the publications on this page are rare and hard to come by. If you see OOP written on any of the items it means it is Out Of Print. Please understand that we will do our best to keep the site up to date as far as what we actually have in stock. If a book is unavailable we will mark it as such, but will leave the information up so you can at least check out some of the imagery.

Feel free to contact us if there is a book you are looking for that is not on our site. We are pretty good at hunting rare and hard to find publications!!

Kuniyoshi's Humorous Illustrations

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Size: 10 " x 12" - Pages: 205 - Published: 1991 - Price: $550 - Hardcover

This is the second in a series of four beautiful books devoted to humorous ukiyo-e from the edo period. This one is a collection of Kuniyoshi's illustrations and includes shadowplay and anthropomorphic animals in a variety of entertaining and often lewd activities. Kuniyoshi and his contemporaries were some of the first artists to introduce humor in their creations, during a time period where the arts were dominated by Buddist imagery. This is a beautiful book and a must have for serious collectors of Japanese imagery. I get my hands on this book very rarely so if it is out of stock I will refund your payment and add you to the waiting list.

Nihon Dentou Shisei vol. 2
- Photo book with Horiyoshi III Family Tattoos

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Size: 8” x 11” - Pages: 128 - Published: 2006 - Price: $160 - Binding: Softcover

This is a new copy of Tattoo Burst's Nihon Dentou Shisei vol. 2 - a limited edition publication by the people at Tattoo Burst. THIS IS OUT OF PRINT AND RARE. Tattoo burst is one of 3 popular tattoo magazines here in Tokyo and this book recaps their best interviews with Japanese masters, including Syodai Horihito (one of my personal favorites), Horimitsu, Asakusa's Horiwaka, Syodai Horishige, Syodai Koharu, Horijin, Syodai Horitoshi, Horihide and Horisei. Lots of pics of amazing Japanese tattoos. This book boast 128 pages of amazing full color photographs, tattoo flash by the artists, photos of artists working and interviews (text in Japanese but artist name is in English at the beginning of his section)..all printed on high glossy pages and well bound. The tattoo burst people have covered the tattoo scene here in Tokyo since coming onto the scene on 2001 and have created a great compilation. A must have for any serious collector of Japanese tattoo art.

OOP Kano Hogai Collection

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Size: 10" x 12.5" - Pages: 104 - Published: 1979 - Price: $125 - Softcover

This is a must have reference book. Kano Hogai was a 19thC Japanese painter most famous for his dragons, falcon and Kannon images. He painted on silk scrolls, his style amazingly detailed, and his use of color more bold than his forefathers the ukiyo-e masters. This book boasts nice big full page images along with a couple of fold-outs - excellect for examining the intricate details in the illustrations. I have a copy now and if I don't have it in stock I will add you to our list and email you when I get another one in.

Japanese Tattoo Family - Shuho's World

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Size: 8.5” x 11” - Pages: 82 - Published: 1999 - Price: $95 - Binding: Softcover

This book is a collection of photographs of the tattoo work of three generations of The Shuho Tattoo Family, including Shuho III - one of the only women in the business. Very cool book. This book includes some great full page, full color photos of backpieces and body suits, as well as a few pages of sketches, a detailed biography (in Japanese) and photographs from the family photo album.

Japanese Tattooing - RANSHO- Photos of Masato Sudo

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Size: 12” x 12” - Pages: 143 - Published: 1985 - Price: $160 - Binding: Hardcover w/cardboard sleeve

This is a beautiful, used copy of JAPANESE TATTOOING RANSHO: The Photos of Masato Sudo. It includes 143 pages of amazing pull color photography of tattooed skin. This is an art book, not really tattoo reference, rather a study of tattooed skin. The subjects have body suits loaded with amazing traditional Japanese motifs. There are a couple really striking photos of a naked tattooless woman contrasted nicely next to fully tattooed bodies. Really well done - Sudo has a great eye and his photography is captivating. Book itself is nice and large and comes in a cardboard sleeve. Some obvious shelf wear on the sleeve but it did it's job - the book itself is in mint condition.

Kyosai's 100 Ghosts - OOP

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Size: 7” x 10” - Pages: 148 - Published: 2002 - Price: $95 - Binding: Hardcover

This is a copy of Kyosai's 100 Apparitions, an amazing collection of prints from one of the most macabre Ukiyo-e printers. This book is now OUT OF PRINT. Kyosai was a student of Kuniyoshi and these two stand out among the painters from the floating world for their renditions of things strange, weird and frightening. Kyosai was an avid Sake drinker and an amazing storyteller, he enjoyed frightening his audiences and could always touch a nerve with his vivid imagination. He has been said to spare no canvas in his paintings, they are busy and multifaceted, the center object rarely being what captures the eye after the initial reaction of shock wears off. Hiding in the background are oni (japanese mythological demons), ghosts, skeletons and blood hungry ghouls. (plus several things I can't identify). His pieces are brilliant for larger tattoo pieces and has a hundred little images that would make great tattoos as well. This will be one of those books you don't want to leave around the shop but pull out for your favorite customers, pieces you can truly get excited about. The book would also make a great addition to any ukiyo-e collection. Text is Japanese.

Traditional Japanese Tigers Paintings - OOP

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Size: 8.5” x 12” - Pages: 104 - Published: 1985 - Price: $120 - Binding: Hardcover w/ Cardboard sleeve

This is a beautiful and out of print reference book on drawing tradition Japanese tigers. It is used but in great condition and is hardback in a cardboard sleeve. This book includes predominately sumi-e (ink) paintings. The first 16 pages has full page, full color paintings; the rest are black and white. Images are full page and the tigers vary in style, position and manner. This is the best Japanese tiger reference book I have come across and it is really too bad it was not reprinted. Great reference book for artists and collectors both.

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.

Yamato Damashii - Tattoos by Hokuoh I - RARE

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Size: 8.5” x 12” - Published: 2004 - Price: $250 - Binding: Hardcover

This book, YAMATO DAMASHII is one of a limited edition 1500 set and it is stunning. It is used but in good condition. The book starts with an introduction to Tebori, by the artist...Hokuoh I, in English as well as Japanese...and follows with over 100 pages of beautifully captured, full page images of tattoos by one of the few Tebori (hand tattoo) masters. The images are full page and the color is stunning. This book is beautiful....well bound and pages done on nice thick paper. Tattoo imagery tends follows traditional Japanese motifs, gods, dragons, carp, tigers and the like. This book is very rare- I have 2 in stock at present.

Covergirls by Katsuya Terada OOP

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Size: 10” x 15” - HUGE - Pages: 124 - Published: 2000 - Price: $120 - Binding: Hardcover

Katsuya Terada's book Covergirls is amazing. It is definitely his culminate publication and is now out of print and really hard to find! It is well bound and comes in a box. The set includes a sticker set. The book itself is full color and full of stunning full page ladies. His girls are not dainty, per se, they are Frank Miller's Sin City meets Mizuno's Hell Babies! Awesome. He delves into realms of Fantasy and Sci-Fi as well as robot and android - bio creations. Rather tank girl-esque. The girls are full page and detailed, the images crisp. Very, very cool. If you are looking for some great new Japanese eye candy, pick this up.

Awesome OOP Anna Tsubaki Book

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Size: 7” x 9” - Pages: 100 - Published: 2001 - Price: $70 - Binding: Softcover

This is an awesome book, I love Anna Tsubaki!! It is called AN UKIYO-E HUNDRED SCENES OF THE YOUNG EDO BUDDIES and is a quite rare collection, I just found five at a back alley store in Jimbocho. Tsubaki skillfully blends a sleek contemporary art style with traditional ukiyo-e like printwork. Brilliant colors and crisp renditions of tattooed street warriors and punk kids in kimono. Artful fusion of old and new Japanese culture is reminiscent of Tenmyouya Hisashi. Full page, brilliantly colored prints. 100's of images that would make excellent tattoos and loaded with imagery that will hopefully spark original ideas. This book is limited edition and out of print. It is used, in excellent condition, text is in Japanese and English.

Japanese Ghost Paintings - OOP

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Size: 9” x 12” - Pages: 170 - Published: 1995 - Price: $250 - Binding: Hardcover

This is a brand new copy of Japanese Ghost Piantings: The Sanyutei Encho Collection at Zensho-an. THIS BOOK IS RARE AND OUT OF PRINT. It is an amazing book featuring 50 color plates of full page images on Ghosts as the Japanese perceive them. Truly insightful on what this culture considers horrific and scary. I showed this book to a friend here to double check my translations and she wouldn't look inside. Funny. Including works by: Maruyama Okyo, Ijima Koga, SHibata Zeshin, Ikeda Akayo, Kawabata Gyokusho, Kikuchi Yosai, Watanabe Seitei, Matsumoto Fuko, Tani Bun'ichi, Suzuki Seiichi, Tsukioka Yoshitoshi, Utagawa Kuniyoshi, Utagawa Hiroshige, Utagawa Hoen, Katsubunsai, Kawanabe Kyosai, Ogata Gekko, Ito Seiu, Nakamura Honchu, Setsuo, Hiresaki Eiho, Imamura SHiko, Koson, Issei, Kawakami Togai, Gotai, Rinrin, Hyodo Rinsei, Hagiwara Honshu, Bunryu, Reiboku, Nankai, Tokin, Takahashi Getsuan, Takashima Kanroku, Hagiwara SHugan, Sanyutei Encho.
All plates are works in hanging scroll format. Many artist have since published volumes of their own work like Kyosai, Kuniyoshi and Hiroshige.
The book is hardback with thick high quality pages. First 50 pages are the scrolls, the next sections include discussions on the collection, the perception of Ghosts in Japan and interviews w/some of the artist..unfortunately text is in Japanese. There is an English table of contents and the index of plates in the back (title, artist size) is also in English....which helps.
This is a brilliant collection of Japanese ghost paintings. The collection includes some of the most famous macabre illustrations and the book itself is nice and big....great presentation.

Japanese Ghosts Book - RARE

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Size: 8.5” x 11” - Pages: 152 - Published: 1997 - Price: $80 - Binding: Softcover

This book is an amazing collection of traditional Japanese ghost imagery. I ran across it years ago and haven't been able to find another copy until recently. Very, Very cool. Ghosts from both Ukiyo-e and paintings, monochrome and color, as well as photos from Noh plays - a brilliant collection.This book is used but in great condition. It reads right to left, Japanese style and the text is in Japanese but it includes more than enough pictures to make it worth the $$$. It is a brilliant reference book for anyone wishing to delve a little deeper into Japanese macabre art.

Ozuma Kaname's Tattooed Beauties OOP

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Size: 6” x 9” - Pages: 239 - Published: 2006 - Price: $125 - Binding: Softcover

I just got my paws on this awesome little book - used but in near mint condition. It is softcover and 239 pages of full color/full page prints - no text, all paintings. This was a limit printing and these books are hard to find, even here in Japan. Born in Niigata, Japan in 1939 Kaname incorperates two of his perceived world of beauty into his artwork - tattooed Japanese women and shibari (Japanese rope bondage). His work is often inspired by customers of his friend, master tattooist Horiyoshi III. This collection of works is all shibari and quite intense. A must have for Kaname collectors.

Shienrenjo by Ozuma Kaname - OOP

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Size: 8.5” x 11” - Pages: 129 - Published: 2007 - Price: $120 - Binding: Softcover

This is a brand new, beautiful copy of Ozuma Kaname's SHIENRENJO. Born in Niigata, Japan in 1939 Kaname's art draws from traditional Japanese themes - gods and demons. The majority of his prints are designed for tattooing, and his work is often used by master tattooist Horiyoshi III, who's customers, in turn, often model for Kaname . This fourth collection of works is vivid. It is very similar to his 2nd book, TATTOOING - predominately Japanese Shibari - all the women are bound. As a matter of fact, all of you still looking for a copy of TATTOOING that won't run you $500.00+ you will be very pleased with this book. No text, all paintings.....this is a first edition, and copies are limited.

Tattooing - Ozuma Kaname OOP

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Size: 8.5” x 11” - Pages: 142 - Published: 2000 - Price: $575 - Binding: Hardcover w/box

This is a beautiful, mint condition copy of Ozuma Kaname's 2nd book TATTOOING. Incredibly hard to get, I happened across this copy in a bookstore that specializes in rare/hard to find books.

Born in Niigata, Japan in 1939, Ozuma Kaname's art draws from traditional Japanese themes - gods and demons. The majority of his prints are designed for tattooing, and his work often inspires master tattooist Horiyoshi III, and he, in turn, paints many of Horiyoshi III's female clients. This second collection of works is truly remarkable. There is an afterward by Horiyoshi III in both Japanese and English as well as one by Kaname himself. This volume is predominately Shibari art - Japanese rope binding - so is graphic in nature. It is hardback, bound in blue silk and comes in a cardboard box for protection. First edition, first printing.

Noh Photo Book - OOP

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Size: 6” x 9” - Pages: 386 - Published: 2004 - Price: $160 - Binding: Softcover

This is an amazing book, 386 pages of images of amazing Noh imagery. This is the best Noh book I have found and I don't quite understand why it is out of print but is it. It includes brilliant and numerous full page, full color photographs as well as text in both English and Japanese. The PIE group really did a good job with this one. This is a brilliant reference book for any artist interested in traditional Noh imagery.

Japanese Koi (Carp) Reference Book

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Size: 9” x 12” - Pages: 85 - Published: 1985 - Condition: USED - GOOD CONDITION - Price: $70 - Binding: Softcover

This is a great Japanese Koi (Carp) Designs Book - a compilation of sumi-e ink imagery. 64 full page monochrome images of koi in different positions and with different markings. This is a Japanese painting reference book. This book is now out of print and rare. It is used, in excellent condition, softcover and well bound appx. 9" x 12" - 85 pages in total. Text is in Japanese, book reads right to left.

Drawing Buddhist Gods & Deities

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Size: 8.5” x 11.5” - Pages: 102 - published: 1984 - Price: $150 - Binding: Softcover

This book is a great collection of line and full color drawings of Buddhist gods and deities. This book includes over 100 pages of illustrations - 40 full color images and 50 outlines. Text is in Japanese but minimal. This is one of the best collections I have come across. It is incredibly detailed and the pages are nice and big. A great book for anyone interested in Buddhist art and imagery and the 50 outlines in the latter part of the book would be brilliant tattoo flash. This is an awesome resource book.

Maneki Neko Lucky Cat Book

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Size: 6” x 8” - Pages: 144 - Published: 2002 - Price: $55 - Binding: Softcover

Ok kids. This book is cool and, unfortunately, out of print so snatch this one up now if you want it. It is a book on Japanese Maneki Neko "Lucky Cat" statues that are found in just about every busness establishment here in Japan. The text is all in Japanese but the book has tons of photos of different Maneki Neko.

Kyosai's Humorous Illustrations - OOP-

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Size: 10 " x 12" - Pages: 179 - Published: 1992 - Price: $400 - Hardcover

This is the third in a series of four beautiful books devoted to humorous ukiyo-e from the edo period. This one is a collection of Kyosai's illustrations and is probably my favorite Kyosai publication. Kyosai was incredibly font of animals and his anthropomorphic figures are uncannily accurate. His puckish sense of humor comes out in his illustrations which are at once brilliant both in color and composition and mischievous in nature. A must have. . I get my hands on this book very rarely so if it is out of stock I will refund your payment and add you to the waiting list.

Namakubi (Severed Heads) by Horiyoshi III Out of Print

Price: $750 - Binding: Hardcover with a cardboard sleeve - the pages are not Bound but loose prints..

This is Japanese tattoo master Horiyoshi III's 3rd collection of drawings called The Namakubi. It is presented like the 100 Demons and 108 Heroes, hardback, in a cardboard sleeve, but this collection is folded beautifully in dark brown cloth. Nama (fresh) Kubi (neck) is a collection of 30 sketches of severed heads. The sketches are not bound, the are loose prints wrapped in paper in 3 sets of 10, which rest within the cloth binding/cover. Prints are perfect for framing. Hard to describe so I photographed the presentation. The book is huge, B4 size (appx. 10" x 14.5") and the prints are the same size. All 30 are produced on thick, high quality paper, they are black and white sketches (with red blood and hanko - his signature chop). The sketches are fantastic, very gruesome ....made more so by the intricate and ornate backgrounds. Truly stunning. Text in Japanese.This books is out of print and the publisher has no plans to reprint. OUT OF PRINT.

JapaneseSpirit by Tenmyouya Hisashi -OOP

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Size: 8 " x 11.5" - Pages: 82 - Published: 2003 - Price: $100 - Softcover

This is the first collection of works by Japanese artist Tenmyouya Hisashi, now out of print. I'm a huge fan of his art. He brings in ancient ideology, there is a definite feeling of pride in being Japanese in all his work, and he captures and depicts a combination of old and new Japan that I think is evident in all aspects of Japanese society (or what I've seen of it). His graphics are very clear and crisp. His machines are amazing, and I love the tattooed animals. He's taken ideas represented in manga and anime and given them depth, and his images reflect the juxtapoz that generation Y holds in it's heart. Text and titles in Japanese and English, includes an explination of the works in the back, in English, by the artists himself. A truly brilliant collection of artwork.

Nihon Dentou Shisei vol. 1
- Photo book with Horiyoshi III Family Tattoos

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Size: 8” x 11” - Pages: 127 - Published: 2003 - Price: $160 - Binding: Softcover

This is a a new copy of Tattoo Burst's Nihon Dentou Shisei vol. 1 - now out of print and very rare. Tattoo burst is one of three popular tattoo magazines here in Tokyo and this book recaps their best interviews with Japanese tebori (hand tattoo) masters, including Horiyoshi III, Horikazu, Horiyasu, Horitomo, Horisuzu, Daimonbori III, Horikoi, and Hokuoh. This book boast 127 pages of color photographs, flash, photos of artists working and interviews (text in Japanese but artist name is in English at the beginning of his section) Book has high glossy pages and is well bound. The tattoo burst people have covered the tattoo scene here in Tokyo since coming onto the scene on 2001 and have created a great compilation. A must have for any serious collector of Japanese tattoo art.

Women in Tattoo by Ozuma Kaname - OOP

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Size: 28cm x 38cm - Pages: 159 - Published: 1995 - Price: $800 - Hardcover w/ Cardboard slipcase

This book is epic and a must have for any serious collector of Japanese tattoo imagery. It is actually Kaname's second book, but is believed to be his first by many because it is the first time he incorporated tattoos in his illustrations. Beautifully bound, this book includes not only 146 pages of imagery, it concludes with an essay on the History and Technique of Tattooing in Japan by Horiyoshi III....translated into English as well as a translated afterward by the artists himself. This book is predominately portraits of tattooed women and does not include shibari (robe bondage) imagery found in his later collections.

Catfish in Ukiyo-e OOP

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Size: 7.5 " x 10" - Pages: 390 - Published: 1995 - Price: $160 - Hardcover

This is definitely one for collectors. It is an entire book on Japanese Catfish in art and it is awesome. Catfish in Ukiyo-e, paintings, Netsuki, ceramics, catfish photos, cooked catfish and catfish sketches. If you've got your fill of dragon, tiger and koi books and are ready for something a little more obscure....this is it. Lots of text but definitely enough imagery to make this one a must have for collectors. I found a copy last year for my personal collection and have been able to hunt down another copy but these are not easy to come by so please understand if it is not available.

Tattoos in Ukiyo-e OOP

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Size: 8.5 " x 12" - Pages: 211 - Published: 1976 - Price: $575 Hardcover w/Silpcase

This book is epic. A beautiful cloth bound hardback filled with full page color reproductions of ukiyo-e prints that feature tattooed individuals. Heavily prevelent are firemen portraits from the edo period when tattoos served as emblems of protection, strength and heroism. This collection boasts over 80 prints as well 11 double page fold outs. It is the only book available devoted to tattoos in Ukiyoe and is a collectors dream both in presentation and content.

Illustrations of Animals & Plants in Edo Era - OOP

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Size: 8" x 10" - Pages: 162 - Published: 1988 - Price: $150 - softcover

This is one of my favorite books on Japanese animals. Ever. I have dibs on the bat in the photos...he's gonna hang from my knee in the not too distant future. This book includes heaps of underwater creatures - insane fish, crab, prawn, lobsters; insects and butterflies, frogs, snails, birds, plants and flowers and best of all, except for about 5 Jakuchu plates, I haven't seen any of this imagery before. This one is a goldmine, the animals are unique and reflective of Japan's very distinct artistic eye. This book is used, in excellent condition and at present I have 2 in stock. If you order it and it is not in stock your name will be added to our wait list and you will be notified when I run across another copy.

The Early Works of Toshio Saeki

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Size: 8 " x 11.5" - Pages: 156 - Published: 1996 - Price: $100 - softcover

This one is for collectors. Saeki has brought sick and twisted to such new heights it's interesting to look back at these early illstrations and see where he started. His signature schoolgirl victim features prominently along with a goulish cast of twitchy salivating protagonists and a barrage of insects, severed limbs and bloody parts. This book is comprised entirely of monochrome illustrations, the majority full page and the little text there is, is in Japanese.

Suehiro Maruo's Maruograph I - OOP

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Size: 7.5 " x 10.5" - Pages: 88 - Published: 1996 - Price: $100 - hardcover

Suehiro Maruo is Japan's prince of "ero-guru" - erotic grotesque manga. His imagery is unsettling at first and rapidly becomes well, offensive. Cute circus attired heroines, insects, eyeballs, haunting protagonists with shaded faces, moths, dripping faces, tentacles, vomit, cracks, blood....all lend themselves graciously to Maruo's canvas and reemerge in grim playgrounds for evil. This book is out of print and includes both color plates as well as monochrome illustrations. A must have for manga collectors or Japanophiles with a proclivity for wickedness.

Rare Shohaku Exhibition Catalog - OOP

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Size: 9 " x 12 " - Pages: 196 - Published: 1998 - Price: $180 - softcover

This is a really rare Soga Shohaku book unique in that it is the only one I've come across that has the illustration he did on the hundreds of little foo dogs diving off a cliff. There are several amazing Shohaku survey books in the Ukiyo-e section of the website, but if you are a serious collector and would like to be pleasantly surprised with some fresh images, pick this one up. I only get them in every once in a while so if it's not in stock, I'll refund your money and put you on the wait list, or you can drop me a mail to see if I have one in. Gomineko

Perverse Pleasures - OOP Shibari Book

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Size: 10" x 7.5" - Pages: 116 - Published: 1996 - Price: $80 - hardcover

This is a collection of Japanese shibari (rope bondage) photos and illustrations from a slew of Japanese artists including Ozuma Kaname and Namio Hurukawa. Ladies half exposed in kimono - tied up, western girls for hire - tied up, naked girl in forest - tied up, and of course Kaname's tastefully tied up tattooed ladies - this book runs the shibari gamut. The pictures I scanned in were the most innocent in the whole book.

Japanese Tattoo Arts - Horikazu I - OOP

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Size: 9.5" x 12.5" - Pages: 154 - Published: 2003 - Price: $250 - Softcover in Cardboard Slipcase

This is a gorgeous collection of photos of the work of now deceased Shodai Horizaku Shisei. All full page and predominately color, photos of his wabori work. He headed a predominant family here in Tokyo that tattoos in Asakua and his work is well know within the more surreptitious underground tattoo circles.

Humorous Illustrations from the Edo Period

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Size: 10 " x 12" - Pages: 158 - Published: 1988 - Price: $275 - Hardcover

This is the first in a series of beautiful books devoted to humorous ukiyo-e from the edo period. This one features a lot of faces that shift when the page is turned upside down, faces composed of similar faces, humans in animal poses, some great tanuki with prolific scrotum, shadowplay, and plays on Japanese words. The Japanese downplayed humor in their culture for such a long time that even now, it often seems quite innocent and a little odd. This collection reflects what people found funny during the edo period and illustrates what people did then to amuse themselves.

All Misemono - The Last Freak Show - Rare Japanese Circus Sideshow Book

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Size: 12" x 8.5 " - Pages: 98 - Published: 1997 - Price: $425 - Spiral Bound with a cover

This book is incredible. Granted I'm obsessed with freakshows and traveling circuses, but this one has the added bonus of being from Japan! It is 98 pages of photos and sideshow art, and most of the pages are actually fold outs. Carnie women with snakes running nose to mouth, Carnies eating the heads off livestock, mermaids, fireeaters and daredevils, performing animals, midgets....they're all here, with the added dimension of the odd Japanese sense of the macabre. This book is for collectors. It's hard to find, I have a copy now and if I don't have it in stock I will add you to our list and email you when I get another one in.

OOP Hardback Kano Hogai Collection

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Size: 10.5" x 13 " - Pages: 128 - Published: 1976 - Price: $225 - Hardback with a Cover

This is a beautiful book. Kano Hogai was a 19thC Japanese painter most famous for his dragons, falcon and Kannon images. He painted on silk scrolls, his style amazingly detailed, and his use of color more bold than his forefathers the ukiyo-e masters. This book is a nice sturdy hardback in a slipcover printed on high grade paper. It boasts nice big full page images along with a couple of fold- outs... excellent for examining the intricate details in the illustrations. The hardback copies are quite rare.....I have a copy now and if I don't have it in stock I will add you to our list and email you when I get another one in.

Nippon Youkai Chizu (Japan Monster Map)

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This book is called NIPPON YOUKAI CHIZU (Japan Monster Map) and it traces the stories of monsters in art and folklore to their geographical locations. There is a map of Japan and a key to where the monsters and demons included in the book are reputed to hail from. MORE IMPORTANTLY, it is an AMAZING compilation of all the BAKEMONO and YOUKAI (ghosts and monsters) found in traditional ukiyo-e artwork. It includes great illustrations from Kuniyoshi, Yoshitoshi and Kyosai as well as a few I haven't heard of before but am researching now. This is the best compilation I have seen as of yet. Text is in Japanese. This book includes 160 full color, glossy pages full of a large assortment of odd, impish and creepy monsters perfect for tattoo design. This is a great book to keep around the shop for reference. It is now out of print and quite rare, I do have copies in stock fairly often but if I don't at the time of your order I will refund your payment and add you to the wait list. Thanks for understanding....Gomineko

Size: 9” x 12” - Pages: 160 - Published: 1996 - Price: $125 - Binding: Softcover

Rare exhibition Catalog - Ghost and Namakubi Imagery

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Size: 8" x 11.5" - Pages: 84 - Price: $100 - Softcover

This is a cool exhibition catalog that features some of the more dark Japanese artwork. Kano Kazunobu imagery, Kyosai and Ekin are but a few of the artitsts featured within. 66 full page, full color plates of some amazing artwork. This is a must have for collectors. I have one copy now and if I don't have it in stock I will add you to our list and email you when I get another one in.

Rare Book of Kinbaku (Rope Bondage) Illustrations

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Size: 7.5 " x 9 " - Pages: 164 - Published: 2002 - Price: $150 - Hardcover w/Cardboard Sleeve

This is a hard to find collection of Kinbaku (Shibari/rope bondage) art and includes both photos and illustrations. Many of the images are scenes from the Tokugawa Period where women were considered property and often tied like animals and used for amusement, the games often being quite creative and cruel. This book illustrates the Japanese mindset and environment that modern day kinbaku developed from, and lends insight into how Japanese shibari differs from Western bondage imagery. In the Japanese imagery the woman is never portrayed as anything but miserable and humiliated, and a lot of attention is paid to her facial expression. This book is out of print, I have 1 in stock, if I cannot fill your order I will refund your payment and put your name on our waiting list.

Rare Japanese Exhibition Catalog

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Size: 8.5 " x 12.5" - Pages: 112 - Published: 1994 - Price: $85 - Softcover

This is cool exhibition catalog I picked up today for myself only to realize I already had it. It includes some great Hogai Illustrations as well as some others I haven't seen before in print. The artwork is full color, full page and all the text is in Japanese. This book is out of print, I have 1 in stock, if I cannot fill your order I will refund your payment and put your name on our waiting list.

Ito Hikozo Illustrations - My Favorite Samurai Reference Book.

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Size: 8.5” x 12” - Pages: 200 - Published: 2006 - Price: $210 - Softcover

This is the coolest book of Samurai and Ronin illustrations I've ever run across. Hikozo Ito's depictions of the Heroes of the Suikoden are mind blowing. The book includes a wide range of warriors spying, fighting, riding....- all done with intense attention to detail. The story of the 108 heroes of the Suikoden goes back to an old Chinese novel about 108 honorable bandits similar to Robin Hood and his merry men. At the beginning of the 19th century it became very popular in Japan and became one of the favorite subjects of Japanese prints. Text is in Japanese but minimal, predominately monochrome images printed on high quality paper.

This book is out of print and at present I do have 1 in stock, if I cannot fill your order I will refund your payment and put your name on our waiting list.

Kano Hogai Illustrations - Very Rare

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Size: 9.5” x 11” - Pages: 129 - Published: 1988 - Price: $185 - Softcover

This is an awesome collection of Japanese master artist Kano Hogai, one of my personal favorites. Hogai was a 19th C Japanese painter most famous for his dragons, falcon and Kannon images. He painted on silk - scrolls - and his style is a lot more detailed, his use of color more bold than his forefathers of this same imagery - the ukiyo-e masters. Hogai illustrates some of the first Western influence in style and consequently was asked to exhibit in Paris in 1876. This book was published by the Yamate Museum of Art and was the catalogue for a show commemorating the century of his death. The book boasts 129 pages - the first 82 are full prints with titles in English and Japanese, followed by a biography in Japanese, that is then translated in English. Very considerate! Book reads right to left, Japanese style.

This book is out of print and at present I do have 1 in stock, if I cannot fill your order I will refund your payment and put your name on our waiting list.

Geijutsu Shincho September 1994

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Size: 21 ” x 28 ” - Pages: 144 - Published: 1994 - Price: $80 - Softcover

This is an old magazine devoted to grim and graphic imagery. It includes bloody ukiyo-e, some of Yoshitoshi's ghost prints, images of decapitations, seppuku and murdered and now vengeful ghosts....lots of haunting imagery.

This book is out of print and at present I do have 1 in stock, if I cannot fill your order I will refund your payment and put your name on our waiting list.

Horimono in Japan

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Size: 18.5 ” x 23 ” - Pages: 144 - Published: 1973 - Price: $275 - Softcover

This is an old and super rare book on Japanese tattoos.It's amazing. I have one in my personal collection I found years ago and just picked up this duplicate copy over the weekend. It includes both color and monochrome ukiyo-e with tattoo imagery, some wonderfully dated Japanese people showing off their tattoowork, examples of tattoos in the old samurai movies, photos of tebori being performed, photos of festivals like the sanja matsuri where tattooed men in fundoshi gather to celebrate. There is a photo of a removed tattooed skin as well as photos of Western style tattoos of the time period. This book is a piece of history.

This book is out of print and really hard to find. I do have 1 in stock but if you want it get it now because I cannot guarantee running across another copy.

Geijutsu Shincho February 2000

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Size: 21 ” x 28 ” - Pages: 160 - Published: 2000 - Price: $80 - Softcover

This is an old magazine that features graphic and unsettling imagery.. This issue includes some of Kyosai's bloody ukiyo-e and artwork, some Shohaku, some Hogai and Mizuki's creepy kappa. They are but a few of the many odd illustrations within this publication....lots and lots of food for thought in here!

This book is out of print and at present I do have 1 in stock, if I cannot fill your order I will refund your payment and put your name on our waiting list.

Rare Drawing Daruma Book from 1979 - OOP

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Size: 8.5” x 12” - Pages: 126 - Published: 1979 - Price: $150 - Binding: Hardcover

This is a gorgeous book devoted to drawing daruma. It features both sketches and full color illustrations and has daruma as both a doll and in human form. The artwork is instructional and it includes a section devoted to facial details: eyes, ears, nose, beard, lips, eyebrows etc. This book is full of great full color photographs and imagery. Lots of reference material and out of print so I will try to keep this stocked but if it is not available I will notify you by email.

Rare Fudo Myoo Temple Circular

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Size: 7" x 10 " - Pages: 16 - Published: 2011 - Price: $48 - Softcover

Rad little 16 pages circular featuring 10 Fudo Myoo images in ukiyo-e and stone as well as a great illustration of his sword.

RARE Kyosai Collection - OOP

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Size: 9" x 11" - Pages: 148 - Published: 1998 - Price: $220 - Softcover

This is a super rare book from a Kyosai exhibition and featuring a lot of his yurei (ghost) and yokai imagery. I only have to one copy and it is definitely for collectors. I've seen this book only a few times in my 15 years here so snatch it up quick.

Suehiro Maruo MARUOGRAPH II - OOP

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Size: 7.5" x 10" - Pages: 120 - Published: 1996 - Price: $100 - Hardcover

This book is a must have for Maruo followers. Start to finish creepiness in the form of small girls, bats and eyeballs, floating heads and snakes and skulls, evil ninja, cute little manga bunnies on the attack - this is thru the rabbit hole level weirdness and requires a very open mind and several hours to take in. Awesome and out of print.

Rare Japanese Book of John Gould Bird Illustrations

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Size: 7" x 10" - Pages: 162 - Published: 1990 - Price: $85 - Hardcover in cardboard slipcase

This is a beautiful hardback collection of bird illustrations from John Gould. It is a Japanese publication so all text is in Japanese but the bird imagery makes it worth it. This book Awesome and out of print.

Geijutsu Shincho August 2012 - Amazing Ghost Issue!! OOP

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Size: 8" x 11" - Pages: 168 - Published: 2012 - Price: $80 - Softcover

This issue of Geijutsu Shincho RULES!! Such a great magazine. This one covers a recent exhibition on antique Japanese Ghost painting as well as an article on Okiku, one of my favorite ghost stories. So so so many great ghost, yurei and obake in here, including some I've never seen before. This issue sold out almost immediately and it is worth every penny!

Edodako - Edo Era Japanese Kites Book - OOP

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Size: 9" x 11.5" - Pages: 160 - Published: 1988 - Price: $280 - Hardcover w/case - Used in good condition

This book is really cool. It is a collection of Japanese Tako (Kite) Illustrations which mirror Japanese tattoo motif beautifully. Cover to cover full page, full color handpainted images boasting some amazing warriors, koi, tigers, cranes, Yokai and monsters, Daruma and other deities, Noh characters like Hyottoko....it's a really cool book. More imagery that text (what text there is, is in Japanese) this is a brilliant referece book for anyone wishing to veer a little to the left of the woodblock artists that pop up so frequently in wabori. This book offers a different perspective on classic motifs. It is quite rare and if I do not have one in stock I will notify you via email and add your name to the wait list.

Rare Book on Yurei - Very Limited Stock

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Size: 6" x 8" - Pages: 194 - Published: 1973 - Price: $170 - Softcover

This is a really cool book on Japanese Ghosts, I run across it from time to time so please be patient if it isn't in stock when you order it. I will do my best to hunt a copy up for you. This book boasts both monochrome and full color images, tons of stuff I haven't seen elsewhere which makes it such a great reference book. Lots of great yurei images perfect for large scale pieces to gap fillers, this is a rad little book.

Traditional Japanese Hawk Illustrations - OOP

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Size: 7.5" x 10.5" - Pages: 132 - Price: $120 - Hardcover

This is a hard to find book on Japanese hawks. It includes some amazing fully rendered illustrations as well as sketches, single line drawings perfect to build from for tattooing and close ups on some of the more difficult areas like the wings. This book sis part of a series that includes a book on dragons and one on tigers. I am trying to find those as well. I have 1 of these in stock at the moment, please understand that if the book is not in stock when you order, you will be notified by email and added to the wait list. xo Gomineko

Shigeru Mizuki Exhibition Book - OOP

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Size: 9" x 11.5" - Pages: 132 - Price: $120 - Hardcover

This is my favorite book on Shigeru Mizuki because it illustrates the artists that he finds inspiration in. There are some yokai images in here I haven't seen in any other book. As an exhibition catalog it is pretty hard to come by so again, if I do not have it in stock you will be notified by email and added to the wait list. This is a must have for anyone interested in Japanese monsters.

All images and text copyright Gomineko 2006-2012. Violators who lift any of my content will be shot.