龍墨Ryūboku Tattoo
Where the Old Masters Speak Through Modern Skin. · Each frame below is a finished piece from our active book.
"A true horishi does not pick up the needle until they have spent five years watching, cleaning, and learning. The art lives in that patience." — Studio Philosophy, Ryūboku Tattoo
Masters of the Form
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Kenji Watanabe
Full-Body Suits & Dragons
Kenji trained under a traditional Tokyo horishi for five years before emigrating. He works exclusively in the Japanese style and executes large-scale suits with rare compositional mastery.
@watanabe_horishi
22 年 / 22 Years
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Yuki Tanaka
Koi, Flowers & Water Elements
Yuki's koi rise from water rendered with painterly immediacy. Her peonies and chrysanthemums are the studio standard. She has completed over 40 full sleeves.
@yuki.irezumi
14 年 / 14 Years
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Daisuke "Dai" Mori
Oni, Hannya & Mythological Figures
Dai specializes in the demonic and supernatural—oni with gold clubs, hannya masks weeping cherry blossoms, tengu with impossible wings. His work commands rooms.
@dai_mori_ink
11 年 / 11 Years
Works in the Traditional Form
From First Letter to Final Session
A traditional irezumi is not booked the way a flash piece is booked. We move slowly, with intention. Most pieces take months from inquiry to first needle — and years to complete.
- Step One
Inquiry Letter
問い合わせ · ToiawaseWrite to us — not a form, a letter. Tell us the motif you carry, the placement you imagine, and why now. We read every word before we reply.
- Step Two
Consultation
相談 · SōdanIn-person at the studio. We discuss lineage, traditional symbolism, and which horishi suits your piece. Tea is served. No needles are touched.
- Step Three
Design & Deposit
下絵 · ShitaeA $200 commitment secures your spot in the calendar. Your shitae — the master sketch — is drawn over six to ten weeks, never rushed.
- Step Four
The Sessions
彫り · HoriOutlines first across one or two sittings, then colour and shading in three- to five-hour blocks spaced weeks apart. A back piece may take a year. A full suit, several.
- Step Five
Healing & Honour
癒し · IyashiAftercare is the apprentice's lesson and the client's discipline. When the work is fully settled, we photograph it for the studio archive — with your permission.
Honoring the Work
Each healing session is as important as the session itself. Irezumi demands respect at every stage.
Traditional wrap protocol
Large Japanese pieces use medical-grade wrapping. Your artist will instruct you on timing—follow their specific guidance as sessions vary.
Cold rinse, gentle cleanse
Japanese tattooing often produces more plasma. Rinse with cold water first, then cleanse with unscented antibacterial soap.
Minimal moisturizer
Less is more. A thin film of Aquaphor or Hustle Butter once or twice daily. Over-moisturizing causes ink to surface.
No tight clothing over fresh work
Back pieces and sleeves need to breathe. Loose cotton only for the first two weeks.
Expect long heal cycles for large work
Full sleeves and back pieces can take 3–6 months of sessions. Treat each session as fresh healing. Cumulative care is critical.
Protect your investment
Japanese work is a lifelong commitment. SPF 50+ on all exposed work when healed. The colors and blacks deepen beautifully when cared for.
Request a Consultation
Irezumi is a conversation between artist and skin that can last years. Before we begin, we speak. Describe your vision below and your horishi will respond within 72 hours.
A $200 deposit reserves your consultation and is applied toward your first session.
Questions & Answers
What is the cost of a Japanese sleeve?
Full sleeves typically run $3,000–$8,000+ depending on detail and number of sessions. We provide a custom quote at consultation.
How long does a full suit take?
A traditional full body suit is a multi-year commitment averaging 100–200 hours. Most clients see us monthly or bi-monthly.
Do you do small Japanese-style pieces?
Yes. We do standalone pieces—single koi, hannya masks, chrysanthemums. Minimum $250, and we design for eventual expansion if desired.
What is your age requirement?
18+ with valid government-issued photo ID. No exceptions.
Can I bring my own design?
We accept reference imagery but all compositions are original. True irezumi requires custom placement to work with the body's contours.
Do you do color or black and grey only?
Both. Traditional Japanese work uses strong color (red, blue, green, yellow). We also execute stunning black-and-grey irezumi. Discuss preference at consultation.
Find the Studio
| Monday | 定休日 |
| Tuesday | 定休日 |
| Wednesday | 12:00 PM – 8:00 PM |
| Thursday | 12:00 PM – 8:00 PM |
| Friday | 11:00 AM – 8:00 PM |
| Saturday | 10:00 AM – 8:00 PM |
| Sunday | 12:00 PM – 6:00 PM |
